Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-05-29
YVETTE
BY S. RHErT ROMAN.

| luly bnEOWluB SiudAl PlSSSS VI 49,
into the channel, where 1t ran arount
Rock point, and watching the play o.
sunshine and shadow over the water
as light clouds foated across the sky
driven slowly along by a soutf
breeze, this calm April afternoon.
"Your queer, charming habitation
right out in the middle of the ocean
is so inaccessible and remote, Il
seems like a 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 feet, Swimming home
ward, and outlining the rigging and
smokestacks of an ocean liner steam
ing in across the bar.
Yvette smiled little wistfully, fol
the solitude of their storm-beater
eyrie, so a1uring to Ned, as a relief
from the whiz of electric cars, the
iangling noises of the city and per
petual contact with humanity was
sometimes oppressive to one so en-
bowed with life and spirits as were
the eternal wash and moan of the
sea on the jagged rocks of the reef
Then Yvette laughed, and, turning
looked with frank gayety at Ned
| Holcomb.
Glow long do you think you coult
live here, away from your friends
and business; with just the sea to sing
to you, and only the stars at night tC
tell you tales? What would you dc
with yourself all day, and in the
EVENING""
"I never said I'd like to live here
without-any-companionship," Nee
said, returning the frank look Of
Yvette's deep gray eyes, with one Of
open admiration, mingled with g
friendliness Yvette had grown quite
accustomed to by this line.
For since the visit IF the Sea Gull
three months ago, to Rock Point
lighthouse, Ned Holcomb had devel
oped a great love of the sea, appar
emily, and lad fallen into the habit
of sailing far into the harbor, to dc
deep sea fishing on the outer rocks
Going or returning, he would stoI
at the lighthouse, to bring, as he haC
promised, papers and periodicals tt
Ben Ker, and books, Hylers and flow
ers, to Yvette, whose glad pleasure
so unrestrainedly expressed, pro
duced curious impression on theil
giver.
'sThere's a fascination about the
sea-" Yvette said, slowly, turning hel
gaze towards the far distant horizon
and ignoring her companions last re
mark. "In the summer, you cam
think how lovely the sea is out here
How pleasantly it whispers, and how
sweetly the little waves drone one t.
sleep! I've sometimes thought i
dreary, but how will miss the deal
old lighthouse! the never-ceasine
sound of the waves, and the call of thu
sea gulls, and the salt spray in the air
How 1 love it ALL"
"What do you mean?" queried Net
Holcomb, a curious pang running
through him. "You are not thinking
of going away?"
Yvette nodded slowly.
Ned Holcomb turned quickly, thel
paused in what he was going to say
for what business was 1t of his VIII,
Yvette and the old man, her father
should give up their care of the light
house and go-perhaps back to thu
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 81
bright and attractive; those rooms
within the stone tower she hat
adorned and beautifed until the!
seemed to Ned Holcomb to be an idea
spot on the earth's surface? Why II
Gods name should he care?
The lighthouse would be turned
over to some rough seaman, and tn,
beacon would shine just as well al
when Ben Ker tended it with Yvette'
help.
"He is much stronger and bette
since the warm spring dayshave come
but the doctor says he must not sta,
at the lighthouse another winter
Then-in June will go to live in tn,
/ village on the island, but my darling
old dad must come too. would di,
if were separated from him"
Again there was pause, which NeC
Holcomb filled up mentally by pictur
ing what these jutting rocks would b.
without Yvette's presence.
"Why must you go to live on the is
land--in June?" Ned queried, withou
excusing the inquisitiveness of tn
inquiry.
"I am to-be-married in June,
. Yvette answered in a quiet, troubled
voice.
"To whom?" Holcomb asked
roughly.
"a good man-Peter Stevenson,
: Yvette answered, turning to look GU
over the water, where the last colder
sun rays were lingering before twi
light would soften the crimsons an,
vivid puppies of the sky to pale tint
and fading grays.
"And-you care for him, of course
We have grown to be such goo'
friends, have we not? I know you vii
not mind telling me-" Ned Holcom1
said. in a friendly voice, which had
queer ring in it. "You won't mind
you are so honest and straightfor
ward"
"I've known him all my life," Yvett
said, slowly Gas little girl and whel
,, was in the convent. In the holiday
we used to play together. He Away
was kind and nice, and Dad loves hin
dearly. Dad was so grieved when nj
was sick, thinking about me, that