The leader., 1904-08-27
WHEN THE TIDE
CANE I'm
By EDGAR WELToN COOLEY


sNSSPSt~o4apt -e,As ~ -yt-tA4 NtotS w. VII
yI1EARY, but radiant with happi-
wv ness, Clark Morgan walked rap
idly up the street from the modest
station building through the gathering
twilight. Al combination Of fortunate
circumstances had enabled him to con-
cIude 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 a 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
would sit under the naples and watch
the darkness deepen. see the fireflies
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-valley on the table.
For moment he paused in the CEN
ter OF the room, then a-s1ight 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 naar 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 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 Jagged Fisher
mans Point-like 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 1t 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 a merry whistle
and radiant SMILE His wife met
him at the door and he kissed her and
extended his hand to Bernard.
How nice that we can all spend the
evening together he said; 1T 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.
II dropped in to congratulate Mrs.
Morgan upon her anniversary"
"A kindness we both very much am
preciate, am sure" Morgan answered.
"and, my dear, he added, smiling
pleasantly at his wife, 81 have planned
little diversion for tomorrow. They
say angling is fine of Fisherman
Point, and 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, jubilantly. "of course you
will go. Mr. Bernardo"
"0f course" insisted Mr.. Morgan
'.Of course" insisted Mr.. Bernard,
laughing.
The sunshine fell brilliantly upon
the sea, kissing the waves that dashed
the base of Fisherman's Point into a
spray Of diamonds. Above, the sky
arched, a blue canopy The air, tenn
pered by the salt moisture, was cool
and pleasant.
The three, in Clark Morgan's sail
boat, anchored just off the Point,
fshed and laughed, and were jolly.