Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-01-15


brought the tiny craft alongside Of US.
They're watching the house closely,
Mr.. Felix" he said. at was all could
do to get down to the river without their
following"
The canoe had brought us hot coffee,
eggs and rolls We breakfasted in state
in the cabin, with Charles to wait upon
us. he had little news, beyond the fact
that the pines were patrolled by a num-
Der of men.
After breakfast we passed the time as
best we could. but the morning went
slowly, and we were glad when lunch was
ready. This was a meagre meal, made
up OF the scraps of the provisions Bar
bara had brought us. l told Charles that
| preferred to have him stay with us, ss
there was no telling when we phould
need every able-bodied man we could find,
and so he brought the canoe on board,
slowed her on the after-dec6, and devoted
himself to the small duties on his new
housekeeping.
Duponceau and Islip had slept little the
night before, and shortly after lunch they
took up their hunks to nap. was on
guard on the forward deck when l heard
voice call, "Ship ahop" and looked up
to see Barbara on the cliff.
called to Charles to take my place
for few moments and sailed forth to
shore. Barbara Joined me at the foot
of the headland.
"Wellr she asked eagerly.
told her the adventures Of the pro-
vious night, and when l came to the ear
ly morning swim her eyes danced as she
clapped her hands with delight. "Oh, I
wish had been out there with you !" she
cried. I've always wanted to try a swim
in the dark"
Its just as well you weren't" l an
swered sagely.
She looked somewhat longingly out to
sea. What beautiful afternoon And
are the rest Of the crew workingf"
The rest of the crew are sleeping.
They had too much coffee for dinner last
night, and It kept them awake"
"And what is Charles doing?"
l pointed to the deck. Hes on guard.
That's the reason I'm here"
"Oh, that's 1t, Is itf thought you
came to see me-"
"And so | did. Suppose we sit here at
the foot of the cliff, where we can look
out to sea and can't be seen. There's a
little nook know Of"
l found the place that | sought-a So
cret crevice In the rocks-and there we
sat and watched the tide do its best to
reach us as 1t bounded landward. The
afternoon drifted past, and we. borne on
Its tranquility, were now laxative, now
silent. Barbara rolled her sleeves above
her elbows, and played with the water In
little pool beside our ledge of rocks.
Her dreaming eyes brooded over the
ocean. l watched her, tried to turn nv
eyes seward, felt the Irresistible call, and
came back to watching her. Tie time
had come when l coulI think only tho
one thought.
The sun was low, Barbara was hun
ming little French sons. The whole
world was adorable.
Barbara, l love you"
Tho words were out, spoken without
volition. all Of themselves.
She looked up; her singing stopped,
and the deep blush-rose crept into her
face, while her eyes shrank.
Barbara, love you. | have loved you
since l first found you on the Ship, and
l shall go on loving you until l die.
can't help It; It's not only conscious, It's
partly unconscious; it's just you calling
to me. Barbara dear, you are all my
hope In the world. You are the world.
VIII you marry me7"
| was leaning forward, thinking only
of that sweet, that Infinitely sweet face
opposite.
She smiled, her eyes turning to watch
the waves, and | waited spellbound for
her answer.
81 haven't known you very long" she
added, her voice low and what do you
know Of me?"
Everything All l could ever know
that you are the one woman In the
world"
But it's summer, and It's easy to say
such things In summer. It's all part OF
the setting. told you once you were a
dreamer. Dreamers are apt to romance
and that is probably why You are now In
love with the waves and the sunshine and
with me-" The last words were just a
whisper She raised her eyes to mine for
a feeting second, then dropped her lashes
believe me. Barbara. It's not that; Its
; the truth--the truest thing in the world.
She played with the water In the poo
at her side
81 like you-but, then, like many
There's Rodney like also. Perhaps
like you better because l have never seer
you In town, nor anywhere but In you
chosen country. But l can't forget tina
there are other treasures In the sea-
how can you be sure you won't come up
on another and a finer? Then, too.
like men who do things, men who hgh
and win out-and 80 you see" she fin
! ished, with a slight smile, Its not tina
like any one in particular less, but tn
: infinite possibilities more"
'Then," said stubborniy, II viii walt
and prove my meaning 10 yon.7
She raised her eyes frankly to mine -
like that" she said.
! After a time we walked back to he
t path and said good-by. Tbs beach wa
r Empty. Islip was sitting on the Ship
deck, and Barbara waved TO elm and IA
D waved back. l felt sorry for him, soma
how, for now l knew what be must fee
r No wonder he couldn't 90 back to bis be