The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-05

Then in the summer you can't think
how lovely the sea is out here. How
pleasantly it whispers and how sweet
~ the little waves drOne one to sleep!
I've sometimes thought it dreary, bu-
how I viii miss the dear old lighthouse
the never-ceasing sound of the waves,
and the call of sea gulls, and the salt
spray in the air. How love It air.
They were sitting on the rocks, watch
ing The sunset on the ocean, and. the
tide being low, short waves We're break
ing at the foot OF the reef. making a
mOEotOnous sound
what do you mean?" queried Ned
Holeonlb,a curious pangrunning through
him. You are not thinking Of going
aWay2"
Yvette nodded slowly.
Ned Holeomb 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 lighthouse and
gO-perhaps back to the little village on
the Brittany coast, from which he had
drifted long years agO2
Why should he care If this beautiful
girl went away from this lonely dwell
ling place, which she had made so
bright and attractive those rooms. with
in the stone tower she had adorned and
beautified until they seemed to Ned
Holcomb to be an ideal spot on the
eaTth's SuTface2 Why in Gods name
should he care2
The lighthouse would be turned over
to some rough seaman, and the beacon
would shine lust as we'll as when Ben
Ker tended it with YYette'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-ln-
June-I viii go to live in the village on
the island, but my darling old dad must
ted from him"
Again there was pause. which Ned
HOlcomb filled up mentally by pictur-
ing what these jutting rocks would be
without Yvettes presence; how desolate
when her voice would no longer mingle
with the beating of the surf, and she
would not be there to give him a gay
greeting as his boat ran UP to the stone
steps; when she would no longer stand
looking down on him with a light of
greeting in her great honest eyes, which
he had grown TO expect, while a sudden
glow intensified her remarkable beauty.
Why must YOU go TO live on the is
land-in June ?" Ned queried. without
excusing the inquisitiveness of the in
quiry.
I am to-be-married in June"
Yvette answered in a quiet. troubled
voice.
.arTo whon2" Holeomb asked roughly.
"A good nan-Peter Stevenson
Yvette answered, turning to look out
over the water, where the last golden
sun rays were lingering before twilight
puppies of the sky to pale tints and fad
ing grays.
'.And-you care for him. of course?
w have grown to be such good friends,
have we not2 know you win not fhiEd
telling me-" Ned Holconlb said in
friendly voice, which had a queer ring
IN it. You won't mind, you are SO hon
est and straightforward.
I've known him all my life Yvette
sail slowly. tAs little girl and when
7 was in the convent. In the holidays
we used to play together. He always
was kind and nice. and Dad loves him
dearly Dad was 50 grieved when ne
was sick, thinking about me. that I
promised him I would marry Fetar IN
June Just two weeks off now'
You did not answer me, Yvette, Med