Year: 1861

but It must lull soon, and we can hurry over
to the house between the drops


No lull came, however. Thick darkness
settled down upon the bay. The wind roared
louder and louder, and the waves broke in
long lines Of sheeted foam upon the weather
side OF the promontory.


Lois began to be frightened, and Mark
tried bis best to allay her fears, though he
himself foresaw tempest. Meanwhile every
moment served to augment the fury OF wind
and ruin. 1t was the equinoctial storm, and
one of extraordinary violence.


My poor mother will be frightened to
death, said the young girl. Il only wish
she knew was safe. I did not tell her
where | was going when left the house this
afternoon. and che will surely think am
drowned


1T would 10 very dangeroust to try the walk
in this weather, Lois. The path Is none of
the safest by daylight, through these old
quarries, and now one might easily got few
broken bones In the attempt


But what can we do? This storm will
not abate before morning.


u am in hopes there will be o temporary
lull soon.'


No signs Of calm could be seen though
from the window. A long winrow OF phos-
phorescent light, ever shattered and ever re-
newed rs the waves broke upon the Point,
was oil that was visible, while the constantly
increasing noise OF the gale and surf showed
that worse weather was yet to come.


At nine o'clock, meteorological affairs be-
Ing no better, Lois decided that she would
make an attempt, at all events. to gain her
home, and quiet the alarm she knew her
mother must feel.


Stoutly wrapped up in Marks oil-cloth
coat, with a handkerchief tied over her hat
and under her chin, she set out boldly in the
driving rain and wind, accompanied by the
hermit, who, for tho first time since for
swearing the world, found a pair OF soft
white hands clnging closely to his arm, and
girlish form nesting timidly to his side.


The tremendous gust sweeping in from the
sea, thick with spray, nearly took them from
their feet, and the sharp rain blinded them
so, that they could hardly tell which way
they were going. Indeed, the only manner
in which they could advance with any surety
was by Marks going ahead with q lantern,
which he had thought to bring with them,
exploring the path for q few feet, and then
returning to his charge. Even this slow and
dangerous progress however, was soon alb
ruptly terminated.


During the quarrying days Of the Point a
portion of the promOntory had been blasted
away, its whole width, below the high-water
mark, 10 that at full tidc the waves flowed
freely through the inlet thus formed cutting
OF the communication between the kiln and
the main shore. This inlet had Of late, been
filed with sand and earth washed into 1t,
and was as solid canse-way rs could be
desired, with grass, weeds and even small
shrubs growing upon it.


The terrific violence of the wind, and the
softeRing influence of the rain, had now
loosencd, crumblcd and finally washed away
every vestige of this filling up,leaving wide
torrent raging and foaming between its jag
ged shores, and leaving tho unhappy travel
lers isolated upon the rocky island.


My God = shouted Mark, trying to make
his voice audible above the tunult of the
storm, I'VE are cut OF! The bank is washed
away, and the tide is still rising


The lanterns light showed Lois to be very
pale, as she turned her face imploringly up
towards him. Her words were borne far
away as soon as they were uttered, but her
expression and gesture sald, what is to be
done? plainly enough.


Back again! shouted tho young man,
pointing towards the kiln; ut is no use to
stay here. The inlet is ten feet deep, and
swift as Niagara


She cluug to him now in terror, and went
submissively back 10 the hermitage, whence
aeherry-red fire light glowed out upon the
darkness and gloom.


Thank heaven, we are ut last out of per-
H. said he rs he closed the door and glanced
around the dry and cosy apartment.


Yes, what terrible night'-she unused
moment but it can't be helpcd-it is very
awkward though, ,-vexatiou isn't it?'


Both laughed little.


Never mind, Lois, said Mark, We can
have a pleasant time, anyhow. We will
read and sing and draw. l will get up a
late supper-just trle you know by and
bye-and we shall be famously merry All
I'm sorry for is that your mother will be 80
alarmed


After the first embarrassment wore OF, the
programme he had laid down went on quite
prosperously. He read aloud TO her from
her iayOrite books. He mendcd the strings
of an old mandolin that ornamented the
wall, and then sang all sorts of pleasant
songs. They sketched each Others portraits,
and Mark made a dingy lndy.ink drawing
OF their supposed appearance when they dis
covered the inlet.


Thus the time passed pleasantly on until
after midnight, when they began to feel hum
cry, and the hermit-a strange sort OF her
nit now-brought his culinary knowledge
into play once more.


The supper and coffee finished, they sat
down on each side Of the fireplace as quiet
and domestically us two old married people.
Mark whitfield thoughtfully away at his frag.
rant cherry-stemmed chibouquc and Lois,
seated in his arm chair, gazed meditatively
ut some prophetic picture in the Goals.


i say, begun Mark, suddenly, but look
ing up, he discontinued his observation.
Lois had fallen into profound sluuber, 20
he preferred to look ut her without awaken
ing her. :,


The itful red light Of the fre played
across her face, bringing out her high.bred
features in rich relief Of shine and shade.
Her blue yeined lids, with their long black
lashes concealed her eyes, but gave an er-
preston of holy calm that atoned for their
want OF vivacity. Her wealth Of shadowy
hair, somewhat dsheyelled by the nights adj
venture, swept down in wavy masses irom
her shoulders. She sat, her head bowed q
little forward her rosy lips parted in slum-
Der. her fair hands listlessly folded on her
lap-a picture ct to make q hermit Of q lov.
er, or q lover of a hermit. Long and earn.
estly did Mark study this vision Of repose and
beauty. What his thoughts may have been
] cannot guess Of course, but rs ho gently
knocked the ashes from his pipe. he heaved
deep sigh, and broken sentence, only
half audible, came ~ his lips.


Yes, I'm tired Of this eternal retrospec-
Ntnn--fhora -. L.as sh.,x shts