Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-19
WHEN THE TIDE
 CAME IN
ecopy4ght, 1ooa, by Daily Story Pub. :, e.,
By EDGAR WILTON COOLEY

Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col fyXTEARY, but radiant with happi- w ness, Clark Morgan walked rap idly up the street from the modest station building, through the gathering twilight. A combination of fortunate circumstances had enabled him to con- clude his business affairs 24 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 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 theS cell ing Shadows hovered in the corners: deep silence reigned everywherea silence perfumeA by a vase of lilies of -the-v valley on the table.
 For 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 though 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.
 
 the husbands fingers and plotted the picture from his sight. For moment he stood immovable, and 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 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. It was sinking from sight; the tide was rising. It would go down into the sea and the waves would sweep over it, like the waves were sweeping ever 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 ner and extended his hAnd to Bernard.
 How nice that we can all spend the evening together, he said; it 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 a blush upon her cheek.
 Yes replied Bernard, carelessly "I dropped in to congratulate Mrs Morgan upon her anniversary"
 "A kindness we both very much ap- preciate, am sure" Morgan answered, "and, my dear" he added, smiling pleasantly at his wife, 'I have planned a little diversion for tomorrow They ss.y angling is fine eff Fisherman's s Point, and suggest we three-now don't say yeu can't spare the time, Bernard, old chap-sail out there to- morrow afternoon, taking along some luncheon a.d enjoy the sport until dfsk'
 "How delightful" exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, jubilantly. ''Of course yau will go, MT. Bernard?"
 ''Of course, insisted Mr. Morgan.
 "Of course,' insisted MT. Bernard, laughing.
 The sunshine fell brilliantly upon the sea, kissing the waves that dashed the base of Fisnerman's Point into a spray of diamonds Above, the sky arched. blue canopy The air. tenn