The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-08-25
WHEN THE TIDE
CAME in
By EDGAR WELTON COOLEY
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,

NIEARY, but radiant with happi.
w ness, Clark Morgan walked rap
idly up the street from the modes:
station building through the gathering
twilight. A combination of fortunate
circumstances had enabled him to con-
clude his business affairs "a hours
sooner than he had anticipated, and he
had thus been enabled to reach home
on the evening of his wife's birthday
This fact added elasticity to his
steps and buoyancy to his spirits. He
had little present for Gertrude
tucked away in his grip, an inexpen-
sive little bauble, but one she had long
desired.
He planned to slip in upon her and
take her by surprise. Then he would
present her with the gift, and they
the darkness deepen, see the firefiies
arise from the grass and hear the
booming of the beetles through the
gloom, and the splashing of the sea
upon the rocks.
Quietly he slipped through the gate.
when he reached the summer cottage,
crept silently across the lawn, and en-
tered noiselessly at the side door.
The living room was vacant; the
last rays of the sun struggled through
the lace curtains and kissed the CELL
ing. Shadows lowered in the corners:
a deep silence reigned everywhere-a
silence perfumed by vase of lilies
of-the-yalley on the table.
For a moment he paused in the CEN
ter of the room, then slight rustic
from the parlor reached him, and he
smiled
Softly he stepped to the portieres
and, drawing one of them slightly,
peeped through the narrow opening.
Gertrude stood near the piano. At
her side was James Bernard. His arm
encircled her waist; her arms were
around his neck; her head was slightly
bowed; his lips were pressed against
her forehead.
: James Bernard was Clark Morgan's
closest personal friend. The latch
string at the Morgan home had always
been out to him.
Silently the portiere slipped from
the husbands fingers and blotted the
picture from his sight For a moment
he stood immovable, and a thousand
thoughts passed through his mind.
Then he turned his head and glanced
out the window, gazing for miles
across the restless sea. On the far
horizon rested a jagged rock-Fisher-
mans Point-like a grim monument
to his dead happiness. From the sea
a deep gloom swept toward him. He
stretched forth his arms as though to
welcome it. If it were only everlast-
ing oblivion!
Again his glance rested upon Fish
erman's Point 1t was sinking from
sight; the tide was rising. 1t would
go down into the sea and the waves
would sweep over it, like the waves
were sweeping over him. But on the
morrow it would rise again, even as he
would when the great sorrow had
passed.
Thinking thus, he crept out again
into the shadows, and when he re-
turned it was with merry whistle
and a radiant smile. His wife met
him at the door and he kissed ner and
extended his hand to Bernard.
How nice that we can all spend the
evening together he said; lit will be
a pleasant ending to Gertrude's birth
day"
He smiled at his wife, but her eyes
dropped before his, and he thought he
saw the suspicion of blush upon her
cheek.
Yes" replied Bernard, carelessly.
81 dropped in to congratulate Mrs.
Morgan upon her anniversary"
"A kindness we both very much ap-
preciate, l am sure" Morgan answered,
land, my dear" he added, smiling
pleasantly at his wife, 81 have planned
a little diversion for tomorrow. They
say angling is fine off Fisherman's
Point, and l suggest we three-now
don't say you can't spare the time,
Bernard, old chap-sail out there to-
morrow afternoon, taking along some
luncheon and enjoy the sport until
dusk"
How delightful" exclaimed Mrs.
Morgan, jubllantly. ''Of course you
will go, Mr.. Bernardo"
"Of course" insisted Mr.. Morgan.
'Of course" insisted Mr.. Bernard,
laughing.
The sunshine fell brilliantly upon