The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-07-31
A CAPRICE?

pressing by It's strong personality, as
cliff might among hills; and here,
in che windracked night, wherein
disorder and ruin jo1ted elbows, and
the air was full of rain and the
plant OF people, his power made its.
self felt, and gained him a bearing
from officials who were oyer-anxious
aud travellers who were over-impor-
tant
1.-The sooner we are out OF this the
better, Isuppose." he said to the
guard who made his way deaf-eared
through the clamorous knots at the
doors OF the carriages. "The water
Is rising fast. OF course9"
LAS fast as 1t can, sir" the other
reioined, giving audience almost IN.
consciously to the single speaker who
had succeeded in OBTAINING him.
1.-TWO feet here me ans four In the
Ltcgenna cutting: and, as the lines
won't stand this volume much longer
tie chances are ten 10 one against
our getting further tonight. ;"
Good night" said Oswald FIerries
lie paused to gather together his
slight paraphernalia-a rug and a
small portmanteau-and then he
and the old Anglo Indian, who had
travelled down by the express VISA
Wis, and until then exchanged no
further words than the average
Briton considers necessary under
such propinquity, set out across the
country, wading knee deep in the
lower land encircling the railroad;
and arriving at last, wind blown
and wet to the skin, on the crest of
ground topped by the Ring O Bells.
AS the clock struck one the land
lord rose and lighted his guests
candle.
Then the door opened. There
was soft swish of woman's gar
ments, and against the outside
blackness stood a girl, straight as a
willow wand and slender, with eyes
that caught ones glance and rivet-
ed it, and hair duskier than the
night
''Jobn,' she said, coming hastily
forward, oblivious of any one but
the landlord, II want your help.
The water is rising by feet; our
cottage -you know whare it is; and
nurse has been sick for a week with
rheumatism.
LET lis go". sld IIerrie'.
cat once, she acluiescel; and he
opened the door and they passed out
together, leaving Trefusis to follow
ut an older leisure.
Later, when they had got the shiv-
cring old creature into the suggest
quarter offered by the Ring 0, Bells,
the girl came straignt-on to the fire.
"place,a subdued intensity in herman
ner, her eyes wide.
at is you who must be thanked
for this, my happiness, and the life
Of one dearer than the world can
guess. ="
In the tional remoteness
of this Cornish hamlet, it did not
strike Herries as any thing unusual
that he shouldlook in upon the cou-
pie day by day: Lavender was always
to the fore, watchful, alert, garru-
lous, from her sofa in the corner Of
the low ceiied room; and when she
was about again. with feeble gait
and uncertain humors, seldom absent
from her mistress.
The end came with a suddenness
that Shook the girls serenity to its
core.
February's days were creeping to
Il close when the last page Of faith
full life was shut; and the shock OF
that turning struck the one LEFT dumb
In the twilight. Ilerrics gun on
shoulder-had met her; and she had
paused with light in her eyes. say
in reply to his question:: IS he is
better. so much batter; the d octor
thinks that with the spring she may
be we'll again"
On day Herries stood before her.
Something IN his gaze sent the blood
in rush to her heart, leaving her
sick and faint in u new kuowleye.
jean" he said.
She met his glance with the look
of Il hunted creature, aCd drew her
fingers from his grasp. lie sat down,
beside her, and asked what she was
dong. Then her eycs-those grave,
serene, gray, gray cyes-open wide.
She laughcd-a laugh that stirred
The shadows discordAnlly.
oil am writing to my husband. y
For full minute there was silence
in the room.
Outside the voice OF girl on her
way uphill with climbing milk-pails
shril!en, "For all the lads they lo'c
me we'll. and what the waur am t.
within the stiffness seemed ice
bound.
When the sound Of the song had
died, he put the hand that had held
hers moment ago in his pocket.
looked at her and walked to the
window.
Mono! not that, not that from
you!" she cried with a brief ac-
cess Of passion, and, running to
him laid soft compelling fingers on
his arm. Listen" she said, "be.
fofe you despise me listen 10 avery
lonely and very frie ndless girIs
Story"
Something 10 her clear gaze fas-
cinated him against his will; un.
consciously he drew the hands
lying lightly on his arm. aud took
them io,0 close hold; but he look.
ed away from her, down the gray
shore where the waves Numbered
and the sea.brds screamed at
their evening play on the foam,
and her voice came to him as If ju
dream.