New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-07-02

The Story of a Strolling Player.
BY L. ALLEN HARKER.

IN TWO PA
Grandfather and Harnet had gone fishing for
the whole day. Mademoiselle had departed, only
Polly was left in charge, and she had so bad a
headache-she put 1t down to the close, cloudy
weather-that she fatn to go and lie down
directly she had waited upon Basil and Viola at
their luncheon, having given the children permits
sion to go for walk along the beach.
It was gray day, humid and still and, being
low tide, there seemed fresh wind blowing in
from the sea, usual The children scrambled
over the rocks, very happy and important Mt be
ing. for once. left to their devices. and they
decided to make an expedition 10 a little sandy
bay that be reached from the shore at low
tide, and to come back by a steep winding path
up the cliffs which terminates in a coach road
just above the village. They had not considered
it necessary to ccn1de their intention to Polly
who would certainly have objected. They reached
the bay all right, padded for little time on the
hard smooth sand and then set out to climb the
path which winds in and out of the side Of the
cliff, for all the world like a spiral staircase UP
nine hundred feet above the sea. This
path is narrow that travellers can only walk
in Indian file. On the one side is the steep face
of the heather-Clad rock the other sheer
drop to the rocks below
When the children had climbed about third
of the way they found themselves enveloped in
white mist-a mist thick and fine and clinging
that YOU cannot your hand held before
your face 1t to go down again: the
tide had turned. and the sea would DO
tapping gently at the foot of the pathway. There
nothing for It but to go on slowly carefully
step by step. feeling all the time for the rocks
the inner side; by and by the path would widen.
Don't be frightened. Viola" said BASIL cheer
fully. It'll take a goodish while. but bit
higher UP walk together
I'm not exactly frightened" said Viola in
tremulous voice. but I rather wish we hadn't
come"
80 do L" Basil answered ferventIy. IF
hadn't been such tuggns I'd have looked up and
the mist those cliffs long ago. Probably
you can't see that there any cliffs IN the viii
lage now"
On they toiled. slowly and painfully. It is really
a most unpleasant mode Of progression, walking
sideways up hill. with your back against very
nubbly sort Of wall.
''Harkr cried Basil, presently, Didn't you hear
a can?'
The children paused. leaned against the cliff. and
listened breathlessly. Sure enough. some one was
calling 1t sounded very mufled and far off. but
1t plainly mans voice, and he was calling
for help.
DO you think it's above or below" Basil asked
anxiousIy. II can't seem to tell in this fog
1T must be above. should have heard it
before. Cau out that we're coming"
Basil shouted with all the force of his young
lungs and again the faint, muffed voice answered
with cry for help
Come on" answered Basil in great excite
other bend of the path Basil nearly fell over the
br h96e of r mSn w SPs e man ed
himself on his elbow, exclaimng:
vag say You GS eou Id Sand hp? I'm Very much afraid
that I've broken my leg can't stand and NOV
''Why. it's the jockey mani" Basil cried out in
oiS 0h dear1oh, dear! added Viola this is sad
None OF them could see the other: but neverthe-
come to his rescue, and forgot his injuries in his
surprise eX9 a qanaTs1 WITH To9 are you o
oh dear no" said Viola proudly: were quite
thing thing we we are here: how did You faiI?''
II was incoming along not thinking wheFe fs Tss
step and bang over the edge, but only fell on
to the path below. not right over as might have
done Perhaps it would have been better if
/ had" he added to himself .o.,, -.,, ,-,o,,
decidedly "and IN stay and take care Of Mr. Smith
But Mr. smith wouldn't hear of this, The, chill
dren helped him TO crawl near the inner side as
with the pam OF IhoS u g1 ur summer and NIr
Tom. said soft voice close beside him. rs there
nothing I could do? Wouldn't you be more com
Portable if YOU were 10 rest your head in my lap?
Il would be a sort of pillow Daddy used to go TO
sleep like that sometimes OUT on the HloorS last
summer when they were home the iokev man
oh, Viola, viola eXGIanlSo me st sbou,n
why did you stay? You will get cold It's raining
TSeres i no use worrying about that said Viola
59ge an alone and hurt and Basil wouldn't let me
20 on TO the village cause of the fog. so or course
o S5ay te # YOU'D rather not but think Ia like
to hold your hand if you don't mind II would De
comforting. -, -, ,,,rv,%o-,i,,, 20
the iokey man: he insisted on taking OFT MS coat
and wTanping Viola in ii, in spite or al ner pro
tests Presently the white pail OF mist ted niue
ara tbav could see another, and IL certainly
was a great pleasure TO the man lying asainst me
cIfT ~ watch the little high bred race with ths
tTd bIue ewes turned in such friendly wise toward
him Viola like Basil, ana yer so enuTe aI
a.! Fasils face round. hers was oval
BseI's nose was broad and indefinite as YET
VioIa,s nose was small and straight ana decloeu.
Iii The dearest little band OF freckles across the
br,dqe Rasils manner was extremely nlehuiyL'
II,i ms tender and protecting and IL was such
long time since any one had taken care OF me a
So1.o,.srran that he almost crooned 10 hlrnse1 IN
!!S Saltpbt of being tended She was very tender
in her inquiries after his aches and pains, ex-
III otra5 Nous hope that he always wore some
hing wooIlv next him. and being reassurea On
49, Nod proceeded to suggest that ne Shouid
e,Iat n he found II comfortns Then she told
him a great deal in very admirative terms rms, about
S RAT old fashioned portion OF femininity that
looks upon her own mankind as beings III STU