Page 28 (1/2)

Had Valmai been better acquainted with the coast, she would not have

dared to cross the bridge in the face of the stor in violence The tide was down, and the rocks were

bare, and the high wind helped to hurry her over the pools and craggy

points Gathering her red cloak tightly around her she made her way

safely over to the island, which was a frequent resort of hers, as here

she found the warm love and welcome for which her heart craved, and

which was so sorelyin her uncle's house

Ast the sandy dunes and tussocks were scattered a few lonely

cottages, in one of which Nance lived her uneventful life; its

smoke-browned thatch looked little different frorass which surrounded it, for tufts of grass and oat was frequently to be seen browsing on the

house-top At the open door stood Nance herself, looking out at the

stor a difficult

progress through the soft uneven sand, and a look of surprise and

pleasure came over her face

"Oh, dear heart, is it you, indeed, come to see old Nance, and on such

a day? Come in, sweetheart, out of the storm"

"The storm indeed," said Valmai, in Welsh as pure as Nance's own, as

the old woe and closed the door "Why,

you know nothing about it on this side of the island, nothing of what

it is in the village The boats have all been drawn up close to the