The Forrest City times., 1902-02-07
All for the Love
 of a Girl
By JAMES II. FREER.

A WOMAN. tall and straight, wh A face was hidden by shaw. thrown over her head, was walking down the Hamper" the raised read which ran straight as stretched string across Sutter marsh.
 It was the dull dusk of an autumn evening. and raw wind from the sea moaned across the flats and caused Selma Pritehett to put her wrap closer about her face.
 recently. far in the distance. the girl diseerned figure outlined against the fading yellow of the evening sky She gave shrill call:
 Joe! Joe!'
 The man stopped and looked round. Selma pressed on and soon joined him. He met her with outstretehed hands. and a kiss passed between them. Joe, l came out on purpose to see you. l wanted to speak to you where no one could ever hear us.''
 "I reckon we're safe enough here. lass" smiled the man. "There's net a soul'u venture within mile O Us. Folk don't love the 'Rsmper' on a night like this"
 But neither of them noticed q rustic in the tall dead reeds which fringed ,he narrow road or in the quick gather ing gloom a pale face, which appeared ghostlike above the heavy screen.
 Did you hear the dykes finished. Joe?" Selina spoke with concentrated bitterness.
 Aye. lass, l know it :" Joe responded, shortly.
 And next summer they say all the marsh will be inclosed and parceled out with fences
 "Yes, I've heard that, too. lis a wicked job"
 Wicked! Wicked! l tell you. Joe, father will be ruined man. Where T be any grazing for the cows or the geese? Where'u he shoot any wild fowl? Where can we cut reeds for matching or turf for fuel? Why. We shall starve!"
 Not while l live" broke in Joe. "Tell you what, lass, when we're mar ried we'll move out of this country and go back to my old place"
 What, and leave father here to starye!' the girl famed out Not me; and I'll tell you what, Joe Reave, vow will never marry you without We can settle here in our old home. 0, l only wish l were a man. I'd do something to stop these commissioners at their wicked work"
 The man. big. heavy fellow that he was. quailed at her fury.
 What would you do?" he asked al length.
 Do? Why, I'd shoot old Squire Duckett, He's the head of il all. or no, I'll tel you what l would do, Joe. :" She spoke now more quietly, but with intense emphasis. This is what I'd do. Wait for a flood and cut the dyke. :" You don't mean that, Selina?" gasped Joe.
 You wait and see if l don't" she re- piled.
 Joe seized both her hands and gazed straight in her face. The figure behind the reeds craned its head forward to listen.
 You shame me, lass" Joe said. his rather heavy face lighted up with a passion of admiration. Its what We should have thought O long ago Wait, I'll do it, see if don't"
 Selma looked up at him moment. There was no doubt he meant what h. said
 Very well, Joe" she said "The day after the water runs back over our marsh lands, that day TT marry YOU. And now l must go home. Fatherll be waiting for his supper. Good night"
 The figure in the reeds shranb hack and hid itself as the lovers parted. Selma walked sharply homewards ia where, across the flats, shone a faint hght from the cottage. Joe strode along with long, swinging steps in the opposite direction.
 When he was out of sight the man Who had been in hiding crawled from hlS concealment up on tc the "Ramper'' ana shook his fist in the direction the other had disappeared
 Ah. my fine fellow" he growIed ~'lh an ugly laugh. T have you now. DO sure as my names Nane Merritt. I'll De even with you"
 The facts of the case were these: Tn the year 1867 an agitation was on loot amongst the farmers and lapd- ONHerS of the coast to drain tho ;.,,