Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-06-05

WHEN THE
TIDE TURNED
By MARIE AVARY


round her face. She looked up Joy
ously.
"Lazybones, are you here at last"
she cried merrily. 81 have been wait
ing for you for ever 30 long"
Davis sat down beside her on the
step and looked at her with good hui
mored tolerance as he said lightly,
what do you want this morning,
childT
The girl detected the superiority in
his tone. A flush rose to her cheeks,
and her voice had plaintive ring as
she said, Children are 30 unreasonable
and want 80 many things, don't they"
Then, with swift return to her former
bantering: "These are my commands;
so read, mark, learn and lnwardly d.
gest, as the prayer book puts 1t.
want you to promise to take me to
Hazard rocks this afternoon"
A shade fell on the mans face. She
went on hastily: 1--WE wanted to go all
summer, and now summer is almost
over. You promised you would take
II will be 30 lovely to scramble along
the shore and find long strands Of
strange seaweed and come upon I'M
expected pools full Of Jelly and star
fish, Please take me. | will be good"
Her eyes were shining and her cheeks
pink with excitement as she bent to-
ward him pleadingly.
The man hesltated as II fearful Of
| paining her by refusal He seemed
solely intent In watching the white
caps in their mad race for the shore
Then he said brusquely: "No, won't
take you. | ought never to have prom
ised, and so | take II back. You are
quite too foolhardy to venture in 10
dangerous place. You would be sure
to fall on those treacherous, Shiny
rocks, and then there would be the
devil to pay. If the tide should catch
us, there would be no hope"
Betty's chin quivered like child's,
and the tears were shining through her
long lashes.
Davis felt swift conjunction for his
hasty words. IL honestly don't think
it's safe to take you, Betty, or I would.
Promise TO forget about It, and we will
go for a sail on the Petrol or anywhere
else at your pleasure. Come, show me
that you can be reasonable little
girl"
Betty might not have resented his
fatherly tone II a gay voice had not
rung out behind her:
"What are you two fighting about, as
usual? Give me an explanation" And
she laughed rather maliciously. II was
Mrs. Neville, the source OF Betty's
hearth ches for the last weeks.
The girl rose impetuously. II have
nothing to explain" she said icily.
"Mr. Davis can tell you what he
pleases. II Is nothing to me-"
Davis looked after her with a frown
OF annoyance. 1t was really unpardOn-
able for Betty to behave 30 rudely.
She was too old for such childishness.
1t was quite true that they had quar-
relied almost constantly for the Inst
weeks; he forgot that II was only since
Mrs. Neville had appeared at the hotel.
The young widow sank back In
rocking chair with a little laugh. She
looked unusually pretty this morning,
and as the man looked at her admlring-
ly his frown faded The full blown
rose was certainly more satisfying than
the tborny bud.
Mrs. Neville met his glance by a well
executed droop OF her lashes. "rell me
all about IT," she commanded play
fully.
Betty wanted me to take her to
Hazard rocks" Davis explained. "And
! would not take her because Il Is no
dangerous trip"
Mrs. Neville was all interest. The
Hazard rocksl She had heard about
them. Did people ever go there2 And
was 1t all very romantic and excltIng2
A look of daring flashed across her
face. She bent forward and gazed
straight into his eyes "Will you take
me thereY she asked softly.
Perhaps It was the glamour Of her
dark eyes. the intOxlcatiOn OF her warm
breath on his cheek. The man grew
white. His voice was low and tense
M he answered, Yes; | will take you"
Betty did not appear at lunch. Again
Davis felt the strange pang Of com
junction az he missed her laughing
chatter. He did not know that Mrs.
Neville had met her In the hall and ex-
plnined that, though the Hazard rocks
were much too dangerous a place for
children II was quite permissible for
grOwnups aud Acton had promised 10
take her.
The girl had drawn herself up TO all
the slim height OF her eighteen years
and turned away without a word.
Nor did he guess that when the two
strolled away an hour later pair Of
blue eyes watched them from behind
the half shut blinds, while slow tears
rolled down the pale cheeks.
The rest OF the guests shortly depart
ed for an afternoons sail. 80 present
ly Betty crept down, forlorn little
figure. As the afternoon wnned, bring
ing no signs OF the two, vague fear
began 10 take possession Of her. The
tide had begun TO turn. Could II be
that they had failed to notice III She
recalled ActOns words with thrill Of
fear, ''If the tide should catch US. there
would be no hope"
Mr.. Acton Davis was not enjoying
his afternoon. The two had scrambled
along the foot Of the cliffs until they
reached the half submerged pile OF
rocks bearing the name OF Hazard.
The man was gazing at the sea. he
could not forget the, CLINT Of tears Ia
Betty's eyes.
He turned suddenly TO his companion
with reckless resolve to make the
best OF the matter. Something In the
languOrous depths Of the dark eyes
seemed 10 fire his blood. With a swift
movement he caught her 10 him.
But M his lips met hers wave Of re-
pulsion, sudden as unexplainable. made
him start back. As he did 10 he heard
the splash Of water. A tiny wave was
breaking at his very feet. The tide
had risen.
With cry Of horror he sprang TO a
higher point OF rock and looked des-