The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-11-07
pale moon. and ocean breezes usually

and the Boston man, and him of New
York, sauntered up to the stand to re-
quest that Radowsli's inimitable crea-
ton be repeated.
Of course it was; but the soloist al
tered his position, and Mrs. Chat
worth's party could hardly see him
from where they sat under the arched
pillars, enjoying the salt breezes and
their ices.
'I've been noticing him for the past
month";" Betty remarked, craning to
get better view of the tall gray-haired
player whose easy pose seemed IA
miliar.
"Capt. Benham says his name is Gus
tavus Berret. But he told me they
none of them believe that is his real
name. He speaks French and likes to
read, and the captain says he talks
very little, but when he does his lam
guage is that of an educated man.
I'm dying to find out who he is"
1t was after that night that Berret
positively declined to play again in
public, and went back again to the du-
Ties VI SOlOlSI III TIC IdhhS VI IL YIN
pany.
This cool, September day when the
air was slightly answering, and light
haze yelled the tumbling breakers on
the Jetties, and over the old sand reef
of Drunken Dick, the sentry pacing
slowly at the foot of her tall embank-
ment of Fort Getty watched the swal-
lows eager fight southwark with a
strange pulling at his heartstrings.
81 wish to God" he said, then
stopped.
: Because what is the use of idle and
vain regrets that the shackles we in
our folly once placed upon our wrists
were riveted by our own act? That
misspent years, squandered and i'll
used, and debased, had not been diff
ferently employed, when we were in
the heydey of youth?
And why torture the soul with pic
lures of what might have been, but
is not?
The sentry, Gustavus Berret, knew
that the swallows were winging their
fight to land in the south. once so
familiar before those turbulent years
Of reckless and wild dissipation had
cut him off from old home ties, before
that black stain on his name debarred
him from the association Of
Berret groaned aloud
He had recognized her instantly.
Who could ever, having once seen that
laughing face, and those glorious eyes,
ever forget them? Why, he could re-
call as if it were yesterday, their
romps together in the old garden, when
blindfolded he would chase Odette,
his little sister, and her companions,
like flock of frightened doves down
the winding paths, and around the
acanthus and sweet olive bushes, and
always catch Claire, who, laughing and
breathless, would beg for mercy.
She had fulfilled the promise of those
early years, her beauty hundredfold
intensified.
Who were those men gathered
around her?
The swallows still fitted by, mi
grating south, and he slowly resumed
his walk.
$50 to see the men practice at the
Life Saving station? With the great
est pleasure" Claire said. at must
be such pretty sight"
They hurried down to the beach, but
there seemed to be hitch, because one
of the men was missing from some sud-
den cause.
$50 and tell Capt. Benham / ask him
to send me Berret; he's just off duty"
the captain of the squad said to one of
his men.
The small brass cannon used to shoot
a cord to any endangered vessel, by
which to attach arope and secure COM
munication, was rolled out on the
beach, and the squad of men with
spades to bury the anchor, against
which they were to haul the men from
the supposed wreck, were soon at
work, and the life-saving boat was
rolled cut with rapid precision into the
surf now coming inward.
DCllCU CdluC 4Ol WdIu W ldkc ulS
place on wooden tower, toward which
the shot was to be fired, and paused.
Claire caught her breath with a
snght exclamation, and Betty stared
with silent establishment.
Berret stood st attention pale as
death, with his eyes fixed on the rudy
face of the captain of the lifesaving
crew.
Receiving his orders he wheeled and
went with the mechanical tread of the
trained soldier to the tower up which
he slowly swung himself to a small
:slatform, where he stood erect.
cts Gustave! dear old Gustave? ''
whispered Claire. Il must go and talk
with him when they are through. 1
Will have long, long talk with him!
D, those pleasant old days, when we
romped together In the garden on Is
planade avenue! Poor old Gustave!
1 don't believe all they said about him .
I want to tell him So"
The gun fired, amid the cord was
shot out 70 where Private Berret stood
ON tia tower. He caught it, and per-
haps because a sudden burst of sun