"I always thinks on Tregeagle on such |ister is as good a gentleman as you could a night as this," said old Richards, as if wish to see.' he were thinking of a personal friend. "That's what I said to myself as I came along," replied John, nodding towards Tamzin. 66 Tregeagle himself couldn't have kept on at his work such a night. They tells that story different in some parts, though, cap'en; let's hear how you put it." Old Richards loved to tell his stories, and was not at all loth to begin; not, indeed, the whole story, but the bit he knew best. "I've often told it Tamzin when she were young," he began, by way of prelude, "about how Tregeagle came to zaizes (as sizes), haven't I, Tamzin?" Dosmery Pool can't be emptied, that's my belief," said Richards; "and Tregeagle must have been sore tired of his job, for the Devil kept an eye on him the whole time lest he should leave off work, as then he would be in his power again. At last one night Tregeagle couldn't stand the howl of the wind and the beating of the rain across the moor, and he regular took to flight, and after him went the Devil and all his crew, and very nearly they caught him too, but he see'd Roach Rock with the chapel on it afore him, and he rushed up to it and dashed his head right through the east window, and that saved him." "Well, let's hear it now, cap'en," said "It's an awful story," said Mrs. RichJohn encouragingly, for whilst the old ards, shuddering, for although Tregeagle man talked he could smoke his pipe and was a creature of almost mythical ages it stare unreproved at Tamzin. made no difference to the two story-tell"There was no doubt at all that Tre-ers, nor indeed to the audience. The geagle was a doomed man afore his death; every one agrees as to his awful wickedness, and that he regularly sold his soul to the Devil." "Ay, ay," assented John, and Mrs. Richards shook her head sadly, as if she mourned still over Tregeagle's evil deeds. "Well, at the zaizes, long after he was dead, there was a knotty point about some deeds. I don't rightly understand that part of the business, but the judge was just about to give a wrong judgment, when the man that it was going agen cried, 'Hold, my lord, I have another witness!' and then up the steps of the box folks heard a sort of a rattling noise, as if bones were being all jumbled up loose like, and up stepped Tregeagle himself. They couldn't get him to kiss the book, but he swore on the Devil quick enough, and the judge took that evidence and settled the matter. It were all along of Tregeagle's evil deeds when he were alive it come about, so who better could settle it?" "Why, no one, of course," said John. "That's what I say; but then came the question how was they to get him to go away again, for he stuck in the witnessbox and would not budge. The judge was no good, and it took a sight of ministers to move him.' "It was the ministers as set him to work after that," said John, “on emptying Dosmery Pool with a broken limpet shell, and it seems to me they must have taken a leaf out o' some one else's book." women felt that, for all they knew to the contrary, these terrible blasts of wind were the disappointed howls of Tregeagle as he wove ropes of sand on the lonely shore, and Tamzin drew closer to the fire as she heard again the old story which had caused her the few fears she had ever experienced. "You are very brave, John Kernick," said the girl when he paused; "it isn't many that would have walked from Port Isaac on such a night as this," and she sighed, thinking of something she would not say. "There's many a one would do it if he was to see your face at t'other end, Tamzin," said John, with a broad smile. "I wager you could tell me of another as would do as much." John was well acquainted with the quar ryman's devotion to Tamzin, a devotion which had grown up with him, and which even the neighbors spoke of as a thing every one knew. For this very reason, perhaps, Tamzin turned a deaf ear to Pascho's words. She never said him really nay, but always put him off with the plea that she was too young to marry or to know her own mind. Tamzin's parents let her please herself: indeed, she would have done so even if they had interfered, and, like wise people, they made a virtue of necessity. 66 My girl has got to live with a husband all her life, just as me and Thomas have lived, so it's no but fair she should choose "For shame!" said Tamsin; "it all him for herself; not but that we like Pascomes of your being a Methody, John, or cho best, a kind o' mild man that will you would not say such things. Our min-never get into trouble with the minister, and has plenty o' speerit when it's wanted, but is not always a-showing it off in fair weather." Tamzin was a very reserved maiden, and no one could make out what she really thought about the matter, but the neighbors said she ought to take Pascho, he that had worked and waited for her from his birth up. They even told Pascho so; but with a smile he would shake his head and say, "Tamzin ain't like other girls: she's a deal of spirit and a big heart; but she must choose her own mate. She ought to know as I am ready to work and wait for her till she gives the word; but I'm not the man to make her take me and then repent herself afterwards." If only Pascho hadn't had that meek, patient, waiting spirit, and had told Tamzin she must choose once for all, what might he not have gained? But