The Washington herald., 1908-02-22


our way TO MusseI Rocks, little Made
line and l.
I took her hand to help her down the
steep side of the canyon.
1T is such a little hand" I said
foundly. 1T ought TO be a wee bit
longer. though. for its width"
What funny boy you are, jamie"
Madeline laughed what a compli-
ment. Why didn't you say. It is a
beautiful hand and a perfect one?"
Il suppose it is my Scotch bluntness,
grille" answered. IF had said that
you would have thought I was fatter-
ing. 7 didn't mean to find fault with
the hand. though. It Is pretty hand
We climbed the other side OF the can
yon. and started along the trail, narrow,
as it skirted the sand hills, and hard 10
follow. At its end, Madeline was pink
checked. and her hair was blowing
about her sweet face in dusky little
crinkles
Il can't explore the rocks. and the
caves and all the wonders Of the deep,
till l get my BREATH she declared,
dropping on the sand
There's plenty Of time" answered.
comfortably sitting down by her ~v
have the whole long day before us"
a whole long day" she repeated
musingly. And after the day what
them My pulse leaped. If 1 had my
desire. 1 know what would be after
the day Another day. and another. and
a day beyond that, tiII life was done.
all filled with love and peace and
Madeline
And now that your dredger did not
prove failure. you are a rich man
jamie" She remarked presently. for I
had been silent with my thoughts
Yes / answered. turning my head
10 listen 20 the thrOb OF the engine as e
came 10 me family on The sea breeze.
That was the sound which spelled for
me success But the engines work
the tiny particles OF gold hiding in IN.
black sands were being taken out as no
other device had ever brought them or
and the invention was the child OF my
brain. Perhaps my jubilation had made
me oyersure.
To one who understands the law. the
demand for something creates the sup
ply. 1 have success and riches. but
neither is sufficient" I remarked ar
rogantly- Madeline YOU are the girl
for me, ! want 10 change the gold that
the sand gives up to me into laces and
silks and fire linen for you. dear. into
jewels 10 sparkle in your little pink
ears. and AT your white throat, and on
your pretty hands. ! want to spend my
gold for YOU as a king would give TO
his queen May ! MadelIneg'
Why jamie" Madeline was looking
up at me laughing. though her dark
eyes held no hint OF laughter. why.
jamie. YOU win turn poet yet. That
was pretty, pretty speech"
A breath from the sea, piercing cold.
struck me
But you haven't answered my ques-
ton yet. dear" l said haltingly.
The demand for something creates
the supply; YOU said so. jamie. but I
don't believe 1t is always true Not in
this case. anyway. 1t is good CT YOU To
want TO buy things FOR me. but / must
deeline-with thanks
But Madeline, you have 10 work now.
and I could do everything for you
The little head was raised SO in
dependenuy.
i am proud 10 earn my own living.
thought you understood me better than
that
The unkind breath OF the sea struck
words made cold my heart
"If you could change your mind -
began, I could wait till-till-"
It'll sour grapes become sweet. ana
the mulberry leaf satin?" she smiled.
You would tire OF waiting, but "
won't talk about it any more Now I'm
rested. shall we explore the caves?"
rose at once, and helped her TO her
feet Without animation. and almost in
silence. we looked at the different col
ored Lodges OF the cave ceiling; we saw
the little spOnges on the rocks: we
viewed the curious coal tar formations:
and then We took the narrow trail
homeward
'-The day has grown go cold. jamie
that ii wont be pleasant TO stay as we
had planned to do" she said but her
dark eyes evaded mine as she said it.
/ understood. 1t was not the change
OF the day that had come TO us, but the
change in ourselves, in our relations 10
each other
Next day brought news of storm at
sea- The sun was shining, but the
waves were running immensely high.
Standing in the door OF my cabin.
twelve feet above the sands, I saw it.
and realized my finish. Ny house. and
the house which sheltered Madeline
and the other houses on the bluff were
probably not in danger; but my
dredger, When man stands twelve
feet above ocean level, and cannot view
tho open sea because Of the height OF
the breakers. he clearly understands
the fate of a gold dredger. or any other
object in its very path.
Ia the course of hours. it was ali
over Looking at the deceptive calm.