The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-24
A Cure for Ennui.
BY GEORGs GRAHAM.

Copyright. 1902. by Daily Story Pub. Go. | At s4 Laura Kirkton had tired of edu
 !ation and social victories. of meaning less compliments and inane small talk of blase men of the world and enviou, women. of <'fanDeled fools at the wicke and muddied oafs at the goal" She had drank of the pleasures of society to the drcgs, Her wealth and beauty had in. sured her a high place in the Foul adorned.
 At first. of course. she enjoyed it. but after the novelty wore off and she saw all the hoilowness and heartlessness the hypocrisy and sham beneath the bespan- gled surface she sickened and tired of it. And so she bad come down to this remote village on the sea shore. far from the fashionable resorts to rest from the crowds of Vanity Fair. and to commune with nature and live among simple folk who rounded out their lives in hard toll and simple pleasures. Still she was rest less. There was something unsatisfed in her nature-a longing for something, she hardly knew what.
 She sat down at the window of the It, tie cottage lfstlessly reading a novel. The wind was blowing too strong to render the down the book impatiently and ex claimed:
 Why don't we see men like this in real life! What's the use of reading about them in books when they don't exist? Authors are dreamers. and they write their dreams. Heroism is dead. The heroes are all between the covers of the histories and romances. I would like to see real man, just once-not a shallow. inslncere. selfish, sensualist but absolute honesty of purpose"
 She glanced out at the great waves dashing madly upon the shore and noted that the gale had increased In fury. Her eyes sparkled.
 How l love the ocean when it is aroused. It Is so grand. so powerful. If [ were man I would want to be like the ocean and conquer all things that came Tn my way.''
 A bell changed furiously and people came running past the cottage and on to the little Government life saving sta ton. She opened the door and called to one of the runners:
 Whats the matterT
 vessel goin' to pieces on the reef" came back the panting answer. She caught up her hat and cape and Joined the hurrying throhg. Here at last was something real and thrilling. There. sure enough. were the outlines of a steamer rocking violently on the great white line that marked the breakers. Over the waters came the hoarse alarm of the whistle.
 were dressed for the coming battle with the sea and stood about the great clumsy boat oars in hand. They looked like grim giants. but as Winnifred look ed at the angry sea. they became as pig mics with a paper boat
 Where's Captain wili?'' asked one of the crowd.
 "over to his father's." replied one of the crew. Hell be comin runnin' in
 "Ye can't live in that sea a mint" re- piled a weatherbeaten fisherman. shak- ing his head. Be ye agoin' to try it?'
 What are we here ferT' laconically responded one of the crew. Here he
 tall. athletic figure bounded through the group. knocking people right and left in his haste. and in an instant was in his sea togs.
 of the crew. who was gazing earnestly through glass.
 Small steamer an she's soin' to pieces fast" was the reply. Seems to be seven or eight people aboard -one woman s near as I can make out"
 The captain seized the glass and took quick look, Winifred surveyed him cu- riously. He was a perfect specimen of physical manhood: tall, sinewy. com pactly built and alert. His blue eye was head was confident and commanding. His cheeks were bronzed with exposure and clear with perfect health. He dropped the glass and gave a quick word of com mand. The men sprang to their places.
 "Ye can't git through that sea. Cap" remarked the weatherbeaten fisherman.
 "We'll try" replied the captain. cheer fly, and in an instant the boat shot into the angry waves. An instant later 1t was thrown violently upon the shore. A few moments sufficed to place it in position again. It was evident the captain was going to try again. The crew looked a little dubiousiy at the mountainous waves. Every face among the onlookers was grave. Many voices were raised in protest against this counting of certain death.
 piled the captain, sturdily. We draw our pay the year around to be on hand at just such time as this. I have seen a boat get through worse sea-"