The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-11-22


pray. Andrew Fairweather, what right
have you to talk to me like that"
For a little while Andrew was
silent His voice was hoarse, and
trembling when he spoke again, with
his mouth close to her ear
Jean" he said 'its a strange, wild
place to talk of love, but you know
would give all / have in the world to
gain the right Of taking care Of you"
The earnest passion in his tone made
the girls face soften a little, but her
reply was firm.
Il know that you love, Andrew, and
I wlsh-I do wish that 1t wasn't so.
have often told you often-far too
often-that 1t can never be-"
Andrew was silent for q long time,
and look of gloomy despair settled
on his face. At last, however, he
reused himself.
ANY way, JEAN" he persisted 81
don't see what good you're dom out
here. The Daredevil will come in all
right You know your fathers the
best steersman in the town"
MY father?' said Jean. MY father
is not out tonight"
mot out? Then who" He
stopped short suddenly, starting as
though some one had struck him a
blow. Gradually he realized what 1t
meant "Jean," he shouted hoarsely,
sis it Jim you're watching for?"
There was a strange usefulness, al
cost an appeal, in the girls voice as
she replied so quietly that Andrew
scarcely heard the words.
Eyes. Andrew, it is Jim that I'm
watching for"
There was a long pause; both hearts
were too full to speak, though with
far different emotions. Andrews
frank, weather-beaten countenanco
was hard set as he stared yacantly be-
fore him.
JEAN" he said at last, 81 know
Jim's a good sort, and l promise you
If he comes home safe tonight III
never bother you again as long as ]
live"
The tears in the girls eyes were not
all due to the wind and salt water as
she replied in a trembling voice.
THANK you, Andrew You're 6
good sort, too, and-and-Im sorry"
AT least, you'll let me watch will
you tonight till he comes?" he asked
, trying to speak cheerfully, though hi
heart was aching.
IF you wish, Andrew" she replied
and the two sat silent, straining thei
| eyes to pierce the darkness which wa
} every moment becoming deeper.
For half an hour they sat waiting
! and often the hardy fisherman won
dered how Jean could endure the win,
r and the icy spray which ever an
= anon dashed up. He dared not, how
/ ever, raise his voice again to profess
e AS he glanced at the girl so close t
t his side he realized with pain HOY
! far she was removed from hin
Though he had often been rebuffe
he had never until tonight given IL
/ hoping that love so strong as hi
: would one Cay be rewarded. AS b
/, looked back on the last few years {
0 his life and remembered how he ha
d always been toiling, toiling, with til
, single aim of earning enough to gl1
/ Jean a comfortable home, he felt thi
there was now a great blank whiC
n could never be filled up.
Ie At last their vigil was rewarde
|. Out of the darkness there sudden
n doomed the figure of a ship. On
q came with the white foam washir
d her deck, and at times hiding it {
Is most from their view. 1t was son
e. minutes before Andrew recognized Il
ID outlines, and shouted to Jean:
" Its the Daredevil this time"
W Jean did not answer, Il Her hea
lie was beating wildly now land her tel
pies throbbed with anxious excit
n. ment. AS the boat drew near the IL
reckless Of the danger, rose to tn,
d feet, and, despite the buffeting of t
i'd wind. stood watching its approach
"Jim's at the Wheel" shouted A
ut drew little latter.
re Jean nodded without speaking.
be AS the Daredevil swept en- 1t seem
evident that the steersman had /
d under wonderful control. Jim's aui
" eye darted from the harbor mouth
vii the waves at his side; often a ouI
turn at the wheel to right or /
X. Rvaded the onslaught Of an ans
nd breaker, and kept the boat direct
~ towards the goal.
in Suddenly, when the boat was o.
obOut fbirfvy r,orde pro,,, Al. -,