no, the big, burly, soft-hearted quarryman was not one to win a woman by storm; and sometimes women do not understand patience. Supper soon followed the story of Tregeagle's labors, and every one forgot him in the business of eating, except when now and then a blast more furious than usual howled round the caves. "God save them at sea!" said old Richards reverently. "There's plenty of our men that choose this sort o' night for their own bit o' trade, and sometimes we never hear of them again. There's Carlyon now has taken a run to Bristol; it's to be hoped he ain't a-making his way back to-night." "There's more chance of his landing his merchandise if he is," said John meditatively, "for those spying government fellows won't like putting their noses out o' doors much to-night. I passed one when I come along as could barely keep his flesh from blowing off his bones; and what with his great hat and his bit of a light, he looked like the lady with her lantern as they see round St. Ives Bay." At this moment there was a knock at the door, and Tamzin and her mother started. John laughed out loud. "I'll go, missus, and open the door; that is, if Tamzin will come and show me a light." Tamzin was by no means loth, and the two went into the front room and undid the bolts. It was only a neighbor, who wanted a pennyworth of peppermint. Tamzin gave the required drops, and the customer departing, she found John did not mean her to return to the fireside at once. "Look here, Tamzin," he said, taking her hand, "what do you think I came all the way from Port Gavorne for to-night? "I don't know," said Tamzin, blushing. John laughed. "Bless my soul, Tamzin, I declare women are that queer there's no keeping up with them. Don't you know I came to get your promise? I'll just marry you off in the spring, and get a cottage down at Port Isaac, and you'll be the prettiest sailor's wife for miles round. You've just got to say yes, and the thing's done." 66 Oh, but, John, I can't say yes," said Tamzin, half smiling. "It will break Pascho's heart-him as has known me ever since we was children." "Break his heart! Why, Tamzin, Pascho Fuge's heart ain't made of chaney. He that wins wears, and he's had an oncommon long time to win you, and seems but a poor hand at it." There flashed into Tamzin's mind the many acts of devotion shown to her by Pascho; his unfailing kindness, his earnest love, his gentle heart. Once he had sat up for many nights to nurse her father, though all the time he had to work hard by day. Truly he had wooed his love; it was only her vanity that had prevented his winning before John had come on the scene, and the greater boldness of the sailor had made her forget Pascho's unwearying devotion. All this time John Kernick had hold of Tamzin's hand, and was gradually bringing it into close proximity with his lips. Tamzin remembered that Pascho had tried to do the same, and she had drawn away her hand; but now it was passive, nay powerless, in John's grasp. "It's the sweetest of hands, Tamzin, but none so sweet as your lips," and he made a successful raid in that direction. "Don't! " said Tamzin, ready to cry because she felt so powerless, and because something told her she was going to yield and say yes. "Indeed, John, I can't make up my mind. There's a deal I owe to Pascho, and he loves me so much." "And don't I, too, Tamzin?" "Yes, but perhaps you'd get tired of me. Tell me, John, am I the first girl as you've loved?” "I never loved none like you, Tamzin." "But you've loved others, and Pascho "Have done with Pascho," said John angrily. "Look here, Tamzin, as I told scared. John Kernick was not one of your quiet men at all. "Dear me ! Why, I thought you was a-seeing about the shop, Tamzin. But there, one can never tell what girls may be a-doing. One thinks them busy over the counter, and they comes in plighted! Mrs. Richards talked somewhat at random, being so taken by surprise. you afore, it ain't every man as would have taken such a walk just to see a girl; but I've done it, and I'll do it again and again just to catch a sight o' your face. But it's going to be yes or no be tween you and me to-night. Come, my beauty, say 'yes,' and we'll be married as soon as ever the spring comes round, and then The very thought made John put one arm round Tamzin's waist, while with the other he raised her head so that he could look into her face. There was such power, such passion in the touch, that Tamzin was cowed, almost frightened. What might he not do if she said Well, I must be starting back,” said no? Oh, he loved her, and she loved John, not listening much to the old folks. him—at least she was proud to be loved" I can't tell when I shall come again exby him; a man whom all the girls set their caps at; the master of a vessel; a rich man, as men went about there. How could she hesitate? "Come, Tamzin," he said, tightening his grasp, whilst he drew her closer to him, "say yes, and let's seal it with a kiss. It'll be the best night's work I've ever done." "John, do leave me! I can't." "Bless my soul! a woman's yes is hard to win. I'd rather run a boat-load of spirits ashore in the teeth of them government chaps; it ain't half such a tough business. Tamzin, here's your last chance - yes or no? If it's no, I won't answer for the consequences." These terrible consequences held over Tamzin frightened her. She knew she had encouraged John, and if she said