The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-13
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
opyright. 1912. by the Associated
Literary Press.

Copyright. 1912. by the Associated
Literary Press
Beyond the red marshes lay tht
sea In the gray November days II
was a tumbling sea, with the waves
tep,pcd %ttif-~htte foam -eemina
in heavily through the rusty marsh
grass.
But it was at low tide that Marta's
little dory slipped down the silver
pathway OF the streams that cut theil
uas through the marshes --
Sometimes she met Sim Gregor,
coming back with Holsters from the
early morning catch. and Sim would
shake back his black lock. and would
ask in his surly way. What good
things are you taking to your dad
this morning. Marta" and Marta
would pipe up with her clear note
It's fried clans"
For Martas father worked on the
new causeway. helping with his labor
to- make a permanent way to tbs
rocky promotory which Was cut of
from the mainland at high tide.
Sim Gregory. or. as the people OF
the town called him, Black Gregory.
did not work on the cAuseway. He
preferred the free method OF earning
his living In the sea- He sold his
Holsters TO the summer hotels. and In
winter sent them to the city. He
lived in a tiny and very comfortable
cottage. which had been built In
substantial fashion by his great
grandfather The value of the land
on which it stood had increased
greatly. but Sim cared little fol
money.
Perhaps that was the reason he
y - - hAtv y,
man who had been educated in the
village school should be content tc
dream hts life away was a thing these
ambitious folk could not understand
1t was because Marta carried her
fathers dinner down tho silver high
ways that SiHr Gregory came through
the marshes with his mornings catch
rather than land at the docks In
deeper water.
Sim loved Marta. Every day he
brought her some offering from the
sea. Sometimes 1t was only handful
of pretty shells. sometimes IT was
big lobster or cod just caught
Sometimes Marta refused the gifts
Il can't take Them" she said TO Sim.
one morning, as he held out to her
a pair of shining mackerel.
why not?"
Marta looked away from him az
she answered. Mother says IT isn't
right. She wants-she wants me to
marry Edward Pond, Sim
Sim leaned far over and drew her
dory close TO his own with strong
hand.
Marta" he said, with a sharp In
take OF his breath. Marta. are you
going to marry Ed"
She shook her head. NO, no.
don't love him. but mother has set
her heart on it,
Why does she want to-sell---
you?"
Marta raised her head quickly.
Don't YOU speak Of II that way.
Mother Doesn't reaiixe--Shs only
thinks that Edward 10 prosperous and
can give me a lovely home-and--
and"
Sims hand fell from the dory and
the two boats drifted apart.
Yes. he can give you q lovely
homes that all you ask Of life.
Marta -
II don't know"
did you never think that you
might ask more than that, that you
might ask life to give you love?"
Her boat was drifting out with the
tide. and her whisper came back
idlntiy, bul II ! dShcO-WOul0 iAc
give 1t to me?"
a strong pull on the oars again
brought their boats together.
Il will give 1t to you. Marta. You
know that will. Who 10 Edward Pond
that he should offer you a house and
a dull and prosperous career? Come
to me. and we'll live-and love--till
eternity. Marta"
His breath came quickly. His head
WAS up. and with his dark hair flung
back from his forehead. revealing It's
whiteness. with his dark eyes lighted
with love and tenderness, he took on
a nobility Of aspect which made him
seem q different man.
''SiH," Marta said. softly. Him--
would you make me happy !"
mot II riches are what you want"
Again his hand was drawing her
boat close.
Il must Co." she said. hurried
ly: tomorrow morning--I'il be here
must 60"
The boats drifted apart. Something
~lut oh A q = EIun'a hAn r. an Marta want