The mountain Democrat., 1865-10-14
"A pretty sea.nymph,' be said, care

tends the lighthouse lamp in the absence
Of mine host,. and, believe, has saved
vessels from wreck. You have not told
me the gossip from town, Guy
~ ~, ); sSat Aark 6gure passed the pop
lar. with q snatch Of clear, ringing song
on her lips. She cast one glance at the
window and the faces watching her there
from, with about as much concern as il
thev had been two shadows; and then,
nothing was left in the dull grey prospect
on which Guy Rodney looked, but beach
and sky and sea.
Shall tell you how fair and gentle and
gracious Belle Thornton was that night !
How the blue eyes lured. even while the
clear eyes repelled how, underlying all
her indifference and coquetry there was
something which made Rodney's heart
throb-as the lily cheek flushed to his
gaze-aS the jewelled white fingers touch
ed his own-as he sat at her feet in the
warm light, holding those crimson worst
ed knots for her winding. and taneing
his heart deeper and deeper with their
meshes, even while gossipping of lie beau
monde with the careless easy grace that
characterized this gay, handsome man Of
the world
Combing out her golden hair before the
mirror. when the evening had reached its
close, Miss Thornton gazing at her own
peerless reflection therein. smiled quietly
to herself.
1T la so hard to choose The Van
Dorn'S are wenlthier, of course, but the
Rodneys are Of better blood, and Guy is
certainly very good match. must
dream Of it,
Meanwhile the said Guy, pacing back
and forth in the little porch beneath her
window, smoked his cigar, thought what
a peerless 6irt Miss Thornton was, and
whiStled TravatOre.' and watched pale,
watery moon as it peered out through o
rift Of clouds, and cast wake of ghOStly
yellow light along the sea. A little figure
fitted like a shadow past the half open
door.
Goodnight, Miss Dudley be said qui'
etly.
Good night the young voice answered
him, as clear as bell.
we shall see Tomorrow, Mr.. Rodney
muttered, as he flung away his cigar, and
betook himself to bis own especial quar-
terS.
Miss Thornton bowed a radiant good
morning to him across the breakfast ia
BILE. Armed cap.a.pie for conquest, she
was, in an exquisite pale blue wrapper
NH Nei,D hol In n
water.lily entwincd In her sunny hair.
"A lovely morning, remarked Mr.. Rod
ney.
Very
My yacht came up the harbor half ar
hour ago.
'AhT slipping her coffee daintily.
You are fond Of sailngy'
Sometimes. with great Indifference.
Then We will 60 across the bay this
morning
Such sublime assurance needed a re.
buke. 1t came.
i am sorry but am engaged to ride
with Philip Van Dorm, answered Miss
Thornton.
One quick glance was flashed upon her
from pair of very grave blue eyes. -
Then Miss Thornton. enjoying to excess
this little game Of hearts, found that her
lover had plunged into an animated con.
versation with old John Dudley, despite
the latter'S visible ave Of white hands
and seal rings, and was talking of the
coast, and the fishing vessels, and the
lighthouse in a way that made the old
mans hale and hearty face beam with
honest delight. He was angry Of course.
That was right and proper enough. Van
ity dotes on that kind of food. She nod
ded to him. as she went away to dress for
her ride with Philip Van Dom, quite as
well satisfied with the victims on the dear
little hook and line as ever fair angler
could be.
Van Dorm drove the fastest tandem at
Long Beach. He was likewise stylish,
good natured fellow, doting on his Ara
bian horses and Miss Thornton. She
came forth like bewildering vision to
meet him, knowing that from some neigh
boring ambush Guy Rodney's jealous
eyes were watching her, but for once,
Miss Thornton was mistaken. Mr.. Rod
ney at that moment Law snugly ensconced
on shelving ledge of the shore, summing
himself like crab, and watching listleSS-
" the wrcathS of blue smoke curl up
from his cigar, and the white sails on the
far horizon coming and going like the
things of dream.
Farther down the beach, some fisher
mems children were playing in toe sand
and sea.weed. The waves rose aud fell al
the base of the ledge, with soft, signing
sound. The sunshine fell warm and gold
en- upon the sea. lie was not thinking of
Miss Thornton, or her pretty cOquetrieS
ftasting his artist eyes on the
white clouds, and purple haze, and vague
lights and shadows.
Presently a soft foot fall echoed on the
steps, leading down to the
waters edge. He looked up and saw
Jessie Dudley just descending, with a
satchel Of books on her arm, her gray
boating dress looped up above the slender
little boots and her sunbnnnet swinging in
her hand Rodney started up.
You are early abroad, Miss Dudley, he
said. carelesSly.
Il am going across the bay she an
swered, coloring slightly, under his steady
look.
TO row?'
To rec;e my lessons
'AhT holding cut his hand to help her
across the rocks.
She IGNORED the hand
Il can unmoor the boat-do not trouble
YOURSELF
But he was before her.
MAY ask what you are studying"
lifting the heavy satchel from her arm.
French. Italian carelessly. 4 recite
with DR.. Walton's pupils, at Harbor
Point
'Whew!' whistlcd Rodney softly.
Good morning she said with refresh
ing indifference, lifting her oars.
He raised his cap, and stood on the