The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-08-29
CHAPTER XIX.
rhs Bishops Chest.

we WdlIeQ nine Gays Tor the coming
of the Rufus Smith. During that time
an episode occurred IS q result of
which / sat one morning by myself on
the rocks beside the sloop, on which
such ardent hopes had been conferred.
only like the derelict itself to be
wrecked at last. It was a lonely spot
and I wanted to be alone. felt
abused, and sad. and sore. I realized
that was destined to do nothing but
harm In the world. and to hurt people
was fond of, and be misunderstood
by everyone. and to live on-if
wasn't lucky enough to meet with a
! premature and sudden end--into a
sour, lonely, grabbed old age, when I
would wish to goodness had married
anybody. and might even finish by ap-
plying to Matrimonial Agency.
As / sat nursing these melancholy
thoughts heard a footstep. did not
look up-for | knew the footstep.
should have known 1t If 1t had trodden
over my grave.
81 take 1t you are not wanting COM
way of it," said Dugald Shaw.
Still did not look up.
Nobody seemed to want me-" re-
marked sulkily, after a pause. he
made no reply. but seated himself up
on the rocks. For little there was
silence.
virginia" he said abruptly. "Pm
%Hf fhn Iad
"Oh," l burst out, that is all you
think of-the lad. the ladl How about
me? Don't you suppose 1t hurt me.
too?"
There, lassie, there, don't cryI" he
said gently. '4The boy didn't speak of
it, of course. But knew how IL must
be. It has hit him hard, am afraid. !"
81 suppose" I wept, you would
have had me marry him whether l
wanted to or not. just to keep from
hurting him?'
NO. he answered quickly. II did
not say that--I did not say that |
would have had you marry him. No.
lass, i did not say, that"
''Then why are you scolding meT'
i
"Scolding you? / was not. 1t was
only that-that love the fad-and |
wish you both so WE'LL thought per-
haps there was some mistake, and-it
would not matter about me, II ] could
see you both happy"
There is a mistake" said clearly.
1T Is a great mistake, Dugald Shaw,
that you should come to me and court
me-for some one else"
There was silence for a while, the
kind of silence when you hear your
heartbeats.
When. he spoke his voice was I'M
steady.
But the boy has everything to offer
you-his ancient name. his splendid
unstained youth. a heart that Is all
loyalty. He is strong and brave and
beautiful Virginia. why couldn't you
love himT'
II could not love him." I replied,
very low. because my love was not
mine any more TO give. II belongs to
some one else. Is his name an
cient? ] don't know. 1t is his, and
lie 61lODPS II. SuInDcFt uHS youth,
but youth is only promise. In the
man love / find fulfillment. And he
is loyal and brave and honest am
afraid he isn't beautiful, but / love
him the better for HE scars"
After that l sal quhfe still. and
knew II depended on the next halt
minute whether went all the days of
my life crowned and glorious with
happiness, or buried my shame and
heartbreak under the waters of the
cove.
And then Dugald Shaw took me III
his arms.
BY and by he said huskily:
Beloved. had no right TO ask you
to share such life as mine must be-
the life of poor sailor"
AT this | raised my head from it:
nesting place and laughed.
ASK me? Silly. | asked you! o.
course yen could have refused me, bu
/ depended on your not having thu