Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-04-29
BY MAEiE AVARY
Copyright, 1902, 10y McClure's Newspaper
Syndicate.


palnlnS ner by rel Sdl. lie SEEMED
solely intent in watching the white
caps in their mad race for the shore
Then he said brusquely: NO, l won't
take you. l ought never to have prom
ised, and so take it back. You arc
quite too fOolhardy to venture in SC
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 | 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 if 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. 1t was
Mrs. Neville, the source of Betty's
! heartaches for the last weeks.
The girl rose impetuously. 81 have
nothing to explain" she said Jelly.
"Mr. Davis can tell you what he
pleases. 1t is nothing to me-"
Davis looked after her with q frown
of annoyance. 1t was really unpardon-
able for Betty to behave SO rudely.
She was too old for such childishness.
1t was quite true that they had quar-
relied almost constantly for the last
weeks; he forgot that it was only since
Mrs. Neville had appeared at the hotel.
The young widow sank back In
rocking chair with little laugh. She
looked unusually pretty this morning,
and as the man looked at her admiring-
ly his frown faded The full blown
rose was certainly more satisfying than
the thOrny bud
Mrs. Neville met his glance by well
executed drOop Of her lashes. Tell 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 it is so |
dangerous trip"
Mrs. Neville was all interest. The
Hazard rocks. She had heard about |
them. Did people ever 20 there? And
was it all very romantic and exciting?
A look Of daring flashed across her
face. She bent forward and gazed
straight into his eyes. "Will you take
me there?' she asked softly.
Perhaps it was the glamour Of her
dark eyes, the intOXicatiOn of her warm
breath Oh his check. The man grew
white. His voice was low and tense
as he answered, Yes; will take you"
Betty did not appear at lunch. Again
Davis felt the strange pang of com.
junction as he missed her laughing
chatter He did not know that Mrs.
Neville had met her in the hall and ex-
planned that, though the Hazard rocks
were much too dangerous place for
it was quite permissible for
srownups, and Acton had promised to
axe her.
The girl had drawn herself up to all
he slim height of her eighteen years
md turned away without word.
Nor did he guess that when the two
'trollcd away an hour later a pair of
'lue eyes watched them from behind
he half shut blinds. while slow tears
oiled down the pale checks.
The rest of the guests shortly depart
d for an afternoons sail. SO present
Y Betty crept down, Il forlOrn little
CURE. AS the afternoon waned. bring 6
NJ no signs OF the two, a vague fear
cgan TO take possession Of her. The
lde had begun to turn. Could il be 4
hat they had failed To notice it? She
ecalled Acton's words with thrill of
ear, IF the tide should catch us, there :
'onld be no hope"
Mr.. Acton Davis was not enjoying t
is afternoon. The two had scrambled II
long the foat Of the cliffs until they
cached the half submerged pile Of
'cks bcarin:; the name Of Hazard. Il
he man was gazing ut the sea. He
Ould not forget the CLINT Of tears In
etty's eyes.
He turned suddenly to his companion
'lth reckless resolve to make the
est of the matter. Something in the r.
lnguorous depths of the dark eyes
eemed to fire his blood With swift
IOvement he caught her to him.
But as his lips met hers wave Of re- oil
llsion, sudden as uneXplainable made NJ
I'M start back. AS he did 80 he heard t.
he splash of water. A tiny wave was ca
at his very feet The tide 81
I'd risen.
With a cry of horror he sprang to a In
gher point of rock and looked des- yC
'rately toward the path over which he
icy had come. The waves were lick
g hungrily at the base Of the cliff. ly
bove the rock lowered dark and &C
ackless. They were caught In s~r
,athtrap.
But he would not give up hope. Some
'her boat might be near. Again and
'ain he sent his voice ringing out over
G tossing waters.
AS the last echoes died away he
emed to hear faint answering hal
D. Again his cry for help rang out;
ain>camh the -neexinR nnnwaE A 81