The Portland daily press., 1876-10-30
From Appleton's Jouanal.l
MOOnshine.
1CoNCLUDED.l
BY KATE PUTNAM.

mirers. Perhaps If il had been closely in
CURED into she fault might have been found
at the door of Edward Locksley, Esq. 1t was
certainly not at Mrs. Hamyn's. She had
done her utmost, and it was her greatest
chagrin that the strings would not work at
her pulling. And now strange puppet,
over whom she had no control whatever, had
intruded on the scene. This unwecome
puppets name was George Hastings, who, as
Mrs. Hamlyn lamented, had followed Augusta
Lollard to Black Harbor, thereby derangiDg
all those careful combinations from which the
plotter had hoped so much In these precious
weeks of isolation.
George Hastings was Miss LoIlards cousin.
Mrs. Hamlyn said he wanted to marry her.
Doubtless he did, and it was for her sake he
staid so contentedly in the wilds of Black
Harbor; for her sake also doubtless, that he
exerted himsely to be so civil to Miss Court
enay. For who does not know how the dis
cord of single member may destroy the har-
mony of whole party? George Hastings
was evidently bent on preventing so unde-
sirable a result.
Mrs. Hamlyn, for reasons of her own,
winked at these cvilities of Mr.. Hastings to
the governess. The governess did more than
wink-she shut her eyes to them. As she
had ignored Edward Locksley before, so she
Ignored George Hastings now. She could
not shun him bodily, for she must come and
60 at the bidding of another; but though her
movements were not her own, her percep-
lions were, and If she chose to turn these
inward and abide in darkness there was moth
ing in the world that could prevent her.
That was what she was doing somewhat
more literally than usual tonight. 1t was
moonlight night. That is easily said; but
there is moonlight and moonlight, and to at
tempt to convey in words the flood of splen-
dor which poured from this moon would be
tlyaf rtr<v -, vStokx q H.
with piece of chalk and blackboard. They
were all on the piazza together; but while
the rest gave themselves up to the full enjoy
ment OF the moonshlne, Miss Courtenay sat
little withdrawn in the vine-Graped corner
kind of shadow in the shade.
SWELL" said Mrs. Hamlyn, breaking a
pause, Saratoga and Newport are very well
in their way, but twas worth coming here
wasn't it, to get this moon?'
s'Why, do you think, then, Gracie,"
laughed LocksIey, t'that Black Harbor has
moon all to itself?"
"Now, there, you have answered your own
question, Locksley," put in George Hastings.
"That's just it, Black Harbor has moon all
to itself. while at Saratoga aud Newport it is
divided among so many as not to be worth
reckoning"
celebrated astronomer Hastings! And is
that Why you come to Black Harbor TO study
the planets" continued Locksley with a
quizzical glance not thrown away on its re-
cipient.
"Why remain, perhaps, but not why I
came, said he. "That, il you must know,
was pure curiosity. Impossible to pass this
rock-bound coast on my way
us Black Harbor on the way to any
where?, murmured Locksley, incredulously.
without pausing to enquire after the
health of Robinson Crusoe's interesting FAM
lily"
(which interested you to that degree that
you concluded to remain as man Friday, for,
by right OF priority, claim to be Crusoe my
self.
"You may be Oracle if you like, but 1 beg
you won't fasten such an unlucky name on
me. I'll have nothing to do with Friday in
any shape"
why, Mr.. Hastings, should never have
thought that of youp' cried literal Mrs. Ham
lyn. "But believe somebody has said we all
have our pet superstltions."
Somebody was very moderate, then," re-
Piled George; II have great many of all
Sorts"
"Tell US some Of them, GEORGE said his
the moon,' for instance"
ASK confessed astrologer if he believes
in the moonp exclaimed Locksley. I have
reason to believe he can cast horoscopes him
SELF"
Certainly can," said George, gravely.
VI have all sorts of diabolical knowledge,
from astrology down to common fortune-tell-
ling"
"Charmingw cried Miss Lollard, clapping
her hands. s'Then begin now and tell us
ours. Here we are, all ready.
All but Miss Courtenay," said George,
peering forward, not for the first time, into
the vine-shadows, "who persists in denying
Us the light of her countenance, and herself
the light of the moon. Why do you do it,
Miss Courtenay? Why do you keep in the
shade?'
'Some people are better in the shade" re-
piled Miss Courtenay, with gayer ring than
usual in her voice.
On the principle of contraries, Isuppose,"
said Hastings.
swell, there is no accounting for tastes"
said Miss Lollard with sort of little SILVER,
but for my part, like the light and detest
fortunately you are not likely to have
much of the latter" said Lockslev, on whom
Laura Courtenay's tone had not been lost.
"Also on the principle of contraries 1 pre-
sumo" rather poutingly said Miss Lollard.
mo, on the truer principle of like to like.
DON'T profess to be fortune teller like
your COUSIN" he continued, "but think I
could guess yours" and he touched with his
the acknowledged fingers twinkling in the
moonlight.
'Go on Locksley," said Hastings. graveIv.
eve are all deaf and blind here"
81 know" and here Locksley STONED
short, Tor a sudden wind-gust had lifted
VINE branch aside, and for breath's space he
had seemed to see Laura Courtenay's ewes
fixed on him with tears 10 them, and look
OF pain and reproach on her pale face Then
the vision fell into the shadow again.
You were saying?" suggested Miss Lol- |
lard, as he continued silent.
II don't know" vaguely replied Locksley.
who had indeed no longer any idea of what |
he was saying.
singular corollary the last part of YOU |
sentence forms to the first" remarked Hastr |
ings, laughing. 81 know don't know. Well,
to know ones ignorance is the first condi-
tion of wisdom"
''Is it, really, Mr.. Hastings?" said Mrs.
Hamlyn; land what is the second?"
"To know when to CO." answered Hast l
ings, rising and tossing away his cigar end, /
which shows that even l have some feeble |
glimmering of my mind; for do know it is /
time for me to take myself of. Will YOU l
walk down the road with me, Locksley? No! |
lazy fellow. Well, good night, then; good |
night, Mrs. Hamlyn; good night, Gussie;
good night, Miss Courtenay-do let me take |
you out Of the shadow! in tone which
SOcAlcu luuCu uoIo Ike 10 leu me lake YOU
out of all shadowr'
Miss Courtenay had risen with the rest,
Dur when the two ladies strolled down to the |
gate with Mr.. Hastings, she resumed her
seat. After moment Mr.. Lockslev came
up and stood leaning against the pillar be-
side her.
"What magnificent nightly he said. ut
tering the commonplace words in what he
vainly strove TO make commonplace tone.
"Yes, indeed" And Miss Cour.enay's
tone was commonplace enough.
"ODe seldom sees such moonlight. ONLY
look at the sheen on that meadow over there
One might fancy it a lake."
Moonlight is very deceptive" she replied,
with certain apathy that suggested lack of
interest in the conversation.
"VeryP' said he, significantly, stung by
her manner. "Did you know it almost made
me fancy | saw tears in your eyes little
while ago."
"Tears in my eyes!' she repeated, turning
them fnll on him, nothing but kind of mock
ing surprise in them now. "And, pray, what
ana you fancy brought them there? Did you
think was crying for the moon like spoiled