The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-03-13
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When Ed took his bride and his bun
dles off to his home. Captain Jim sat
on the top Of sand dune and watched
tue pair through the eyepIecc Of his big
marine glass.
III an hour the news Of the marriage
had Travelled as far as the life saving
station. which was ut the uttermoet
part OF the beach. But did they 20 to
see herr Not they. They would have
died flrst
SO the beach had q mystery which
lasted and became greater each day.
In time 1t got to be said that Captain
Jim was In the secret. whatever It was,
out Captain Jim was never known to
say more than was absolutely necessa.
~ 10 any occasion, SO no one knew
more until the day Of the wreck of the
| Break O. Day.
Perhnps Mrs. Ed was as much star
| tied as the others were when her hus-
band obeyed Captain Jim's behest rs
he did. but she said nothing. Wha. Size
Iid was to toss shawl over her head
and follow them across the sand hills
to the surf where the vessel lay beach
ed.
Gathered there were oil Of the other
folks. and among them this woman
PASSED. one Of another race. Once
when the men were slow In launching
u nshing boat that they had brought
from the cove to aid the life savers she
waded into the surf, bent her strength
to the boat and sent 1t cutting out into
the breakers. In the act the sleeve on
her right arm split from cuff to shoul-
der, leaving bare magnificent arm
that made the women envious.
The crew OF the ship reached the
shore In safety, the sun broke through
the clouds, and when the group broke
up Eds wife returned to the settle
ment In the center OF the crowd, and
Ed went alone. discovered liar on
whom the ban OF the settlement lad ui-
ready been placed.
Ed was not seen again that week by
any one outside Of his own household.
But before noon of the next day q
meeting had been called in the church,
and 1t was decided to try Ed for living
q lie all those years. Uncle George
Mumford was deputed to notify the
culprit Of this fact.
Uncle George delivered his message
to the wife.
"All right. Mr.. Mumford: Ed'll be
there" she answered simply.
Now, the beach had never had q
church trial before, so on the morning
that was set for Eds the beachers,
men, women and children, assembled
at the schoolhouse where it was to be
held. The little church on the other
side of the ''dreen" was to know the
presence of the sinful liar no more.
And it was clear that the cuiprit had
been prejudged.
The hour for the trial was near ut
hand when some of the spectators
strolled down the pnth toward Eds
house to see him on his way. Present
ly the door opened, and Ed appeared.
And-"Lordy goodness wife was
with him. The two strobe along side
by side to the parting Of the paths.
where the group stood, and there the
woman halted. Ed stopped. too. and
stood with lowered face. knowing not
where to turn or what to do, for the
faces that met his gaze were stern and
unforgiving. None said word until
his wife spoke.
long right arm that the group remem-
bered was SO beautiful toward the
schoolhouse. "Go on an face 'em, an
yer shame be with YEP
Her voice broke, and tears rolled
down her cheeks. A gust Of wind loos-
ed the dark coils of her hair, and In an
instant she was wrapped in it, wild
and glorious spectacle to the awed
group.
Go on. Ed" they echoed almost ten
derly. they knew not why. for in their
hearts they hated him not so much,
maybe, because OF his lies rs because
he had shamed the woman they loved
but did not know.
Ed shambled on while the group
watched his wife hurrylng back to her
home, wiping her tears from her eyes
with her flowing hair. Then they turn
ed and fled slowly and silently toward
the schoolhouse.
Uncle Tom Mallett, tho patriarch,
was the chosen Judge for the trial, and
when Ed appeared Uncle Tom rose and
pointed finger Of scorn at him.
ED Mailett," he said, his voice crack.
ing with righteous passion, ::ye liar all
hippercrit, set In that there cheer an
heer the word ag'in ye."
Ed did his bidding, shamed and trem-
bling.
Jimmy Mallett, ye read that there
commandment bout lyin to this man
this cousin O. your'n, an if ye leave out
a word cause he's yer kin ye'll so with
him outer this heer congregation"
Jim read the commandment from the
big Bible on the teachers desk, and at
every word Ed shivered and groaned.
Every one was moved ut this out
ward sign OF penitence, and from sew
eral directions came suspicious snifflcs
Of sympathy. 1t was n cue to the
gndge also. for ne rose and pointing
the finger OF scorn at the guilty man
again. shouted:
'Tremil an. groan, ye mis'able sinner
an worm o. tho dust, fer we're rotten in