The mountain Democrat., 1865-10-14

sno oy Suooen swell, was preclpItated
into its bow with more haste than grace.
He gathered himself up to find this dark
eyed naiad Of Long Beach pushing swiftly
off from the shore, the red lips dropping
ominously, and mischietous brightness
in the brown eyes.
ALLOW me to take the oars said Rod.
ney, looking at the slender little hands,
dark bot cOnely as n oussN's gSsySsi
gone half the distance already in profound
silence.
'Youi'
He -sinced under the emphasis
oh, Dot assure you
The slender blades splashed the water
carelessly against the Gory's side. Some.
what startling came her interruption.
You are Guy Rodney, supposer ?
That is my name,' answered Mr.. Rod.
ney, staggered, but with the sublime self
possession that rarely forsook him; !
may add that you have the advantage Of
me-
i heard Of your proposed visit. coolly.
Then you know the Dudeysi'
Some what
Perhaps you can tell me If there Is a
Miss Thornton from New York boarding
with them at the present time
There was an hour ago. You are
crushing my cardinal flowers
i beg your pardon, he said, flushing
little in spite Of himself under the saucy
eyes. 'You--you are-i'
IL am the lighthouse. keeper in Mr..
Dudlev's absence with a light laugh {;
by name, Jessie Dudley--see, yonder is
the point
His bright, admiring gaze turned from
that dark. glowing face across the tossing
water, to the headland light, already Shi
ming on the rocky point. Farther up the
beach, but where the salt spray dashed its
windows in every autumn storm, with
one tall poplar standing at the door, Rod
ney saw the low stone house which was
his destination.
At fight of rough steps leading up
from the waters edge, Miss Jessie drew
up the green and white dory, and motion
ed for her companion to step out.
4 am greatly obliged to you be be-
gan.
one nOuueu careleSSly.
That is the house just up the beach
you will find Miss Thornton there
And you?'
I am going to moor my dory.'
! Let me help you
/ BY no means.
He turned once to look back at her, as
he mounted the rough steps. She stood
in the bow OF the boat the water drip
ping like a thousand crystals, from the
slender oar blades, the beautiful face all
aglow, the dark curls streaming behind
her 10 the wind
'Jove what girl !! muttered Guy Rod
ney, stroking his moustache, a daughter
Of the house. ! take it,
Who had noted his approach from hon
est John Dudley's little parlor? Those
who knew Belle Thornton best would
have told you she was remarkably undem-
OnStrat've. 1t was quiet room, looking
out on the sea and the lighthouse, with a
cheerful fire burning the damp awav on
the hearth, and the grey shadows huddlcd
together in its corners. Just opposite the
branches Of coral and the quaint shells,
and miniature full rieged ship. which
decorated the low mantle, Belle Thornt n
sat in a rocking chair, with some knots of
bright cOlored wOrStedS in her lap, and
her head on her hand--the prettiest hand
possible, envied by all her female acquain
tanccs; and she knew thrust her for
that
Oh, the soft pink flush that leaped up
to ho. l;l,, h. - h
Some women are born coquettes; others
are made so from force of circumstances.
Miss Thornton belonged to the former
class.
'Mr Rodney what surprise when
did you leave New York ?
And Mr.. Rodney took the white hand
before mentioned, and looking down into
the vrIvety eyes, assured Miss Thornton
that Gotham had now no charms for him;
and that his indefinite sojourn at Long
Beach was the most likely in the world to
accrue from the then existing state Of
things. He was charmed with the place
already, and the sea air was brneticial to
invalids, ard really Mr.. Rodney was ap-
prehensivc Of failing health.
Indeed ! said Miss Thornton, begin
ming to crochet, with the freight flashing
on her diamond bracelets.
Yes, was the very demure answer,
my unfavorable symptoms just made
their appearance on your departure. Be-
lIeving in remedy for every i'll, have
come in search of one for mine
The golden hair was pushed hack. with
little gesture, behind the rose tipped
ears.
'Yon will find Long Beach quite & re.
sort. The ChanningS are here, and the
Huwards- likewise the Van Dorns-t that
superb Philip Van Dorm, just from Eu-
rope
'Ah, indeed!'
Philip Van Dorm an old admirer, of
course. The Jackanapes! What was he
doing there? | have noticed that under
some circumstances men are no more fond
nf hearing the praises Of each other sound
ed. than are the weaker Sex.
1t was strange that at that moment Mr..
Guy Rodney should have overlooked the
fixed fact Of his own wealth, and his own
Importance, in thus entering Loves lists,
for Syrens like Belle Thornton rarely or
never forget such items, even though they
have velvety blue eyes and rich golden
hair.
lie stood by the window, looking very
cloomily down the grey rocks when the
little hand fell soft and pleading on his
arm.
You have not come nlI this way to
quarrel with me?' archly.
'Quarrell with you! passionately--
Belle, If you would only listen to mel
Her face grew cold and distant in mo-
ment.
Look at those gulls. 1t is going to
storm
1T isl dryly.