The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-12-15
SELECT STORY.
A SUMMERS ROMANCE.
BY PERCY MONTAGUE.


evening ky Of the gorgeous sunset. The
sweet summer breezee came through the
window, and stirred the thick waves Of
flaren hair on Helen's head.
There had been n long, deep paure be-
tween the friends.
Presently Viola broke il by saying:
"Nell. tell NE eandidly what you
think Of me-"
II ibink you are like the summer
Wind" Helen answered in her grand,
even tones-"rwcet and refreshing. But
/ believe you put me most in mind OF
peach blossoms. can hardly explain
why, unless il is because your cheeks are
so delieately pink. You are very pretty'
my pet. Your eyes are deep and brown;
they have a look Of heaven in them.
Now, my eyss are cold and glittering;
but yours are tender and true. Indeed,
you are very pretty, sweet.
"Helen, tell me-" whispered Viola,
"whst you think of Otto Frentzel. Will
be be the right husband for me? Is be
the right man? Come, tell me what you
think Of him. You have been now two
months with me, and surely you have
formed an opinion.
Helen did not reply Immediately; and
when she did il was in a measured way
unusual TO her.
"IIe 10 good and true" she said; "and
/ admire him very much. He is hand
some, and, / think, wholesouled. j
would rather see you the wife Of grave
man, for you are light and gay yourself.
Otto is Of the same temperament. do
not, fn general, approve Of like mating
like. But tell me, little friend, how you
chanced to meet him. ap never tired
Of listening to the sweet story"
II met him up at Peekskill," began
Viola, nesting closer to her friend. 81
went there TO live a quiet life with aunt
Fletcher, on the peaceful farm. did
not expect to see any one there except
aunt and uncle. They had sent for him
from Germany, to make his fortune here
in America. Wicked relaiivesl they al
ways conirived to have us together. o.
course ended in loving him. j felt a
that time more than at any other the
wretched loneliness Of my orphan lif'
and troubles Of an heiress; and W ben h
offered me 30 much pure love and joy
I listened to him very willingly. lknev
he was poor, from the beginning OF ou
friendship; but did not at all care fo
that. ] am rich enough to make on
life one Of ease and enjoyment. And 80
Nell. ! said yes. when he proposed.
"You do not" said Helen, laughin
low, tell the story so we'll now as yo
did when I first came to you. You
voice does not thrill in the telling. Oh
Viola. you love him still do you not
"Ceriainlyl do not think | shall eve
change any toward him. l love him to
much for that"
Helen did gst continue the converts
tion; 20 they fell into sweet silence agaiI
and watched together the twinklin
stars come out in the heavens one /
one.
After awhile the door was opened, al
Otto Frentzel came in. Viola knew
was he by the sound Of his footballs.
"Oto," said she, without lookir
around, "come here and sit on the flo
at my feet. Nell and / are dreamir
here in the shadows. If you are quit
SIR, We will not object to your presence
lie came forward, and flung hims'
on the floor at their feet. He rested
head against Viola's lap.
viola's hand strayed over his hair.
Helen could not endure the sight Of hi
leaning against her friend, so look
away from the picture at the glitteri
stars, with a peculiar expression in }
eyes.
~ have taken a great liberty with yC
Viola" said Otto, presently, breaki
the pause. al have invited my brotf
Conrad up TO see you tonight. You I
not offended. are you, dearest?"
"Why noV' answered she. am g
you did it. did not know you haC
brother. You never told me anyth
about him. What is he like-like yo1
ale il handsomer than /. You W
however, soon see him for yourself;
there il no need for me TO describe b
lie lives in Germany. He is an auth
His publisher has sent him over here
write sketches Of the Centennial Exl
ition At Philadelphia for foreign ne
paper. He arrived yesterday. ! h
kept silent about him, because / wis
TO surprise you. How you will like h
lie 10 not talkative AZ am. He is gr
and grand, noble as liking. In Germ'
among our friends, we sometimes
him Koenig Conrad"
"You have made me very curious,
marked Viola, "and shall ] feel anx
and impatient till ] see him. hav
idea your brother will be my ideal q
All, you don't know that have thou
about heroes and grand men. OF co
you imagine ] find al ever dream'
in you. Blessed conceit! When is
brother coming?"
cit is now beyond the time ] app
ed" Otto answered. "But harkl I
he Is now ut the door"
Jus, as the bell rang, the moon, j
her glory, came out from behind
clouds, and flooded the room with
low light.
The door was flung open, and the
want announced:
"Mr. Conrad Frentzel."
Viola looked at him, and their
met. She feltspellbound by the 81
To her, the world suddenly underw
wonderful change. From that that
meDt when their eyes met her life
what it had never been before. ]
peared as il she had abruptly said