Where Deep Seas Moan

Cartier one morning in August, as he woke his daughter with a loud

en up there's a long time, but I am putting the roses round

hen they came down to breakfast, Ellenor wore a pretty gown of dark red stuff. She explained, carelessly, that indeed she would not make herself a fright before all the countryside; and if t

earing nosegays. Rich and poor from two parishes chatted, laughed and worked hard with sickles at cutting the vraic scié from the low rocks. Very soon, the beach was dotted with heaps of sea-weed, each marked by a pebble, bearing the owner's name in chalk. The more adventurous waded across the cols or causeways to rocks at som

joy of work, followed the skilled movements of the sickle she swung to and fro, and she was entirely absorbed in gathering in the precious vraic. But, all at once, she paused. She heard, d

rn round. A scrambling sound followed; th

own voice, "what luck to

e two had met alone since his wedding day. He took her

id, "you told me you wer

and stooped

is marriage make to you and me, I'd like to know! Besides, don't pretend to be so good all of a sudden. Didn't you choose me at my wedding f

that night-mad

d her for money and for her good family? But she is like a silly baby. Her pretty face doesn't touch me. She might stare at me for ever with her eyes of blue china, and my blood would lie qui

she repli

are you up to now, pretendi

"but I've got a little bit of pride left, and I

d crushed her

all over the parishes, people say you're mad after me-so, I'

ded not t

you've wasted the time and now I must go back, my horse is already up

coming to fetch me

which had been brought down in little barrels swung to the carts. It was a merry time, and Blaisette Le Mierre was looked upon as the queen of the feast. Very few spoke to Ellenor, for she was shunned as a marked character. Only Perrin paid her

. Others, with the help of the women, spread out the sea-weed, which was stored in heaps on the beach to dry. This, later on,

enor sobbed herself to sleep, a passionate weary cre

ned. Was it the cry of a sea-gull flying into shelter from the storm which was approaching? Was it, perhaps, the spirit of some drowned fisherman haunting his

t!" he said quietly, "

eager voice, "come in

e fisherman's even voice,

all, for you never scold me and look black at me, like all the rest do. I said I wouldn't meet

r him no more, like all

are! I love him

others have seen him, too. But nobody likes to give him up to the constables, except me, and I've settled it that I'll tell what

Then Ellenor's hand stole into hi

s it you l

er hand and

even my mother. I love

rin, I am not

that has made people speak about you like they do! But, listen, Ellenor, if you was the blackest o

nto a passi

to me, too fond of his glass, cruel to the poor, mad for money, pretending to be pious of a Sunday;

cried poor Perrin, claspi

check her tears. His tender love made him wise and gentle as his

ove me, I'll be y

t take it in, as you see. And yet if it does come to pass, t

e your wife, there

can make a hundr

you'll agree to t

ll! I promise y

Promise!

t her sweet mood and at the fair

gladly to your condi

mised you'll never give up Monsi

ng time; then he said, in

g at. But though you are too clever for me, Ellenor, and caught me in a fine trap, I can make o

live to Les Casquets any longer. I'm too unhappy. Mother is always tel

Ellenor, there is one thing I must speak about. I am willing to know you don't love me; willing to know you've given your heart to another man, and him a scoundrel. But, I c

m always getting out of his way. There is left a little pride in me yet. I can'

now what each other means. And now, w

ersuading her to agree to be married on Christmas Day: and then, fearful that she wo

Perrin pointed out the gleaming of a light on Li

t the iodine. His wife is with him. She is very delicate, i

he bea

an believe anything

e to love such a man! Perrin, why didn'

Ellenor's? Was this nestling hand her

He does! I confess I don't understand half He

tly, "to care for me, of all t

e you for the Que

ven of his faithful love she felt, at least, safe from her own luri