Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1906-02-14

4
A4e long sand beach seemed to he
a .el--n0t siOec saul in view.
Suddenly from the gray tlmbers of a
wrecked vessels stern rose Dickie
h9%'' head. Half kneeling in his worn
and scanty garments, he rested hand
Oh the Jagged edge of a beam and.
craning his neck, looked up and down
tie beach.
For second he llnelt there, facing
tie cleaning sea. The sun was in the
west. but it was still bright. Well. if
was early yet. She usually came a bit
nearer sunset time. He hastily dived
into one of his pockets and from the
tangle that crammed it extracted three
marbles. tishhook and-his dearly
bought treasure. The salesgirl had
wrapped it dalntily for him with mar
row white ribbon, and he held it care
fully, almost reverently, in both brown
i.ct.o hands.
@minee. I'm glad I've got some
thin to give her before she goes away
so1,ethin to remember me by"
For quarter hour more the sun
marched toward the western horizon.
and then she came. But. alas. she was
not alone! A man was with her-not
one of her numerous summer admirers.
but a man whom Dickie never had
seen. He was young and vigorous. but
there was something about him that
bespoke age-a sternness. even a hard
ness. as of one who had fought battles.
They passed the corner of the wreck
whence Dickie Boys head had risen
just before and went down to the other
end of the vessel, where some fallen
tlmbers made a sheltered seat. They
were both looking away from the dis
mantled stern. and through a conven-
lent opening in it's joints a pair of blue
eyes watched them eagerly. 1t was not
in Dickie's character of youthful ira
ditions to sneak or hide. even less to be
an eavesdropper, but somehow a Gu
rious shyness had invaded him at sight
of the stranger, and he found himself
unable to go forward or speak, but of
the conversation which reached his ears
he understood little or nothing-he was
still such a child.
How plainly we hear the buoyr
said the girl, arranging the border Of
ker blue serge skirt close to her russell
shoes. She was intent upon speaking
of Representatives. The man looked
out to sea. whence came the fitful tone
at disconcerting intervals.
winds in our direction" he remark
ed briefly.
"What makes 1t so sad?' she specu-
lated idly, picking up pebble and
| throwing it. into the surf. 1.-The IT.
regularity of the sound, do you think?''
"Irregularity is not necessarily sad, y
the man objected | think perhaps
it's the aimlessness, the futility of it
dear A bell ought to call people to
gether. and this one warns them off
Therefore it's lonely. 1t must ever be
lonely. That's why it's sad, little girl
The bell swung at the mercy of the
wind and water. Its sound came t
them in the pauses of the surf.
keep away, keep awayw chantet
the girl. with the same measured inter
walls. Yes. | don't know but you're
right. It's a rather doleful burden"
While Ike girl looked silently out t.
sea he reverently studied her gace. witt
its somewhat pale beauty :l.e eject
of the gold hair unGer - yacEtln.
ccp and that Of the caastel'ng indif
ference OF her eyes.
Suddenly he rose and stood befor
her. his broad shoulders Silhouette
against the growing pink of the west
e ern sky.
I'm going away again, Eleanor" b
said. I'm going tonight. though
when | came back that you might low
NE. Perhaps you do. don't know
You don't know yourself. But I've los
my old boyish faith, you see. dii
trust you. and you distrust yourself
and-so-it is hopeless"
He spoke with bitterness TIL
seemed involuntary. Then for one brit
second he stopped and laid his fa'
Z oro'nst tie soft hair on her forehea
she cold not see the yearning tende
ness Of hts expression, but there was
flush on her cheeks and light in h
eyes.
J "You see. Blair she said Slowly II
\ 60 hard for me to know my eN
mind. r.
o "Yes." he threw in. little frown
9 his fo,eheaa. ana it wasn't SO very d
ferent five years, ago.
aYou mean to reoroaeh me, Blair
The flush on tire girls face was deep
now. but the light had died out. I
J note of trouble in her voice melt
him rnconsciously he sat down aga
- on the timbers.
q 81 mean that l have lost hve go
. - ont of my life because you did
= Inow your own mind, little girl-
you had known - =. %
She held out her slim hand to 81
= him Then his eye fell on tiny n
) On the third finger-a ring with a bit
rod stone like drop of blood.
reached over and took the outstretcn
hand. ,,,,,s,no