Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-03
shifted. Asserting up for me, Bess?

Bess gave a slight start.
"Strangers?"
youngsters from yacht in the har.
Dor. One O. 'em had words with Dave
Grant. He knocked Dave down, and
then cut and run. The boys pretended
to foller, but give it up without ba6
feeling Dave, howsomever, Is as mad
las a dogfish-swears he'll have the
lyachter's life. Lor', 'twar nothing but
boys play"
What was the stranger like, Uncle
Caleb?"
"Handsome-uncomm He called
himself and his mates Frenchmen-no-
body believed him."
Uncle Caleb, that man has been
here at the cottage tonight, with Rose
and me-" And she told him the story
Of the evening.
Its the same" said Caleb, good
naturedly; I'm glad you war civil to
him, Bess. That ere Dave has wick
eG temper He'll git himself hanged
some day. If the young gentleman
comes agin, make him welcome"
Bess felt an unaccountable thrill of
dismay. She dared not unburden her
mind to Uncle Caleb, or give express
sion to the fears that possessed her. So
she took her lamp, and followed Rose
to bed
That young person was already fast
asleep, her pink cheeks resting in her
little palm, her golden hair curling
softly over the pillow. She was smil-
ing in her dreams.
Bess went to the window and looked
out.
Through the purple window the moon
rode serenely. The sea was a great
track of silver light. On the beach a
murmur of restless waves brove the
silence; .afar the beacon burned.
Yonder was the path by which he
had vanished into the night-a DASH
ing, gallant figure, we'll fitted to leave
an impression on any womans memo
ry. He had promised to come again.
The spell of Roses riant beauty was
upon hint would draw him back.
He would keep his word, for her sweet
sake Yes, it would all be for Rose!
A strange pang shot through the brave
heart of the sailor girl-not envy, not
jealousy, but still a sharp and bitter
pang Then, as If touched with sud-
den remorse, she bent and softly kissed
the sleeper.
Love is your birthright," she MUIR
mured; "happy happy Rose!"
And Rose slept on undisturbed. All
night she dreamed of the Prince
Charming who had come to her in the
dust of a tomb. At dawn-for the
people of the cape were early risers-
she was making her toilet before the
old fashioned mirror in the small
chamber and smiling to herself at the
recollection Of the nights dreams.
The odors Of coffee, and fish frying
over hot Goals, and the voices of Bess,
and Martha Bray, the "help," both
busy with the breakfast, ascended to
the little chamber Rose, who never
bothered her pretty head with the
small cares of life, snatched up her
hat and ran out on the shore.
The wind had died in the night. The
sea lay palpitating with pink and gold
and changeful opal tints Among
weedy lodges the tide FLASHED in and
out with a gentle sound. The scent Of
balsam frs was in the air, and under
Rose Hillyer's feet clumps of bayberry
bushes exhaled a delightful perfume.
Her foolish young heart was beating
wildly Where was Mr.. Andres yacht?
She had brought old Caleb's battered
glass with her, and scrambling up the
rocks, she adjusted it and began ca
gerly to search the harbor. AS she
did so voice at her side said:
Miss Rose, I ought to have gone
with the seine boats this morning, but,
fore God, couldn't. 1 had to come
here and talk with you instead"
She lowered the glass with sharp
exclamation, and, turning, found her
self face to face with that hulking
young fisherman-Dave Grant.
She had never in her life exchanged
dozen words with the man, and on
ordinary occasions there was nothing
about him to hold her attention for an
instant. So, in mingled surprise and
disdain, she answered:
Pray, what have you to say to me?"
His embarrassed hands were thrust
into his peajacket. He shifted his
weight from one foot to the other.
"A good many things, Miss Rose; but
principally l want to ask you, quiet
and civil, to marry me. I don't say I'm
your equal know you're got book
Ilearning-I know old Caleb sent you
two years to a Bangor school, and
more'n that, God made you at the
start of a different sort. Still I'm an
honest man, and fairly we'll to do, and
my love ought to count for something. v
She laughed Historically. Twenty
four hours before she would perhaps
have been more pitiful to this suitor,
less impatient of his stupidity. But the
world had all changed to the little
cape beauty in four and twenty hours.
"Unluckily your love counts for moth
ing with me-" she answered. How
dare you even dream Of such thing?''
stamping her foot in her Indignation.
Then you won't have me?" he
said.
mo, indeed" And she resumed her
glass, and her seaward gazing. He
lcrept little nearer to her side.
Il reckon I'm the first man that ever
asked you to marry" he said hoarse-
ly; but | sha'n't be the last. Good
Lord it drives me wild to think
sha'n't be the last"
No reply.
Miss Rose. I've loved you long
time, and I've kept silent about it be-
cause l was sure you wouldn't look at
me. l was sure Of it before 1 spoke a
word to you First Of all. you're born
beauty, and you know it; and in the
second place you're Hillyer, and the
whole race, except old Caleb, are too
prOud by far"