The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-10
lousr l really think we must hold our

Let US say 'Stupendous! then, bJ
all means," answered she, smiling
"and having said it. let us sit down."
Stop a moment" he said, as he
was about to suit the action to The
word and sit. down on u convenient
rock near by. ''TIis is such apubiit
place that is-you k"uw Mrs. Rey
Dolds and her party will be upon Us
before long. Let us explore Il liltle
as those who reached here first have
done"
She hcsitated 4 little, then consent
ed, and l!.ey moved away. AS they
skirled the pool and crossed the stream
that was hurrying down the rarine
they caught sight Of several OF thcil
companions some making very pic
turcsquc effects Us they were perched
on ovcrhanging rocks, and others
climbing, with laborious energy, up
the deep mountain side.
Eve will 90 over yonder by the cas-
cade,,' said Dcvcrcux care you tond
of tcrns ? I see some beautiful ones
growing there on the rocks"
So, over to the cascade they took
their way, and led on, partly by Dew.
ereux, partly by the ferns and part
ly, also, by her own inclination, Alice
asccndcd from point to point Of the
rocks until. at last. The tonnd herself
elevated much above her former
standpoint, but profiting very little
IN the way OF prospect. The dense
underground of the mountain shut in
the view on one side; on the other, the
whirIing rush of the falling water was
all that could be seen.
II hope this is sufficiently secluded
for your taste" said she, looking up at
Devercux, with an air of resignation.
Il am very tircd-may l sit down
now? .Thauks-yes, | would like my
ferns"
She sat down on a stone, and, lean
ing back against the massive gray
rocks, began examining the ferns and
Iichens which her companion had laid
in her lap. She had taken off her
hat and laid it beside her as a rccep-
tacle for the selected specimens. Her
rich hair caught the sunli 5ht as she
bent her head, and exercise had given
very clear and brilliant coIcr to her
check. Beautiful always, she was al
most more than beautiful now and it
was not strange that DevereuX held
his breath as he stood looking at her.
She did not notice the gaze. partly be-
Cause it was her po.icy to ignore it.,
bat kept on talking in her light,
graceful way about botany in general,
and ttrus in particular, until at last
his continued silence forced itself on
her :ltculion. She looked up, then,
With au.hiug question on her lips +;
but, despite her scIi::possession, stop
ped short. The moment that she met
them, his eyes told her that the issue
was ut hand. ...
Now i, is not to be supposed that
she needed to he told, but she had not
expected itjust then. She was Off her
guard as 1t We're, and shock is al
ways unp easaut, let is come how 1t
will She colored vividIy-fushing,
Indeed to the very roots Of her hair
then, as he was about to speak, rose
to ler feet
IL think we had better 60 back
she said, hurriedly. Il am quite rest
ed now"
But Devereux had no mind to let
his opportunity slip in this way.
There had been nothing prcmcdi,atcd
in the matter. Ihe situation had
taken him as much by surprise as 1t
had taken her; but it was upon him
now, and he meant to seize its advan-
taSes. The fever Of sudden rcsolu-
ton took possession Of him, and. As is
the case with great many quiet men.
its very novelty lent it force. lie had
not meant to speak just now but her
beauty first unllelvrd him, and then
her strange embarrassment lent him
courage. When she rose, he stepped
before her.
No, Mrs. Ingleshy," he said, "don't
90 back now. S!op-at least for Il
minute | have something to say TO
you"
lyon can say it down below" ans
wcred Alice, suddenly. uuaccountahly,
anxious to get away. pray, Mr.. Dew
eieux@ pray let us sc,"
"Ot course we will, if you desire it."
he said, but with such Il look of pain
on his face that, although he moved
aside. she stood still After ALL what
folly was this? Why should she act
so ra>hIy? Why should she not hear
him She knew, or thought she knew,
what answer she intended to give.
Why not, therefore, have it over at
once? In second these thoughts
flashed through her mind, and in u
second, also, she acted on them.
"Pardon me-" she said, louking at
him with her own gracious glance and
manner. II did not mean to be rude.
| will stay, if you wish it,"
Thank you," he answered, hastily.
Then he was silent for u moment,
looking at the spray Of the cascade. as
lit dashed by, and striving to grasp
words into which to express the feel
ing that overmaslered him. Words
did not come to him readily at ahy
time, bat now he seemed to have lost
tall command ofthem. As her embar-
rassment had given him courage, SO
her selt-possession robbed him of it.
Lie besitated so long that, at last, in
desperation, be was about to speak,
when there came the sound of crack.
ling boughs and twigs, as somebody