him nay she might never see him again; or he might be reckless and fling himself over the cliff on his way home, and she would have his death on her conscience. Oh, John, don't say that, please." "Then it's yes?" "Yes," murmured Tamzin faintly; and the word was followed by one of those kisses which frighten more than they please women like Tamzin. It meant such possession, such a lording it over other folks, and all her life the girl had prided herself on her independent spirit. There was a little sob as she disengaged berself from her lover's embrace, hearing sundry impatient calls from the other room; but in her mind floated the thought, "What will Pascho say? Poor Pascho!" "Tamzin and me have agreed on it," said John, taking her hand as he proudly entered the sitting-room. "You've no objection, I hope, Cap'en Richards. John Kernick's wife will have as nice a house and as fine a dress as any in Port Isaac." Mrs. Richards looked up surprised and "I give thee joy of it," said Tamzin's father. "I allus thought as it would be Pascho; but there's no telling what a woman will do. The last one gets the best chance, like in a donkey-race." actly. There's the minister's slate to be shipped here next week. But we must wait for fine weather and a good tide for that job; about next Tuesday maybe it will suit. I shall see thee then. It's a ticklish bit of work running a vessel into Trevenna Port. I often say I'd as lief run my craft twice into any other port along coast as once into Trevenna. Well, good-night, cap'en. You'll come and see me out, Tamzin." Once more at the door, John thought it his duty to steal another of those kisses he knew but too well how to give, and Tamzin, frightened and subdued, ran away to bed to think out the terrible new fact that she had promised herself to John Kernick and that Pascho would hear of it on the morrow. CHAPTER III. THREE days passed, and Tamzin had not seen_either of her lovers. John was busy at Port Isaac, and Pascho was not likely to seek her out since the news had spread in the village that Tamzin Richards had at last made up her mind, and that John Kernick was the successful man. What made it harder for Pascho to bear was that the neighbors put a tone of gentle pity into their conversation, trying so to sugar the bitter pill, but not suc ceeding very well. "There's as good fish, Pascho, in the sea as ever came out of it," said one. "I tell you plainly, my son, I would have wagered my silver watch as it would have been you; and so it would have been, if that there smart John Kernick hadn't stepped in." "Tamzin's but a flighty maid," said another, trying to depreciate the prize; but none of these speeches comforted the quarryman as he trudged off to his work. has grown and grown every year a bit bigger for love of you." 66 His great big heart felt bursting. He knew that in spite of himself he had always hoped to win her, the Tamzin he had "Oh, Pascho, don't talk like that," said loved so long; and when he remembered Tamzin miserably. "I couldn't help it." her many kind words to him he felt that Well, we won't talk of it then, Tamhis hopes had not been altogether without zin; but you just understand that I wishes foundation. It was so hard, so very, very you all the joy a woman can have with a hard, suddenly to resign all his love to true man, and that's a deep kind o' joy – know he should never look into her beau- as deep as one of our quarries, as far as tiful eyes and call them his own, never I'm a judge. Just to prove it to you, my touch that hand and say he would be faith- dear, I'll do my best not to envy John ful till death parted them. Kernick. His vessel is coming to our quarry on Tuesday night if its fine weather; but he'll take up his full load round Trevenna Port. I'm going in his boat round the point and into Trevenna, for the master says there's not a better hand at loading than myself on the works." Then he remembered the vision of the dead hand. Ah! that had brought him ill luck. Men said it was the hand of a miner who had committed suicide, and for a moment there came a temptation from the Devil to follow this example, but Pascho shook his big shoulders as if to cast out the thought, and said to himself, "I'll be a man, anyhow, and bear it like a man. After all, if Tamzin can be happier with him it's best as it is." Tamzin was seized with a nervous dread. Suppose the two men should come to words, suppose they should fight about her: she would never forgive herself if kind, gentle Pascho was hurt all along of her. John Kernick was such a On the Sunday, however, he met Tam-hasty-tempered man and not to be crossed, zin at church. His seat there was just as she knew. Even now Tamzin felt her behind hers, and the girl never heard a power over the man who had been faithful word of the service from the time she was to her so long. aware of his presence. Coming out he joined her as usual, and Tamzin felt thankful that John was safe at Port Isaac. Tamzin's heart had been very heavy since that Wednesday night, but she was too proud to show it. 