Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-31
CHAPTER XVI.
Disaster.

Disaster.
The world was two weeks older.
On the little beach at Hillyer's Cove
sat Rose, a soft, motionless, meditative
heap, her chin resting on her hand, her
violet dark eyes fixed on the sea.
A soft haze swathed the suns ardent
face, and tempered the intense blue of
the summer heaven. For once the
winds were still. On a neighboring
headland flock Of sheep grazed-fecks
of murky white showing against the
scanty herbage. Seaward appeared a
fleet of fishing schooners, tacking and
standing off and on. Distant islands
dotted the bosom of the deep-filmy,
indistinct, like
"A dream remembered in a dream"
Rose had just returned from the
postoffice. For the last few days she
had walked that way often and secret
ly. Neither Bess nor Uncle Caleb
dreamed Of the feverish anxiety which
was consuming the girl, nor her
unfrequented cliff path. Now, as she
pressed one hand to her bosom, the
rustic of paper answered her, and she
smiled at the sound A letter. scented
with violets, was concealed there. To-
day Rose Gaff had something pleasant
to think about. ~ --.. &C.
"Once 1 went sailing in the jigger,
she murmured to herself, "and we came
in sight of an island called the Storm.
Uncle Caleb said it was the property of
Boston gentleman who had travelled
everywhere, and knew everything. How
can l find the place again? 1t Is far,
An approaching step, shuffiing heav-
lily along the beach, dispersed her
meditations.
Andy.
He did not seem to see his beautiful
wife, but advanced in the aimless, me-
chanical way that always suggested a
mind blotted out, soul cropping In
dense darkness Rose lifted her chin
from her pink palm, and watched him.
A few yards away Caleb Hillyers
boat was drawn up on the shore. An
Gy's eyes chanced to alight upon it, and
he quickened his pace, as though some
flash of intelligence had been convey
ed to him by the sight. He unmoored
the little craft, pushed it into the wa
ter, took his seat with a suddenly light
and easy motion, and, fitting the oars
in the thwarts, began to recede from
the beach.
All the while Rose sat with her in
different gaze fixed on her husband
fully aware of what he was about to
do but speaking no word, making no
movement to prevent him.
The boat shot out into the water
Did the watcher on the shore care
nothing for the danger which threat
ened the unfortunate man? Luckily
other eyes than hers were upon him
Swift feet came flying down the path
from Caleb HillyeTs cottage. The voice
Of the sailor girl cried, Indignantly:
Rose, how could you let him dc
that?"
And she began to call to Andy. He
paused, with oars uplifted. His cloud
ed intelligence responded to that voice
as to no other.
Come backbone back" she cried
You will be carried out to sea, Andy
and lost"
In her terror she waded into the
water, holding out her arms-coaxine
the poor fellow by every kind word
which she thought he might under
stand.
Andy. you cannot manage the boa,
you do not know the harbor. Come
back at once. Do you want to drown?
"And suppose such thing should
happen sneered Rose. 1T would be
no misfortune. either to himself or to
us. You will drown yourself if you
don't take care!"-for the sailor CIR
was shoulder deep in water by this
| time.
Rose, k IS simply murder for you tc
sit there and watch your husband de-
stroy himself"
The younger girl laughed.
How tragic you are! Look! he Is
coming back Have l not always sale
that you are the only person who car
manage him."
Andy had actually cOmprehended the
distress Of the sailor girl. He put back
to the shore, beached old Caleb's boat
and followed Bess, as. dripping witt
brine, she started for the cottage.
After ALL he knows his friends,
said a voice at Roses shoulder.
She looked up. and encountered the
critical gaze of Nigel Hume.
You witnessed that pathetic scene
them" she drawled.
II was coming along the beach
could not shut my eyes"
"Of course you think me very heart
less" with a shrug. ITO tell the truth
il did not occur to me that Andy wa:
in peril till Bess rushed to the rescue
He will always listen to Bess. Consid
ering how little he knows, her power
over him is quite surprising. Some
time she may be able to restore his wit:
altogether"
A moment before her utter callous'