The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-16

was sick, thinking about me, that |
promised him l would marry Peter in
June. just two weeks off now!"
"You did not answer me, Yvette,"
Ned half whispered, taking Yvette's
hands and holding them tight. TELL
me-"
Yvette raised her eyes steadily and
met Holcomb's look and read it, as no
woman ever fails to do.
II do not now, but will in time. He
is good and loves me dearly. Stopl
know what you would say. Do you
think / would let you-marry light
house keepers daughter? You, with
so much to live for? Oh, oh, no! But
it was pleasant. You have made these
past months so bright When | go |
will remember how you used to come
to our lighthouse to cheer us, and how
pleasant the evenings were. Good-by.'
Standing before her, Ned Holcomb
lost his head and poured out the pent-
up words, which, by Yvette's beauty
and constant companionship during
the past months, had been stored up,
waiting for just such an occasion for
utterance.
What did he care for the worlds
opinion? Ned asked Was not hap
piness the sole and rightful aim of
life? Has not each one the right to
seek it, and grasp it, wherever and
whenever the chance occurs? Is it not
for more honest to break faith with
one, when ones whole soul and
thoughts are wrapped up in another.
Yvette spoke like a child! Like the
dear, honest, unsophisticated little
girl she was. 1t was absurd, hideous,
to think for an instant of throwing
herself away on a common sbipwright.
She must marry him, and they would
go away, anywhere, and Ben Kir would
join them. Who in all the world was
as beautiful and noble and fearless as
| Yvette? His Yvette.
So Ned Holcomb urged in widest en-
treaty, and Yvette listened, ktpnest
anguish Juggling at her heart, her face
pale, but resolute look on her face,
strange for one so young.
'rYou think so now-but it's all
mistake, dear" she answered, slowly,
great tenderness yelling up in her
eyes.
"Your life and mine lie far, far
apart. You must go your way, and l
must go mine, and we viii both forget
-all but the pleasant hours we spent in
the old lighthouse, and on these rocks,
listening to the voices of the sea.
Good-by."
do you mean it? It must be for all
time, remember, Yvette."
For all time!" she answered, stead
lily.
Ned Holcomb looked long at the face
before him, and, STOPPING kissed the
rich bronze hair the sea breezes loved
to toy with.
And when, the wind catching the
sail, his boat ran swiftly down the
channel.
"Where is your friend? Why did he
not stay to supper? Has he gomez"
queried Ben Ker, lightly stroking
Yvette's ruffled hair as she nestled
against him and leaned against his
shoulder.
He's gone, dad. Gone away. He'll
not come back"
"Gone away for good? Well, we'll!
You'll miss his visits, my pet, and his
books. But well soon leave the old
lighthouse. Well soon leave it. I'll
miss the roar of the waters and the
whistle of the wind at night and the
lighting of the beacon.
"But life ashore will be better for
my birdie. She will not miss a stran-
gers visits then. Peter will be here
tomorrow and Wen settle on the date
in June, and soon we'll move out and
let Harrison take my place. You'll
have Peter to take care of you, and
your old dad, Ben Ker, has provided
well for his little girl. You will be
as happy as the day is long"
Eyes, dad, as happy as the day is
long," whispered Yvette, clinging to
the old man.
"Can anybody tell me what in the
world is the matter with Ned Hol-
comb? Perhaps there's insanity in the
family. Does anyone know anything
about it?' queried Mrs. Carson to
those around, while slipping
Cant imagine, unless he's in love
1t must be with that wonderful siren
of the sea we came across last spring
You remember? She's a perfect
Lorelie-a beauty Ned Holcomb, to
my mind, has never been the same
since, and his rushing off to spend the
summer rambling about, all by him.
self, in the Alps, when Kitty had her
trousseau ready, was the stupidest
thing / ever heard of. If had been
Kitty would have let him go-for
good. But Kits so dead in love with
himl"
"Don't wonder. We all are. Ned
Holcomb's a dear"
"Sh-s-s-s-shl Here's Kittyl" warned
some one.
There was an air of triumph about
Kitty as she came in.
where is Ned Holcomb? Why, in
town. No, won't go to the Whirtley' IS
next month. I'll probably be out OF
town"
"a bridal tour?"
Kitty nodded assent, and was
pounced on bya the women present.
Hello, old fellow Let me congrat-
u