New-York tribune., 1901-07-21

harbOr.
But one day John took her for walk along
the beach and found her a shady seat In the
shelter of great bowlder. Then. stretching
himself on the sand at her feet. he outlined
plan to which she finally haif-heartedly consent
ed with a tear In her eye and a sigh in her
heart.
my little Derelict." he said holding her hand
in his II shall make but more voyage be-
fore we are married. am going long DIS
tance, Nancy-to the far off fhores OF lnola-
But when 1 return. I shall bring to you the
precious stones and rare goods which nave SO
many times promised you. / shall De gone lor
many, many months Nancy, but 1 shall return
and we shall live in cottage overlooking the
sea-"
Miss Nancy gazed far away at the misty INK
between the sky and the sea and made no reply.
But every hour of the day I shall think of
you my little Derelict. and as often as can
shall send you a message. Should any great
length of time elapse without word from me- 90
not doubt my constancy; rather think OF me as
dead for death alone can Danish from my heart
the image of my blue eyed Derelict."
He kissed her then, and she bravely sti1eo
sob In her throat and bade him godspeed.
And when the Nancy sailed out of Fairport
Harbor on that bright June morning. Miss Nancy
stood on the beach and waved a handkerchieI
so long as a bit of the black hull could be dis-
carnsd against the horizon that stretched across
the sea like a deep blue ribbon. Then she
walked slowly back to her cottage and SANK
into a chair with her face in her hands
And the schooner Nancy never more sailed
into Fairport Harbor
During the many years Miss Nancy divided
her time between cheering the sorrowins hearts,
nursing the sick or assisting the poor Of the VII
zip TO sea
light burned brightly in her window
No direct word came from John after his nrst
two letters but one day sailor drifted INTO the
village who said the Nancy had gone down OH
the Indian coast and that John Cragston hao
died with his face the west and far away
look IN his eyes.
Miss Nancy nourished her sorrow in silence,
and the story the old sailor told was balm TO
her wounds.
In the twilight hour she loved to walk along
the beach where John had led her that June
day. and seating herself In the shelter Oh the
great bowlder. gaze out to sea-
| There 1t was that big. broad shouldered man.
coming swiftly along the beach one evening.
found her. He threw himself down on the sand
| at her feet and she uttered sudden. sharp
cry and covered her face with her hands.
And then he told her that the Nancy had In
deed been wrecked of the coast Of India, but ne
had been picked up by a passing steamer and
carried to Calcutta. There he had fallen under
the influence of a wonan's dark eyes. and upon
her he had lavished all his fortune and his ar
fection When his money was squandered she
had scorned him, and, ashamed. repentant. and
still loving he had returned to Fairport 20 beg
Nancy's forgiveness.
'I have brought the Jewels and the silks. my
little Derelict." he said.
| Miss Nancy gave herself up TO bitter tears.
which finally she conquered and gazed at him
with never a smile her face. Rising 70 her
feet at last she said. IN a strange voice:
"It was your love I wanted. not your Jewels
or your silks. Why have you broken my heart
with this confession OF your deceit? 'Twere
sweeter to have always thought Of you as dying
with your face to the west and a far away look
! in your eyes"
! Then she left him lying the sand and
walked sadly along the beach 10 her home. John
Cragston staggered to his feet. finally. and
| turned his face again TO the east He was never
more seen in Fairport, and Miss Nancy remained
a derelct.