Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-09-01
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER l. 1916
did not write him. She did not write
of the offers Of marriage thaq followed
ono anothor a, IN mid .auccassion

a collegian, though his mind was with
his heart, and that was across the
ocean. He read with avidity Evalina's
letters and shuddered as he thought OF
the differences between himself, ar
undergraduate of college but a few
years old, without fortune, compared
with some coroneted man with vast
estates. Evalina's letters were reas
surfing, but she was growing from
maidenhood to womanhood, and would
she not give way at last2
However, the period allotted for hei
She did not write her lover that she
was coming home for the reason that
she did not know If she would be per
mitted to return. Her parents were
much chagrined at hearing that she
had refused an earl and the second
son of a duke and were debating
whether to send the funds for her pas
sage back to America or insist that she
remain longer.
1t was two years from the time Of
Evalina's departure that storm suci
az Newport had not experienced II
many years broke upon the coast. Fol
three days the giant waves strucl
wildly upon the cliffs and rolled fal
up into Narragansett bay. Then, OIL
the evening of the third day, the clouds
broke away in the west, and the sur
set in golden splendor.
That night the moon was at the full
Az the sun went down the queen o.
night rose. Edmond, desiring to view
the effect of the storm on the waves
when night had fallen and the moor
was lighting the land and the water
started for the beach. The path wal
lonely, and there was terror In the
tumbiing of the great waves on the
sands. The only likeness to the nigh
of Edmond and Evalina's betrotha
was the full moon.
He had passed midway from thu
town to the water when he saw before
him a figure that he knew to be {
woman by her garments futterlhg II
the wind, which was still strong Sh,
seemed to be coming toward him, bu
as he advanced drew no nearer t
him. He went on until he came to thu
edge Of the beach and saw her still
distant from him, sometimes flittinl
nearer, sometimes farther, and Away
seeming to rock like bird resting OF
the crest of wave.
Whether 1t was the night, still dis
turbed by the storm that had passed
or something bewildering In this I'M
steady figure, Roscoe could never tell
but an appalling premonltion stretch
ed a pail over him like the wings o.
some huge black bird. Sometime
within him seemed to say: "a greal
misfortune has fallen upon you. Thd
wind and the waves are n dirge. Bt
strong or you will be crushed"
And now, having reached polni
overlooking the water, the sands beinl
soaked, progress was slower. Scat
tered ragged clouds were flying above
now and again dashing across the face
Of the moon and shutting off Its light
At these dark periods the fitting figure
was lost, but reappeared when thu
huu PubStu llt lul IBht
the moon was released.
Edmond had spent many an hou
when home from college on the spo
where he and Evallna had Spoken
their betrothal, and he saw that tn,
figure was slowly moving toward 1t
Yet It was the movement Of floating
object, driven by alternate advancint
and recedlng waters, yet borne by al
Invisible tide toward n given point
But Notwithstanding this apparently
slow movement he gained but little OF
the figure. At last 1t reached the very
spot where he and Evalina had plight
ed their trOth. There 1t paused
Fastening his steps so far as he coult
the moon at the moment was over
cast-he advanced TO Join the figure
When he was a few yards from II
bright light burst from the moon AM
revealed Evallna, looking at him will
pale and melancholy vlsage.
He sprang toward her with out
stretched arms, but Mt the moment an
other black cloud swept across the fac,
Of the only available light and hid hi
from her When 1t had passed she hn(
vanished
At his feet was strip OF seaweed.
When morning came boatman stalk
ing along over the soft sands saw 1
man lying 10 still thnt he thought
might be one cast In from n wreck b,
the storm. He found Edmond Roscoe
There was life In him, aud the boat
man after rousing him helped hin
home.
A ship came In and with II new
that Evallna had departed for Amer
lea. But the vessel on which she sail
ed never reached port Pieces OF wrccI
came ashore on the coast, denOtInl
that a ship had foundered, but no frag
ment bore its name
Edmond Roscoe never went bnck Il
college lie had lost all ambition. nj
desire for life. II was clalmed thai
he had received some physical stroke
which impaired his mental faculties
Whether this were no or whether tho
loss OF his betr0thed and his allmen
were coincidence was never set
tied. He was often seen on the beacl
nt Newport wandering about almless
ly or sitting on one spot looking Oul
on the water. This continued TIL he
was an old man, and IN the town II
which he lived few residents OF 9th
or places began to build cottages foj
summer residences