Junction City bulletin. [volume] (Junction City, Or.) 189?-1901, 1901-02-07

De ttH lhtHOiHb ueep Il tiis Dtue uulHpss
What's the matter now Come and
have smoke with me. I've been look
Ing for you half the evening"
And that all happened week ago! A
week-the most miserable In his life.
And now he was trying TO forget her.
What fool he vast
II.
The thought OF that steep drop down
TO the sea kept recurring 10 his mind
again and again with q fatal fascina-
tion put II away from bis as be would.
Through all his broodings rs sonber
invitation stood out clear and distinct.
lie could see even now the Jagged
rocks lurking below. dripping with
spray. looking for their prey.
Al last he got mp II was no good
staying in. Inactaon was torture TO
him In his present frame Of mind. He
would try and walk Il on.
| he started or rapidly, without any
definite aim or intention. but uncon-
scl0nsly hts steps turned toward the
coast, and presently he found himself
once more ascending the steep little
path he had trayerscd that morning.
AS he neared the summit he per
ceIved that there was mans figure
before him, STOPPING perilously over the
dangerous edge. evidently gathering
some plant from the cliif below.
II was a fooliardy thing to do. and
evidently bespoke strong brain.
A little nearer, and he stopped short
abruptly. The STOPPING figure was
| Everett.
All his love and hate surged up with
in him. Everett, the man who had
stolen his love from him the man who
nad made his life blank and barren
waste. A thousand devils seemed LEI
loose within him. How very near that
STOPPING figure was 10 deafh--so near
that one touch-JtIst one little motion
OF the foot-and he would lose his bal
ance and go speeding. speeding down
those smiling cliffs and be hurled to
pieces on those cruel rocks beneathl
His breath came quickly.
Suppose II had happened accidental
ly? Even as he thought he knew he
was coward. Even then he was
thinking Of his own skin. Suppose a
sudden noise made the man start? Al.
most unconsciously he opened his lips,
and harsh "Hailom broke from him.
Everett's nerves were steel. He
turned his sunny face and smiled over
his shoulder.
Halo, old man" he responded amIa-
bly,.
Fraser came and stood dumbly beside
him, holding his hands tightly together
behind him TO hide their shaking. He
had forgotten Everett was sailor.
He watched him furtively leaning
down further and further, till it seemed
impossible he could retain his balance;
and the waves below reached up hun
cry white arms to catch him, and fell
back again with murmuring thunder
of anger at their failure.
A little further. Fraser caught his
breath.
You'll be over In mlnuter' he said
grufliy.
Everett laughed easily.
Not Ir he said confidently. But /
say, old chap, you might just hang on
to my legs for minute, viii you? /
want to reach that great bit just there,
and it's just beyond me"
The waving pink bloom nodded inn
pudently up ut them just out of reach.
Fraser stood motlonless, mostenlng his
dry lips.
Everett looked around.
''D'you mind, old man?' he said
And mechanically the other stretched
out his hand and obeyed.
Now-now! one movement of his fin
ersjust the opening of his hand
He fought the thought back. gasping
for breath.
Everett leaned still farther. He half
glanced back.
They're for Dolly you know" he
said, ito wear this evening"
The fingers opened as If by some sud
denly pressed spring There was sud
den cry, and then--then something
went rolling. rolling, striking and
bounding slckeningly down that steep
side.
For an instant the white face was up.
turned.
"All right old chap-I know--acci-
dent!" fioated up brokenly, and then
there was last hideous thud, and the
waves clutched greedily at their unrec-
equitable prey and drew 1t under And
the swooping seagulls shrieked wildly
and clrcled upward.