Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-07-02

PJg'' Pn', down the raw ne, they caught sight of
i..,'aTal of their cOmpanions-some making
sew. picturesque effects as they were perched
w oU'y yoYerhanging rocks, and Others climbing
with laborious energy, up the steep noun
''" I'VE i will 20 over yonder by the cascade, "
goid Deyereux. care you fond OF ferns l
ser some beautiful ones growing there ON the
rocks A.. ..i. Ali.
,rov and led on, partly by DeyereuX, partly
ny the ferns. and partly, also, by her own
;ncIination. Alice ascended from point TO
mnint Of the rocks, until at last she found
herself elevated much above her former
stond- point, but prUfiting very little in the
w'y Of prospect. The dense underground of
tL,, mountain shut in the view on one side
"n ,hc other, the whirling rush of the falling
water was all that could be seen.
"l Eope this is sufficiently secluded for
youl taste" said she, looking up at Deyereux
with an air of resignation. 81 am very tired
may | sit down now Thanks-yes,
would like my ferns
Shr sat down on stone, and leaning back
AGAINST the massive gray rock, began exam
nipr the ferns and lchens which her cOm-
n,nion laid in her lap. She had taken off
her lint and laid it beside her, as a receptacle
for the selected specimens Her rich hair
caught the sunlight as she bent her head, and
exercise had given very clear and brilliant
rnlor To her cheek. Beautiful always, she
was almost more than beautiful now; and il
was not strange that DevereuX held his breath
as he stood looking at her She did not
notice the gaze, partly because it was her
policy to ignore il, but kept on talking in her
ight, graceful way about botany in general,
and ferns in particular, until at last his con
nurd silence forced itself on her attention.
She looked up, then, with laughing ques-
ton on her lips but, despite her self-posses-
sion, stopped short. The moment that she
met them, his eyes told her that the issue was
at hand
Now, it is not to he supposed that she
needed to be told-but she had not expected
il lust then. She was off her guard as it
wrlr and shock is always unpleasant. let it
come how ii will. She colored yividy-
flushing, indeed, TO the very roots of her hair
then, as he was about to speak, rose TO her
ttpt
81 think we had better go back, )" she said,
hunicdly II am quite rested now"
But Deyereux had no mind to let his OPP
puftunity slip in this way. There had been
nothing premeditated in the matter. The
situation had taken him as much by surprise
g. it had taken her but it was upon him
now and he meant to seize its advantages
The fever of sudden resolution took possess
sion of him. and, as is the case with great
many quiet men, its very novelty lent il force
lie had not meant to speak just now but
her beauty first unncrved him, and then her
strange embarrassment lent him courage
When she rose, he stepped before her.
No, Mrs. lnglcsby, he said, don't go
back now Stop-at least for minute.
have something to say TO you"
"lou can say it down below" answered
Alice, suddenly, unaccountably, neryously
anxious 10 get away "Pray, Mr.. DevereuX
pray let us go
"Oi course we will, if you desire it," he
said hut with such look of pain on his
face that, although he moved aside, she stood
will After all, what folly was this Why
should She act so rashly? Why should she
not hear him She knew or thought she
knew, what answer she intended to give.
Why not. therefore, have il over Mt once 7
n 4 second these thoughts flashed through
hrl mind, and, in second, also, she acted
On them
Pardon me" she said, looking at him
with her own gracious glance and manner.
81 did not mean TO be rude. ! will stay if
you wish it,
Thank you, he answered, hastily. Then
he was silent for a moment, looking at the
spray Of the cascade as 1t dashed by, and
striving to grasp words in which to express
the feeling that overmastered him. Words
did not come to him readily at any time, but
now he seemed to have lost all command OF
them As her embarrassment had given him
courage, so her elf-possession robbed him OF
1t, lie hesitated so long that at last, in des
peration he was about to speak, when there
came the sound of cracking boughs and
lwigS, as somebody forced way through the
llNuTiant underground, and distant shout
RON below was answered by voice near al
hand, saying, Thanks, yes-Im looking
for Miss lnglesby." The next moment
mans hand and arm appeared over the rock
gIaSped firmly the bough of a tough shrub
AMI with this help, the body to which the
arm belonged made an agile spring ant
lighted at Alices side As she drew back
lhe newcomer gained his feet, and she stooC
Iart TO face with Laurence Kennon.
If Mr.. Deyereux had been questioned hal
All hour later, it is To be feared that he woulC
have been found to entertain but confused
remembrance of the events of the next few
minutes. The appearance of his cousin
(Wl"m he thought far away from Northorpe
was surprising enough in itself but this sur
Prise dcepened into amaZement when he say
tlat recognition instantly took place be
tween Kennon and Alice Inglcsby.
YOU said the former, catching hi
breath with gasp, while his face paled, an
hS eyes diated almost nstantaneously-
."Yes-it is !, " said Alice, quietly then
alter minute she held out her hand, sayin
=. little wistfully, "Fate has ordained it, MI
htnnon. You see | remember that we ar
Old friends
bnt instead of taking her hand, Kenno
lolltd his arms and recoiled step.
- There is no uupStiOn Of fntp Or fripndshi
~ The matter" he said, coldly "This
SIMPLY mistake. ] was looking for Mis-
ihglesby, and ! was told that she was her,
see That She is not, so beg pardon for m
intrusion, and leave you to the tete-G-te
winch disturbed"
lie shot one dark, rcsentful glance at DeN
ereuN us he said the last words; but the la
tef was too puzzled to notice IT, Indeed. d
cnanced, there was nothing in his mind bl
CoFoal kindness toward his kinsman, and
ne could have secured moments time b
iofe complete bewilderment overlook hin
lie would have liked nothing better than
'AlreSs this kindness. AS ii was, he stot
sun and said nothing. Not so Alice, hoy
'!tr. She was mistress of the situation !
iighI OIL her supreme self-command, and
hcllllon turned to go, she laid her hand {
hls arm. Holding him captive thus, 81
SPOKE TO DeyereuX with the same gracio
smile that had given him hope, when 81
HsIGGd TO stay, ten minutes before.
MIR. kennon and | are old friends" 81
Salu' we knew each. other long ago AZ
ne Is naturally surprised TO see me again
sec me here. If you would not mind-if