Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-10

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 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.
 live been noticing him for the past month," Betty remarked, craning to get better view of the tall grayshaired player whose easy pose seemed fa- miliar.
 l 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.' It was after that night that Berret positively declined to play again in public, and went back again to the du- ties of a soldier in the ranks of l. com pany.
 This cool, September day when the air was slightly ashivering. and light haze yelled the tumbling breakers on the Jettiex. 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 flight southward with a strange pulling at his heartstrings.
 SI 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 xx,arA hu oI1r oxx1, o4 bot misspent years, squandered and ill used, and debased, had, not been diff ferently employed, when we were in the heydey of youth?
 And why torture the soul with pie lures of what might have been, but is not?
 The sentry. Gustavus Berret, knew that the swallows were winging their flight to a land in the south. once so familiar before those turbulent years of reckless and wild dissipa tion 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 a hundredfold intensified.
 Who were those men gathered around her?
 The swallows still fitted by, mi grating south, and he slowly resumed his walk
 "Go to see the men practice at the Life Saving station? With the great est pleasure" Claire said It must be such pretty sight"
 They hurried down 10 the beach, but there seemed to be hitch, because one of the men was missing from some sud- den cause.
 "Go and tell Capt. Benham ask him to send me Rerret; he's just off duty,'' the captain of the squad said to one of his men.
 The small brass cannon used to shoot cord to any endangered vessel, by which to attach rope 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 work, and the life-saving boat was rolled out with rapid precision into the surf now coming inward
 Berret came forward to take his place on wooden tower, toward which s the shot was to be fired, and paused,
 Claire caught her breath with a sight exclamation, and Betty stared with silent astonishment.
 Berret stood at attention pale as death, with his eyes fixed on the ruddy 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 small platform, where he stood erect.
 s'It's Gustave! dear old Gustave ?'' whispered Claire. ''I must go and talk with him when they are through. I will have long, long talk with him! O, those pleasant old days. when we ronped together in the garden on Els planade avenue! Poor old Gustave! I don't believe all they said about him! I want to tell him so."
 The gun fired, anld the cord was shot out to where Private Berret stood on the tower. He caught it. and, per. haps because sudden burst of sum- light dazzled him, or because he was gazing too intently at the pale smil- Ing face of girl looking up at him, he reried anu Irll.
 With wild cry Claire covered her face.
 They took him to the hospital
 When dawn broke over the ocean. and the soft pale tints of another day stole up from the east, Private Gustav us Berret stepped out into another life.