Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-04-16

amazed Mr.. Lane.
Make out you wanted her yourself:
cut out the captain all the time and
make him jealous. Then he'll speak,
III do it," exclaimed Mr.. Lane
with enthusiasm. You can depend OF
me. Miss Dodd."
Mr.. Lane, who had been an occasion.
al visitor at the Craig cottage, now
became assiduous In his attentions tc
MISS Cecilia Sandhurst and Miss Dodd
spurred on Capt. Davidge to action.
Il wouldn't let my mate beat me-"
she said; speak up and she will have
you"
The Salome sailed for Boston a few
Gays later. but Captain Bob found time
10 stop at Miss Cynthia's cottage be-
fore sailing.
"Cecilias said yes" he remarked
She congratulated him; but she was
gloomy that day. All her friends were
setting down. and she would miss
Captain Bob.
Stretching out northwestwardly
from the port of Sandhurst was
long submerged ledge, a dangerous
menace to vessels in thick weather,
and there had been many wrecks and
several lives lost on those hidden
rocks; hence. when a fierce Worcester
roared through the streets OF the vii
lage. bringing with 1t whirling
smudge Of snow that merged the short
day into night long before it's time,
people who had friends at sea prayed
that they might be far from Sandhurst
ledge that stormy night
Among those who wrung their hands
and prayed was Cynthia Dodd. The
Salome was due at Sandhurst, and
with that bowling gale driving along
she would not be behind time. AS the
night drew down the gale increased,
and she stood on the porch, miserably
nervous, unmindful OF the blast and
swirling snow.
A man bearing lantern ran past the
cottage.
There's a vessel on the ledge!" he
bawled; they say It's the Salome!"
Miss Cynthia flung a cloak about
her and ran after the man to Daw-
kin's tavern, near the beach, where a
crowd OF women and old men were
assembled. Some wept, ithers garru-
lously gave their opinions, and others
still gaZed vacuously into the night,
all waiting for the news they dreaded
to hear.
Cecilia Craig stood gazing toward
the beach, pale and shuddering, and
Miss Cynthia, noting her, found to
her amazement that she hated her.
Not for her life could she have gone
to the young woman and whispered
she shrank back into the gloom.
Then the wind bore with it some
thing beside bite and snow-swirl. 1t
was a shout Blown to shreds as Ii
was, there was yet significance IN
IL that caused sn old seaman to NUT
ter. Thank Cod" and to rush to-
wards the beach. 1t came again, that
shout, stronger now and articulate.
"All safe!" was its burden, and women
cried with joy and old men halloed
back in screechy tones. Then came
disjointed words plainly from the
crowd approaching.
cit was the Salome'
''She hit the ledge. but Bob managed
to back her or
Bully boy. Captain Bob"
Miss Cynthia stood trembling until
a man rushed among them and threw
his arms about Cecilia Craig. Then
Cynthia Dodd fed homeward, crying
softly. for she had discovered some
thing. She stood before her mirror
and looked at herself.
you fool!" she cried; "you stupid
fool. Are you crazy?"
Capt. Davidge called on Miss Dodd
while she was eating her breakfast
the following morning. Miss Cynthia
didn't look at him; but then she was
not looking at her best. Her face was
pale and her eyes swollen and red.
II want to tell you something" said
Captain Bob, abruptly.
us 1t about Cecilia." asked Miss
Cynthia. with q shudder.
Part Of 1t U.s." he replied; shes
going TO marry Tom Lane the nrst Of ;
the month"
Miss Dodd dropped her cup. thereby !
breaking a set she had inherited from
her grandmother. and gazed airighted
at the captain.
"Oh. Robert!" she walled. "it's all
my fault did It am the cause OF
It I set him ON to it"
Captain Bob approached the weep
ing woman.
Cynthia, he. said, nervously. Il
never wanted to marry Cecilia
wanted You was afraid to ask you,
Ior we MAD been friends so long that
aaleu the idea Of breaking on from
'ou, aho was sure you'd say no..
io' wanted me?' exclaimed Miss
Ala. Historically.
wo very happy people ate break
st in the Dodd cottage that morning.