Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-03-06
WEEKLY SHIRT STORY
FATE AND THE SEA SHELL
By Ina wright Hanson.

-
Casino at santa Cruz. jeanette Wash
burn had been the last OF the batners
&c leave the surf. and In her usual
reckless manner had started TO swim 7
TO the raft after she was tired enough
10 leave the water. Sac made the
raft all right. but halfway back she
went under.
Patricia. on the pleasure pier. had
given the alarm and two men put Oui
In a boat. Before they bore their
dripping burden up the pier steps a
crowd had gathered from all direc-
lions. The beach policeman bad come
running TO press them back and al
low the men to hurry through with
the half-drowned girl.
Then the crowd dispersed, except
Patricia, who had given the alarm
When one walks always with a crutcl
Il is better not TO walk In a crowd.
So she waited Till the pier was de-
serted and she bad found that Jean
netts would recover. Then she went
home.
Usually Patricia's slow steps were
wearisome 70 her, for the beauty OF
the hills kept her company, the How
ers along the way were her FRIENDS,
and tie voice OF the lcean said 10
her many things; bu today she saw
neither hills nor flowers. and she
heard nothing but her own heart
CRY. Ernest Wentworth loves Jean
nette."
she had heard IL yesterday, and q
glimpse OF his white face In the crowd
today confirmed the runOr. that he
WAS going 10 marry Jeanette Wash
burn. She had said IL over and over
IN the night watches. waging war with
toll IA
be ashamed for giving its lOv unasked.
When she saw Jeanette near 20
drowning she was wild 10 plunge 10
and swim out TO her and save her
and not for Jeannette's own sake.
Everything is denied a cripple,
she thought with un wOnted bitterness
as she reached her fathers gate Ell
I were like other girls he might have
chosen me-"
Late in the afternoon, in the brief
hours between dinner and the gay
life OF the evening. when she knew
the Casino would be almost deserted
she went back 20 sit on the steps and
look silently seaward.
On the sand was a lone figure
woman IN a faded green dress, Us
skirts held ungracefully up from The
kelp as she walked the damp sands
gathering sea shells.
Patricia, wathcing her drearily, saw
her pick up one. look at Il carefully
then put 70 in her jacket pocket Tbs
next she threw away. perhaps becaus,
OF nav. OF break, or lack OF lustcr.
Dreaming" said a voice yer.
pleasant 10 Patricia's ears. and Went
worth sat down beside her.
"Ionder Is fate" She pointed &
the shell gathercr. Choosing, reject
ing: blessing, cursing. .. poor littl
thrOwn-away shellsi"
She had tried 20 make her word
sound light but the man heard "a
note OF pain. He bent toward hel
and his voice was very kind.
81 have known you a year" he sal,
"and / never saw you morbid before
but you are morbid now. You az
tired. The excitement this moTnin
was too much for YOU"
Yes" she acknowledged. Il wa
on the pleasure pier when Jeauneti
went down. / had n wild desire
plunge la and save her. and have m
picture in the paper afterward.
wanted 10 be the star OF the matine
you see. and This creation OF boar
and pad wouldn't let me"
She smiled whimsicaly down at {.
crutch. and Up at him. She was gls
be could not read her thoughts. s.
would bee very gay-if he did not ST.
too long
Perhaps Wntworth could not re,
her thoughts. but he could see th
her eyes were tired. and he look
at them. and at the sweet. sensiu
mouth. ia the way that a lover lool
Patricia, know OF n golden con
try In which lives a golden lady y
gOlden-haired, for her hair is dark
ours. but having a heart OF gold. al
a spirit OF tried gold. Her eyes a
dark toO-let me see how dark. +
The caress In his tones made \
triCia."
tremble. He meant only 20 be kind
If be could have known the anguish
but she raised her eyes obediently
his for an instant. and smiled at hi
She was a very brave Patricia, q
crippled girl.
Just rs dark and beautiful as you
Patricia Well. this golden lady won
have gone out into the great wo
10 do lots OF great things, but circu
stances forced her 20 stay IN her o
domains. So, instead OF being d
consulate because she could not
what she would do. she sang a III
song Of cOntentment, and one. hea
sore and weary with much suffer-
OF mind and body heard Il. and sou,
out the way OF peace. Know the III
Old hedridden woman down by
river Patrcia?"
Wentworth smiled at the gi