Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-15

They took the unfrpoucnted path on
the western side of Lungness-a long
serpcntinc tongue Of land which pro-
trudCd from the open mouth Of the sea.
He tried 10 begin upon the subject OF
his crrand but found il impossible to do
so.
by and by" he thought. "by and
by
Bessie kept step with him. but was
almost silent. He asked If she was
comfortable in her new quarters. and
she said they were lonesome after the
farm. but old Miss Brown was dear
and Miss Ethel a "doZcy duck
The common expression humiliated
him. He inquired If she had been able
to relieve her mothers anxiety. and
she answered no. how could she, with
out letting her stepfather know where
she was!
''Thcy're telling me he's travelling
don't know why. He was always dead
nuts on me when was at home
Again he felt ashamed. He found it
impossible TO keep up conversation
with the girl. To attempt to do SO was
like throwing a stone into the sand.
no echo, no response.
Only once did Bessie say anything
for herself. She was walking on the
landward side Of the path, and seeing
an old man. with pair of horses.
grubbing a hungry looking field. with Il
cloud of sea -guIls swirling behind him,
she said it was dirty land full Of scutch,
and the farmer was laying it open to
the frosts of winter.
Stowell was feeling the sweat on his
forehead. How was it possible to lift
up a girl like this? She would be rhl
farm girl to the last. Good Lord, what
magic was there in marriage to change
people and insure their happiness?
Balamoar? That lonesome place in L.
side the tall trees lie might shut ont
her family, but would not she-illiter.
ate, uninteresting. inadcquate-shuto out
his friends? And then, he and she
together there. with nothing in common.
alone. in the long nights Of winter
oh. Goa.
Ashamed of thinking like that Of the
girl, and having reached the lighthouse
by this time. he drew her arm through,
his and turned to 90 back. The warmth
of the contact revived little Of the for
mer thrill, and he laughed and talked.
The voice Of the sea was low that day.
and across the bay came shouts and
cheers in fresh young voiCes--the boys
Of King William $ were playing foot
ball. That brought memories 10 both oi
them and he began to talk about Cell
Dear old Alick, he's such good
fellow. isn't hep
Deed he is.' sntd Bessie.
"Ry the way. hos sort OF ole
fame Of yours. I believe" said Stowcll
looking sideways a. the girl. and Bessie
flushed and laughed, but made no an
swer.
Those black eyes, those full red lips
, Yes. this was the girl who =
But the Idea Of a marriage foundel
! on the passion which had brought theu
together revolted him now, and he le
Bessie's arm fall TO his side.
When they got back to the old maid
cottage he had still said nothing of wnn
! he had come to say. Later on" h
was telling himself. but secret voc
inside was whispering, Never. 1t |
impossible.
The elder OF the Miss Browns followc
/ him TO the gate to ask if he did not So
a great Improvement IN her charge. an
when he said that Bessie seemed to be
little subdued. she cried:
"Ressie: Oh dear no, not generally
Ask Mr.. Cell"
Perhaps the clrl was not well todn
they had thought she had not bee
very well lately.
and how is she getting on with
the word stuck in his throat--"w wit
her lcssons?'
"Wonderfully or course she ha
long arrears to make up, but the wa
she works to fit herself for her ne,
station Well. It's enough I
make n person cry, really
Stowell felt RS if something wei
taking him by the throat.
'In fact my sister and ! used
wonder and wonder what she did wit
she was sitting up after everybody hn
gone to sleep TO learn her grammar ar
spelling.
Stowell felt ms II something hi
struck him in the face. Every hal
y thought about Bessie seemed TO be wipe
out Of his mind in moment.
Going back to Port Erin (he walk
all the wayl he could think Of nothil
but that girl sitting up in her bcdroo
, to educate herself, in her poor lit
way, that she might become worthy
be his wife.
, II he disappointed her now VIII
!, would become of her? Would she
herself? Would the world kill he
, Kate Kinrade? The days Of the Bish
- and the woman were not over yet.
!. No, he must keep his pledge, a.
. make no more wry faces about it.
IL had been his duty befo.e it "
more than ever his duty now.
But Fenella?
lie must put her ont OF his mi
forever. lie would be the most u
V happy man alive. but then his oN
= happiness was not the only thing
=. had TO think about. He could 7
live any longer under false pretens
d lie must find some way Of telling i
. neIa that he had engaged himself VIII
: she was away--that he was pleda
e man.
o But what then? There would
e nothing more between them as long
they lived--not q smile or the els
!? Of . hand! She whom hs had lov