The Columbus journal., 1909-12-15
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C80I. haven L On11. We GOT 10
get to the river and So to work. I'll
get some jerked beef add eat it ON the
way. You see" >;z..,.. ..t.-.s-5,
TOM" she protested. .-...,
It's for you," he rejoined, and his,
lips closed together resolutely. =,
He was stepping past her. when
over the seaward edge of the cliff
there came sound like the yell Of
raging sea monster.
'siren!" shouted Blake, whirling
about. r.~y,s, =. ,-'s..,.
The cloud of smoke beyond the clin
end was now rolling up more to the
left He dashed away towards the
north edge of the cliff as though he
intended to leap of into space. The
girl ran after him as fast as she could
over the loose stones. Before she had
covered half the distance she saw him
halt on the very brink of the cliff
and begin to wave and shout like
mailman. A few steps farther ON she
caught sight of the steamer. 1t was
lying close in, only little way of
Even as she saw the vessel. it's siren
responded to Blake's wild gestures
with a series of joyous screams. There
could be no mistake. He had been
seen. Already they were letting 60
anchor, and there was little crowd
of men gathering about one of the
boats. Blake turned and started on a
run for the cliff But Miss Leslie
darted before him, compelling him to
halt.
Watt" she cried, her eyes spar
king with happy tears. tom, it's
come now. You needn't"
Let me by! I'm going to meet
them. l want to -
But she put her hands upon his
shoulders. -.
TOM" she whispered, "let it be
now. before any one-anything can
possibly come between us! Let it
be part of our life here-here. where
I've learned how brave and true
real man can be-"
And then have him prove himself
a sneak" he cried. mo; l won't,
Jenny, I've got you to think of. Wait
till I've seen your father. Ten to
one he'll not hear of it-he1l cut you
off without cent. Not but what I'd
be glad myself; but you're used to
luxuries, grille, and I'm a poor man.
l can't give them to you"
She laid a hand on his mouth and
l>l Of Y; in
Come. now, Mr. Blake; you're not
very complimentary. After surviving
my cooking all these weeks, don't you
think l might do, at a pinch, for
poor mans wife?''
NO, JENNY" he protested. trying
to draw back. You oughtn't to de-
eide now. When you get back among
your friends things may look different.
Think of your society friends! Wait
till you see me with other men-gen-
tlemen! I'm just a rough, uncultured.
ordinary" .
Hush" she cried. and she again
placed her hand on his mouth. You
sha'n't say such cruel things about Tom
my Tom-the man trust-that +"
Her arms slipped about his neck and
her eyes shone up into his with tender
radiance. ts...
"'Tain't fair IL can't stand it,"
"The man I love!" she whispered.
He crushed her to him in his great
arms.
MY little girl!-dear little girl"
he repeated, and he pressed his lips
to her hair.
She snuggled her face closer against
his shoulder and replied in a very
small voice: II suppose you know
that ship captains can m-marry peo-
ple."
But I haven't even a job yeti" he
exclaimed. Suppose your father"
Please listen!" she pleaded. There
was a sound like suppressed sobbing.
What is it," he ventured. and he
listened, greatly perturbed. The
muffled voice sounded very meek and
plaintive: I'll try to do my part
Mr.. Blake-really I will! II hope
We can manage to struggle along
somehow. You know, I have a little
of my own. It's only three-three mil
lion: but"
What" he demanded, and he held
her out at arms length. to stare at her
in frowning bewilderment IF I'd
known that, I'd"
YOU'D never have given me .
chance TOTO propose to you. you
dear old silly" she cried. her eyes
dancing with tender mirth. "See
here!" =-."-
She turned from him. and back
again. and held up a withered, crum-
pied flower. He looked. and saw that
it was the amaryllis blossom.
"You-kept it,"
Because - because, even then,
then, down in the bottom of my heart.
l had begun to realize-to know what
you were like-and of course that
meant Tom, tell me! Do you
think I'm utterly shameless? Do you
blame me for being the one to-to-"
Blame you!" he c.ied. He paused
to put a finger 1nder her chin and
raise her down-bent face. His eyes
were very blue, but there was a twin
kle In their depths. "Oh. yes; It was
dreadful. wasn't It? But guess I've
no complaint to file just now"
THE END.