Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-02-18
DannariS

knocking sharply on the window
panes; all about the solitary hcuse
the wind Joined its moaning with The
lamentation OF the vast gray wears.
and regularly over the eolian accom-
paniment OF wind and wave cenn the
long walls of the whistlirg buoy sar
down the bay.
Damarls French set a brightly
burning lamp on one Of the kitchen
window sills; 1t was a custom hon
ored by the generations OF Trenches
who had dwelt on that island in tho
bay. that on stormy nights a light
should be kept burning to guide any
man to haven who might be on the
seething waves.
The girl stood looking down the
avenue Of light into the vast grayn ass
beyond. and her strong young face
trembled with emotion, for in the
quiet places Of her heart there was a
great sorrow that rang with the moan.
ing of the waves.
Il set my signal and he failed to
come"
Through the long watches o. .hs
night before Damaris had fought WITH
the grim thing that lay in her b~oth-
er's lungs and protested at each
breath that came in or went ont, and
when the morning had dawned Il t
seemed as II her strength we're gone
Then Damarls had stood In the
| doorway and watched tie rising sus
tinge every wave with brightness. ea6
looked over to the little village on
the mainland where the roofs shone
white.
Over in that village on the main.
land dwelt young DR.. Stickney. With
the earnestness born OF his love FOR
Damaris he had come to the island
day by day and wooed its fair young
mistress with a quiet persistency thG.
was full of latent strength. And when
Damaris had gently tried to make
him understand that his presence vas
superiuous to her happiness he voull
come back the next day and talk lob
iter catching with Lon.
To satisfy his persistency she had
made the concession of a promige
that II ever she wanted him she would
hoist square white flag on her pole
and he would come whatever might
Se in the way he would come to hur.
And as she had watched the mo n
ng light dancing on the crests of the
waves she had stretched out her
lands as II something of the mans
ltrength came to her across the wa
ers.
nnt 7 xuf1
Marc Stickney," she cried. and 10
minutes later a square of white sail
10th floated broad in the morning
unlight
As she looked into the vast gray
less of the coming night the sorrow
4 it filed her young heart; It was for
on's sake she had waved that mes.
age to the strong man across the wa
ers and he had not needed her neoes-
'ity. Now that the darkness and
torn had come 1t was too late.
The girl was very weary and now
hat Lon was better and sleeping
| ,uietly their was time for thought 1t
vas a bitter thing that her call had
leen disregarded and she spoke quick
y to herself:
"1'll haul down the fag!"
Out in the night all was blackGese
ave for the shaft of light from the
7irdow and the twinkling OF the Twin
lights on a reef far out to sea. The
leet cut sharply against Damarls'
ace as she ran along the cliff, and the
ind tore wildly at her hair. The
ag cracked smartly above her head
nd Damaris pulled frantically at tn;
,alyards TO haul it down.
81 could pull like this at a mans
esrt!" she cried. and her laUs,
cLoed into the moaning OF the wave
With long. ripping tear the 19S
ane down. A great sob burst from
'smarls. She had felt so certain Q
larc Stickney in her hour of need,
The buoy whistled shriller now. anC
5e roar Of the storm was echo'n.
ON the waves. AS Damaris ss.~-
cred back through the wildness c,
he night she fell strangely alone
midst the vastness Of the storm.
She pushed open the kitchen door
nd stood amazed on the threshold,
er fair hair blown loose about her
lead and the flush OF the wind on her
ace. tall man by the stove turned
snd put out both hands.
"Damarisi" he said.
The girl threw back her head.
Tons better" she said, briefly.
Marc Stickney did not move, but
he cords rose on his strong, young
ace.
II sent for you this morning for
on" explained Damaris.
The man raised one hand slightly
my mother saw your signal set for
le. / have come from far to do your
'idding. plmaris!"
Lon needed you," said the girl.
,he still held fast TO the dripping
a'a,e Of sail cloth that she had torn
/ rom the night.
All at once Damaris remembered
hat this man had done for her; how
must have come over the danger
'usly seething bay at the peril of his
wn life; how he had not failed of
| ne promise, even though It must cost
ending in the angry waters.
"Damaris Is It that my coming is
0thing to your" he asked, and all the
-rength of love was in his face.
The girl leaned slightly forward
ne sail cloth lay in a heap on the
uor. All that mattered now was this
N and the Joy that seemed bursting
CT heart She put out her hands to