Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-07-31
CHAPTER l..

A boat. propelled by its only occupant
WAS fast nearing the shore of small hay
OF the Atlantic. indcntng the New Eng
lnnd coast Tho air was fresh. just
breaking the surface Of the water into
nipples which. catching the hrillancc Of
The slant sunbcams Shonc like FURNISHED
silver.
On broad. smooth rock, round which
MAS thrown many wreath Of tangled
seaweed, stood Mildred Dacrcs, who ap-
reared to be waiting for the boat to
reach the shore. Though twcuty-cight
Years old. her beauty. instead Of fading,
Aad only ripcnrd into fuller splcndOr.
As she stood with her small French hood
showed back from her brow, from beneath
which fell profusion Of golden curlS,
forming rich contrast with crimson
mantle thrown carclcSsly over her Shou
acrs, there was something so graceful and
picturesque in her whole appearance, as
to force an involuntary exclamation OF
surprise from the rough though honest
iooking man in the boat.
III she is handsome. | don't like her.
said he, in hnlf-uttcred accents. Talk OF
black eyes spnrkln' and nnshin'. If
ever had the fortune to see real lightnin'
tu womnns eyes. twas in Mildred Da
cres and they are blue as n summer
sky, Beshrcw me. if could ever like the
girl, and If + could have my wish, she
would be on her way back to Old Eng
land in the first ship that sails. had
thoughts Of arunnin' my boat ashore, but
now I'll keep on little further"
At this moment, Mildred Dacres waved
her handkerchief
I'm make believe don't see her" said
he; and he pulled still harder for the
place where he intended to land.
"Silas-Silas Watkins" said she. in
clear and resonant tones.
Did you speak," said he, suspending
his oars and looking around.
4 did, and as you very well know what
] said, l shall not repeat it.
How should know, when the wind
carried your voice right from mc?' said
he, at the same time slowly heading the
boat towards the rock on which she
xhood
Kls yeur oars a little moro briskly,
worthy Silas. The sun is getting low,
and the wind begins to he chill"
1T will be for my own convenience rs
much as for hers" said Silas. in n sup
pressed voice. and in a few minutes the
keel Of the boat grated on the smooth,
hard beach. Mildred spranG lightly into
u, and then drew her mantle more closely
around her.
y L want to go TO Mr.. Walworth's," she
said, "and the sooner we reach there the
Srtter | shall like it," As she spoke. she
tossed towards him piece OF silver. AT
first he spurued il with his foot but the
next moment he picked it up.
After ALL" he thought. ''it may ms
well go to buy Inc n new jacket which |
loed, n. fncry which she has more of
than she knows what to do with
The moment Mildred had seated herself
Silas pulled vigorously towards the head
land. Ii had originally been covered with
n heavy growth Of forest trees, grove
ae oaks and naples were still standing,
haping been spared as shelter to
swelling house and the ont buildings. The
house, its high, peaked gables presenting
angles so numerous aS To cut the wind in
rs eye from whatever point Of compass
IL should chance to blow. though only
two stories, covered so large space as
10 render ii sufficiently commodious for
the proprietor and his family, and for
the entertainment OF many traveller. nt
o tune when there were few waysidc
inns. The absence OF all architectural
establishment evinced the severe taste
or principles. OF the owner; for Mr.. Wal
worth, in common with other Puritans
sf his time. looked upon the adornment
81 his habitation, no less than of his per-
sen, as one of those vanities in which it
would bc sinful to indulge.
"Do you expect me to wait for YOU and
tske you back?" said Silas.
mo: l shall spend the night with Alice
Dale"
she would have me think, l. suppose. "
Thought Silas, that il is Alice Dale she
y going to see. She can't deceive me.
clarence Harleigh is tho lodcStone that
draws her up TO Mr.. Walworth's so often.
4 wish he could see her with my eyes. |
DO declare, | would about as leve put
my hand into nest of serpcnts as among
those curls of hers that fall over her
shoulders and glsten 80 like gold on her
red mantle They do look beautiful,
though, AS true as my name is Silas Wat
Aims"
Meanwhile Mildred sat looking liStless-
Ry towards the shore. Suddeply her gaze
Became fixed and eager, Unconsciously
she bent forward, while her fingers were
strained with so nervous grasp over the
ridge Of the boat that the blood grew
purple under the nails. She had cauGh.
sight Of young man, she felt certain was
Clarence Harleigh, with some one stand
ing near him, who, she was no less sure
was Alice Dale. Without knowing it, the
nOld, keen light Silas had spoken to him
self about glittered in hrr eyes. and her
lips were drawn in, and so firmly com.
pressed that they looked no thicker than
q scarlet line.
''Silas," said she, turn the boat into
abe stream. see Alice Dale yonder. moi
Tar from the shore and will join her and
walk with her up to the house"
With the full strength OF his strong,
sinewy arms, he bent to the oars. The
boat flew like sea gull to the mouth of
the river During only the few seconds
ihe wind had increased almost to hur.
rcane. while a dark, Withholding cloud
had spread itself over the whole Of the
western heavens. They were soon 20
near the mouth OF the river as to feel
i!ic force OF the swift, opposing current
Suas. without speaking continued to pull
kfnodilv nj tho nars