The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-20
a RI.AM4EHAT.we
: BY EBEN, E., RExFoRD,

TX. srEg BY EBENs E.r REXFORDr a. .4.;s
Belle Browning had good many pc
culiarities.s She was fond ,eof readine
novels for one thing, and liked to have
things happen romantically. Anything
that did happen in that way-and she
had lived long enough to know that that
wasn't often--7was- of much more i'm
poetanca in. her estimation thu d. the
common run of occurrences. And then
another Of her little peculiarities was
that she liked to have her own way and
make other people do pretty nearly as
she wanted them to. Her temper was
rather peculiar, too. Sometimes she
was ell sunshine and sweetness; some
times she wasn't. After having given
you this brief description of some OF
her peo11liarities yo,i viii readily under
stand that Belle wasn't very unliRp q
good many girls you know.
When q party of our young people
were out boat-riding one day the boat
capsized and Belle, among the others.
fellainto the water, taking the starch
out of her RIFLES and the crimp out of
her hair. But sh6 didn't care for that
because tho affair was go romantic,
There wasn't the least bit of danger,
for the water wasn't more than three
feet deep in any place. But Belle
sore AIMED for some Quo to save her, and
Raloh Loring picked her up aud swan
to shore with her, she told her friends,
just as she was going down for the sec
ond time. It must have, been queer
swimming, but then it did to tell. In
fact, in the way Belle told it it made
quite u pretty story, and il you butin'
known the circumstances of the case
you would have been quite apt to think
Ralph Loring a hero. ~. 2..1
Belle had had quite liking for Ralph
for some time. He was good-lookinp.
smart and Yell,to-do. In fact, he was
one of the best catches" in the place.
When. the very romantic episodeEof the
boats being capsized took place she
declared thathe had saved her life. told,
herself that she owed him her gratitude
and love and proceeded to make hetself
agreeable The result of, it was that
Ralph suddenly became attentive and
by and by proposed marriage and was
Matters stood in thatsway when Capt.
De Vaux came to town. Where the
captain was from and what he was cep-
tain, Of no one knew. He was good
looking, stylish and well-dressed. He
had any amount Of assurance and in
sinuated himself into the best society
at once, and nobody asked for his ere.
aentials. 20 :" I''' :
He is such romantic. looking fell
low" declared Belle to Ralph one day
"dont you think. 80 ?" r.fv. r. - :
e"SNo, I don't" answered Ralph, de-
cidedly II think he is very cheeky
looking fellow. to say the least, and I'm
considerably mistaken. il ha would be
ewilling to havehis affairs inquired into %
Ralph had taken strong dislike to him
from the very first
hope you aren't jealous" said
Belle, with,a provoking laugh ss,o;s q
"Not at oil, thank you," answered
Ralph. ...Tuoe saaa t5o2
Belle determined to have some sport
She would firb withDe Vanx and make
Ralph terribly jealous. When she got
ready to do 30 che would send the cap
tain about his business and fet Ralph
af9 ;h fhss sssa shs sbea been amusing heraeli
Italsbe iuss. .jelly,YY declared Belle.
Inc very next time they were out in
company together she beset Capt. DE
Vaux with her destinations, and that
gentleman proved an easy and willing
victim. CIidph Matched tie proerese oi i
affairs with keen eye, -
Belle" ,"h'e said toiiisSaheaay. I" do
Jon think You nre doing ipst right 2"
Doing jnst right?" replied Belle.
What do you mean?"