Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-05-29
= ! E ] I. + E !: !;
BY S. RHETT ROMAN.


idly throwing small pieces Of rock
into the channel, where it ran around
Rock point, and watching the play OF
sunshine and shadow over the water,
as light clouds foated across the sky,
driven slowly along by a south
breeze, this calm April afternoon.
''Your queer, charming habitation,
right out in the middle of the ocean,
is so inaccessible and remote, it
seems like different world, from
ordinary humdrum city life. What
an ideal retreat, and how you must
enjoy getting beyond peoples reach,
and away from sin and wickedness,
and all uncharitableness,' continued
Holcomb, leaning back against the
abutment of the lighthouse, and tilt
ing his hat over his eyes to shade
them from the slanting rays of the
sun, gliding the vast expanse of the
ocean, shining white on the rails of
the fishing fleet. Swimming home
ward, and outlining the rigging and
ing in across the bar.
Yvette smiled a little wistfully, for
the solitude of their storm-beaten
eyrie, so alluring to Ned, as relief
from the whiz of electric cars, the
jangling noises of the city and per-
petual contact with humanity was
sometimes oppressive to one SO en-
dowed with life and spirits as were
the eternal wash end moan of the
sea on the jagged rocks of the reef.
Then Yvette laughed, and, turning,
looked with frank gayety at Ned
Holcomb. ~
''How long do you think you could
live here, away from your friends
and business; with just the sea to sing
to you, and only the stars at nj ht to
tell you tales? What would you do
with yourself all day, and in the
evening""
II never said I'd like to live here
without-any-com Ned
said, returning the frank look of
Yvette's deep gray eyes, with one of
open admiration, mingled with a
friendliness Yyette had grown quite
accustomed to by this time.
For since the visit of the Sea Gull,
three months ago, to Rock Point
lighthouse, Ned Holcomb had devel-
oped great love of the sea, appar-
emily, and had fallen into the habit
of sailing far into the harbor, to do
deep sea fishing on the outer rocks.
Going or returning, he would stop
at the lighthouse, to bring, as he had
promised, papers and periodicals to
Ben Ker, and books, Hylers and flow
ers, to Yvette, whose glad pleasure,
SO unrestrainedly expressed, pro-
duced curious impression on their
giver.
"There's fascination about the
sea-" Yvette said, slowly, turning her
gaze towards the far distant horizon,
and ignoring her companions last re-
mark. "In the summer, you can't
think how lovely the sea is out here.
How pleasantly it whispers, and how
sweetly the little waves drone one to
sleep! I've sometimes thought it
dreary, but how will miss the dear
old lighthouse! the never-ceasing
sound of the waves, and the call of the
sea gulls, and the salt spray in the air.
How love it ALI"
'What do you mean?" queried Ned
Holcomb. curious pang running
through him. "You are not thinking
of going away?"
Yvette nodded slowly.
Ned Holcomb turned quickly. then
paused in what he was going to say,
for what business was it of his why
Yvette and the old man, her father,
should give up their care of the light
house and go-perhaps back to the
little village on the Brittany coast,
from which he had drifted years ago?
Why should he care if this beautiful
girl went away from this lonely dwell
ing place, which she had made so
bright and attractive; those rooms
within the stone tower she had
adorned and beautifed until they
seemed to Ned Holcomb to be n ideal
spot on the earth's surface? Why in
Gods name should he care?
The lighthouse would be turned
over to some rough seaman, and the
beacon would shine just as well as
when Ben Ker tended it with Yvette's
help.
''He is much stronger and better
since the warm spring days have come,
but the doctor says he must not stay
at the lighthouse another winter.
Then-in June-I will go to live in the
village on the island, but my darling
old .!ad must come too. ] would die
if we're separated from him."
Again there was pause, which Ned
Holcomb filled up mentally by pictur.
ing what these jutting rocks would be
with out Yyette's presence. .&
''Why must you go to live on the is
land-in June?" Ned queried, without
excusing the inquisitiveness ct the
inquiry. ,....--.-
II am to--be-married in June.
Yvette answered in quiet, Troubled
voice.
'"ro whom?" Holcomb asked
roughly.