Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-24

fro, in gray outline, upon the painted
floor. 1t was that Of the poor wretch
Andy, mending old Caleb's nets on the
rude bench.
You are very young, are you not
Mrs. Gaff?" said Hume, in an altered
voice
Don't call me by that name" she
protested. II quite hate it! Say Rose
instead. Yes, am young" with sad
little smile; barely eighteen"
And how long have you been Andy
Gafrs wife,"
She grew pale.
1.-TWO years." she faltered.
The gray shadow, wavering back
and forth on the bare boards, with
gaunt arm outstretched, as it drew the
needle filled Hume with sudden great
aversion.
Good Heaven" he burst out. What
monstrous thing is this? How did it
happen? Had you no guardian, no
friends, to prevent such an unnatural
union-such a unholy sacrifice? Did
you take him of your own free will,
and where were your uncle and cousin
tho while?"
He had gone too far.
"Hush!" she commanded, with more
dignity than she had yet shown. You
must not speak Of my marriage, or
my husband, Mr.. Hume. Nobody ever
does-nobody asks questions about
either. AS a gentleman you should
know that your curiosity Is neither po-
lite nor permissible"
The rebuke was sharp enough to
bring the color to his face.
IL beg your pardon, Miss Rose-such
strange state of things made me for
the moment forget myself"
The smiles came back to her red lips.
You are pardoned, on condition that
you will not offend again. I hate to
talk Of my marriage-I hate to feel
sorrowful and wretched. You must not
say things to make me cry"
God forbid
He was spared further words, for at
that instance old Caleb and Bess Hill
yer entered the porch together.
The bluff fisherman greeted Hume
Hospitality.
I'VE bear you no malice, sir, for leav-
ing your mark on Bess," he said, with
twinkle in his eye 1T takes more
than a scratch to put her out. A girl
that's cruissds for years Itwixt wind and
water, and helped to bury dead men at
sea, ain't easily fustered. Now, here's
one of another sort"-pinching Roses
seashell ear. she's got no grit at all,
but she can coax and Gajole; I reckon
she was born just fer that-eh, little
one?"
The sailor girl had been out in Ca
leb's boat faint crimson burned in
her olive cheek, and her black braids
were softly ruffled. A grand, bright
creature sound alike in body and
mind. 1t was easy to believe all the
heroic things that were told of her.
Hume examined her wounded arm, and
found it already healing.
II wish that had been shot in place
If Bess!" said Rose, as she leaned on
her cousins chair, disarranging the
oandages and confusing Hume with her
soft smiles and restive movements.
1T is worth a little pain to be the OBJ
ject Of so much interest. Yes, l quite
envy Bess all the excitement of this
mishap"
High noon was the dinner hour at
the cove-the people there followed the
primitive customs. Hume, after much
urging, consented to dine with the Hill
yers.
1t was a delightful. though simple,
repast. Martha Bray was no mean
cook, and the old Nankin ware upon
the board had been brought by Cap
tain John Hillyer from the Far East,
In the midst of the meal Bess glanced
around with a disturbed air.
Where is Andy?" she asked, fixing
her eyes on Rose.
A frown gathered on the lovely brows
If the younger girl.
"I don't KNOW don't care" she an
swered, in a vexed voice. Leave him
10 Martha Bray"
When the dinner was over, Hume,
unable to frame an excuse for tarrying
longer, arose to depart. At the same
moment Martha Bray put her head in
at the door.
That unfortinit critter won't touch
his vittles," she announced, shrilly. Il
dunno what I'm goin' to do with him.
EIe has no more sense than sea
goose"
Never mind, Martha" answered
Rose, smiling like an angel. 1T does
MT matter in the least, you know-let
him severely alone"
| Somehow the words Jared on Hume
Bess cast a glance Of unmistakable re-
proach on her cousin, then turned and
went quickly out.
AS Hume stepped into the porch, 10!
there on the old bench sat Andy, and
by his side knelt the sailor girl. Her
sound hand was laid gently, coaXingly,
on the net members arm.
| Andy. Andy" she said, and Hume
| lIldTNelSu DIT Tic Va NlAS SOitS'
you will come and take your dinner,
will you not? 1t is Bess who asks
you-you always try to please Bess,
you know. Poor, poor boy! 1 wish
that l could make you comprehend, for
Just one moment, how 1 pity you!-
perhaps it might help you to bear your
horrible fate. All, you do understand
something Of it, do you not. Andy!
Show me that you do. Put down the
tiresome nets. and come with me-"
Her handsome face was wet with
tears Hume experienced a sudden,
queer shock Great Heaven! Did the
brave, bright sailor girl really care for
that wretched creature-that hopeless
wreck of a man? Verify she did, and
in no common degree!
A change seemed to pass over Andy's
sOdden face. He fixed his vacant eyes
on the kneeling girl. and faint light
fickered in their cloudy depths, as
though some breath had blown on a
dying ember and the responsive facul-