'Won't you wish me joy, Pascho?" she said in a low voice-she wanted to get Pascho's reproaches over. "Ay, that I do, Tamzin; you're not go ing to doubt that? I'd rather you was happy than myself. But I'll not deny that it's a sore trial." "I never promised you nothing, Pascho.” Pascho, Pascho," she said, "promise me one thing; promise me that you'll have no words about me with John." Pascho laughed, a bitter laugh for such a gentle man. "You needn't fret yourself about that, Tamzin. John's yours now, and I shan't lay a finger on him, you can guess that without my promise." And with this Tamzin had to be content, only when she parted from the quarryman she went and shut herself up in her room and sobbed bitterly. "Oh, Pascho, poor Pascho! if you would but forget me; but I know you won't." On the Tuesday the weather was calm enough, and the slate-loading was accomplished from the quarry overhanging the sea without any very great difficulty. Pascho Fuge worked with a will, but every now and then he and the other men who were helping John Kernick on the vessel glanced at the sky and pointed out to each other certain strong indications of "There's none that blames you, Tam-rough weather, saying there was mischief zin, least of all myself. I know I'm not worthy of you. You're not like the common run o' women, whilst there's nothing but what's very ordinary about me; but all the same I would have loved you with no common love, Tamzin. There, I shouldn't speak so, I know; but a man can't change his heart, and mine brewing. John saw them too, but he would not heed them; he was bent on putting into Trevenna Port and seeing Tamzin as he had promised. "The weather will hold out till to-morrow, and we can run her in before twelve o'clock to-night and load her," he said confidently. "We'll sail her round the point as soon as this job's over. There's grog waiting for you up Trevenna, boys, so work away." John did not know that Pascho was to be the man to accompany him; he had bargained for a quarryman to help him load, and when the work was nearly done, he was by no means pleased to find the big Cornishman coming on board his vessel. "Are you the chap that's going to help us, Pascho Fuge?" he said sulkily. "Yes, cap'en; the master sent me," was the straightforward answer, which there was no gainsaying. night," said Sally Rogers when she stepped in. She was quite a young woman and a friend of Tamzin's. The "her" was John Kernick's boat, and of course the widow took a special interest in Tamzin's "young man," having quite veered off from poor Pascho. "John's very fearless," answered Tamzin, looking out anxiously at the driving clouds which swept rapidly across the moon. "If any man can save his vessel he'll do it - but there's Pascho on board with him." "And what of that do you expect broken heads, Tamzin? Faith! a man soon gets over a girl's leaving him; he'll expect better luck elsewhere.". But Tam "You're not much of a hand with a vessel, I reckon," said John contemptuously; "it wants a deal of pluck and sharp-zin knew Pascho too well to expect him to get over it as easily as that. ness. "I've been a quarryman most all my life, still I'm not quite ignorant about a boat," returned Pascho. "It wants a good head in our quarry, and a good head in one place is a good head in another." "There's a nasty breeze getting up," said John crossly; "we'd better get her from well out among these rocks and lie to till it's time to run her into port. Heave ho, boys!" It is wonderful in how short a time a storm rises on that coast. It takes but little wind to lash those seldom peaceful waves into fury as they dash against the rocks. Tamzin could not stay quietly indoors this evening as the wind rose softly at first, then getting higher and higher till, as on the evening of her engagement, it howled like demons let loose. John's boat was to come in with the tide, and Pascho was in her. How would they weather the storm, and would Pascho keep his promise? "I'll not go to bed till I've news of them," said Tamzin decidedly to her parents. "It's going to be an awful night, and how will they get into any harbor? It were late afore they put off from West Delabole." To which Mrs. Richards answered, "Come, shut to the door," said Widow Rogers, "and let's sit over the fire and chat." But though Tamzin shut the door and came into the inner room with her friend, raking up the embers and setting a chair for her, she herself could not sit still, but walked slowly along the length of the two rooms in a fever of expectation. "You don't think harm will come to them, Sally?" she asked, though Sally of course could know no better than herself. "Harm! what harm can come to them? They'll keep off the rocks and run into Padstow Port right enough, never fear." "But I've heard John say how hard it is to keep off Trevenna rocks when the wind is dead agen you." "How you do go on about your John, Tamzin! I never was so mindful of my poor Jacob, that's gone, afore I married him, and to tell the truth, I got to love him a deal better after we was married." "That's not like me," said Tamzin quickly, standing up in all her height and beauty, whilst her cheeks flushed suddenly; "if I didn't feel all the love afore, I should just get to hate and fear a man afterwards. A woman's but a poor slave at best; it wants a deal of love to balance the trouble." "It's just woman's lot to slave for the men, and it ain't so bad, Tamzin, when one gets used to it; it's better than being pointed at as a girl unmated." Tamzin shrugged her shoulders. Such weak sentiment met with no response in her breast; love might master her, but not this folly. Suddenly borne along by the wind there came a distant noise, as if from the Port. "Lord 'a' mercy!” cried Sally, "what's |