The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-26

Then they were at the beach. and
the center Of q joyous activity. Gibbs
was settled, with the plaid, on warm
curve of rocks, where he pulled his cap
over his eyes and watched them all
placidly. Lizzie found another natural
chair, where she sank down with her
baby, gazing with dreamy content at
the glittering water, stepped in the
peace that the tugging, busy little lips
at her breast seemed to enhance rather
than interrupt. Then little Ellen was
settled on the pillows under the UNI
brella. and Lizzie gayly Joined the
workers. A hundred times, on this
memorable happy day, Ellen found her
self watching Lizzie's little white fig
ure. her happy, youthful face. Lizzie
was just twenty: what might have
been her destiny at twenty7
The tireless. sweet green water rose
and fell each wave formed an emerald
arch of itself before 1t broke with
long. splitting crash, TO rush In, level
and incredibly swift. flinging upward
against impeding rocks, and curving
over the white sand. Gibbs watched Ii
delicious lull of body and soul. So
much Of it-such. splendidly wasted
beauty and energy. year after year.
How pitiful was even the fullest, even
the longest human life, against this
glorious miracle that went on year
after year throughout the centuries.
that had been as old as the world when
Padre Junipera Sierra walked along
these shores.
Joe clattered near him on the rocks
He tilted the cap over his eyes trifie
and glanced at the absorbed group by
the fire.
Manage to speak TO me alone
minute, sometime. will you. Joef"
Gibbs said
Joe, not moving his eyes from the
defiant crab that had wedged his little
body tightly In crevice Of rock.
cleared his throat
"Surei' he answered gruffly.
Ellen also had her word alone with
Joe. 1t was after luncheon. when LIZ
zie had curled up like child on a
patch of warm sand, and fallen asleep.
and Gibbs was apparently doing.
Tommy was wading along the bubbling
line of foam, and the baby slept on.
You knew Harriet and George were
here last summer. Joe?" Ellen ven
tured. do you ever see Harriet now?"
no" he answered, indifferently.
"She's queer sort of girl. What's
she dning-collecting platesT
"She has a remarkable china collec-
tion.' Ellen admitted.
China collection What's that for
woman to dor Joe stretched COM
fortably In the sun. "Oh, WE'LL" he
said leniently, that's all right, II she
likes it. Harriets nice enough. but
sizes spoiled by too much money"
yet you liked her very much once,
joe" Ellen suggested, from the depth |
of deep amusement and satisfaction.
oh. yes-kid Lowell / never really |
loved any one but Lizzie" said Joe. |
Ellen saw that he really believed II, |
and with great sigh Of thankfulness
she laid one of lifes ghosts to rest for
ever I'D like to go down to Los An
tonlos some day." Joe unused, "and |
see what sort Of opening there might |
be-well, for instance, in starting a pa
per there. ! haven't said anything to
Lizzie. but l talked TO Gibbs about 1t.
I'd like to live here. and have a little
and bunch of kids, and r
think Lizzie'd go crazy I'm seriously |
about 1t. could have little !,
jitney and go back and forth"
You could have slice of Already"
Ellen promised eagerly; we've twenty
acres here. and there are dozens OF
70
well see." Joe yawned again.
at the sun. by the way,
Ellen" he added, more animatedly.
riedr
"Just that, through George. Have
you heard anything more? 1t was Lind
say Pepper. Of courseT
III was Lindsay Pepper. But the
strange thing, young George Lathrop
told me, was that she didn't really
want to do IT, She and the old lady
don't hit II or at all well, and all his
money comes from his mother. Be
<iutB tnut. WOut0 IdlDcI udfc
been q rich widow, you know-at all
events, she did deliberately try to get
,ut Of It,"
But. Joe. | don't see why she
"Dh. he had tremendous hold on
1er. You see his name was mixed up
With hers In the whole business II
tie didn't care for him, she never
Ihouid have been away from home the
light of the sccI5enti l suppose he
imply forced her hand. Funny thing {.
Ioe added. reminiscently- when
irst met her me had all the cards:
,sauty. youth, a rich mans wife. Now
le's married to a man four years
Younger than herself. who isn't exactly
teetotaIer. you know, and whom she
that's coming to her.
Peer Lillisnl" Ellen said thought