The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-08-15

to- her with another partner. If Rich
ara Cr&@>&Iw had done the same be
might lavc danced oil his foolish jeal'
or$y. auI saved his soul from crime
whose shadow doGGcd him like 4
bloodhound for tie best years OF his
life.
Sat no. lie watched Annie with
gloomy eyes for Il few moments. then
his face set and hard he stepped cut
uYon tie piazza which formed 4 gal
lcry around the dancing room and
overhunG the sen. \ wind had arisen
and the tide was coming in, foaminS
about the piers upon which the pa
villion was erected. The house had
been built for the use Of summer ViSl-
tors at the little seaport, but out of
season the young people Of the village
held their dances in it.
Annie had chosen her partner With
reference to her lovers weakness,
thinking that he could not possibly be
Jealous OF an entire stranger. though
he might be so of Fred, who had been
an old friend OF hers and his own
chief rival. But Richard was m&dly
Jealous: he fed the fame of his barn
ing heart by watching her through the
window. Smiling and radiant, she
danced and whirlcd about the room III
the arms CT that deteStable stranger.
There is 10 truth in her he NUT
tered. gnawing his mouStache. "Onc
word or lCok from her. and | should
lave said. \ have right to the dance.
for we are engaged But no; any one
but me-that idiot. that SmirkinG
iackanapas OF & tailor'S sign. Here she
comes with him"
Annie and EC@ partner~wcre waitZinG
down the room towards the long sash
door where Richard stood. Annie
looked Ike q glowing rose, but Mr.
MarQuett. what was the matter with
him? Ec suddenly seemed to 80 to
ppCpS-lil:o 4 man Of ShrcdS and tat
t2rS. his kECcS knocked together his
limbs shcoE. His face turned grey
like 4 clay masGuo. lie rc@lcd and
Swaycd ard staggered forward. Rich
ard threw open the door by which h2
stood. and Annie with Il strong grip
half carried her partner through the
doorway Oil TO the piazza, where b.
FELL upon the floor.
"Oh. what is this? Oh. what has
happened:" she cried. kncaling by him
and pushing back the hair from his
pale face. rs he dcad:" Size spranS
trembling to her feet. She clunG TO
her lover in frenzy Of fright. "Oh.
Richard. what shall we DO? Shall l
get some water"
There is water enough here said
he. savagcly fiingins her arms from
his neck. while with one touch OF has
boot he pushed tn" helpless MarQuett
of; The gallery platform into the dark
waters.
Get him out and dance with him
some more. Goodbye" and Richard
sprang like hunted deer. cleared the
piazza with one bound and disappeared
into the darkness. From that time on
lie was seen no more in Seaport. 1t
was as If the earth had opened and
swallowed him up. The men rallied to
the help OF the faintins man, who. it
was understood, had fallen accidental
iy over the railing. He recovered soon,
the incident passed from his mind. end
the village life went on as before.
AS years, went by Annie Bergen kept
her beauty wonderfully. The Soss!ps
were busy with the coming and going
Of her beauX. Fred Parker, after
long siege gave her up and forgot that
hc had ever wanted her. Mr. Mar
quett proposed in vain. The rich wild
over and the classic young minister
shared the same fate.
Annie will 90 through the woods
and take up with Il crooked Stic., at
last" said the gossips.
1t was long storm and a terrible
one in which many ship met her
doom. On the blacklist night OF it
Richard Cranshaw, mate Of the Anna
Belle, stocd ON the deck Of his ship
with heart that defied the storm. he
was b-onzed. deep-chested man of
act.cn. His dark mood was upon him
and he cared not. though tao bTiS
writhcd and stranded in the torture
of the sea rs if she might so to pieces
any moment; the waves roared, tie
spray Kissed as it broke over him, the
timbprs beneath him were grooming.
the shroudS whiStled aloft But in
the midst of it all and over 1t all there
sounded a gun, boom. Again an
other. 1t must be. Yes, it was ship
in distress, the danger signal o. perish
ing souls.
Il Will 60" said Richard. "Giyc nc
tilc lifc-hoat I'll go to them