The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-02-15
You are very kind. Whom have you

here?'
Only my dear old guardian, Uncle
Lakeman, you know-Nellie Damer, ant
Mr.. Fred Lacrott.'
Fred Lacrolt 81
oh, you don't know him; but he's such
a good fellow
1t is not particularly delightful to hear
another man praised as a good fellow by
young lady-at least didn't find it so
had no doubt should hate Fred Lacroft
He was sure to be a detestable snob
felt that had found the enemy OF my life
So | accompanied Miss andermeyer to
the drawing room; and there was the inn
pudent inlerloper. playing chess with Mr.
Lakeman with the most assured and at
home air imaginable,
MIR Delatield- Mr. Lacroit,' said Miss
andermeyer
| bowed. but scoWled a. tiercely as
could, and was conscious of an inclination
TO throw him out of the window.
Would you like 4 game OF chess while
we are waiting for dinner" asked Miss
Nandermeyer
No, thank you, responded morosely
What don't you like chess? p
4 think it does very well for boys
returned, with a tremendous effort to he
sarcastic.
Miss andermeyer blushed little, and
glanced shyly at Mr.. Frederick Lacrott
but that individual only stroked his NOUS
tachc, and gave a low. mellow. good
humored laugh thus adding insult to in
jury. was strongly tempted to challenge
him on the spot,
A iOOtman came IN and announced din
ner 1t was served in u little vine-hun
balcony, opening toward the river The
soft. summery air was all about us the
moon was rising Just over the water and
the birds We're singing goodnight in the
tall, dark tree tops close by 1t ought to
have been delicious - bat somehow it
beside me-a young lady with face like
q wax doll. pink cheeks, blue eyes, and
little rings of yellow hair lying on her
white torehead-a style Of beauty that |
don't admire. | could, however, have for
given her looks if she would have let me
alone. But the creature would talk. which
was very aggravating, considering that a
most animated by-play was going on be-
tween Miss andermeyer and that detest-
able Lacroit, which | could not catch
without giving it my closest attention. He
laughed a good deal. He seemed to find
things very amusing. ! took my dinner
in silence.
| made one or two discoveries before
we left the table had always thought
Miss Fandermeyer' uncle rather a nice
old gentleman; but now perceived that
he was an old togy, with a rubicund nose,
who ate like a gOurmand
When dinner was over, Miss Wander
meyer proposed a row upon the river
Everybody acquiesced. Lacrott and | took
the oars; but it was l4acrott who took
Miss Nandermeyer's shawl. and wrapped
it tenderly about her
You can sit there, Margaret, he said.
Margaret, indeed!
NO she answered. with little, ill
fu shake of the head, .Ill sit here And
she sat down close by me.
Then had my revenge Lacroft was
forced to play the agreeable to Miss Da-
mer lie did it with a very good grace,
but could imagine his feelings That lit
tie hour atoncd for my misery. She was
beside me. her beautiful eyes looking into
mine, her soft voice singing low songs for
my pleasure Then | undertook to teach
her to row Delightful pleasure it was to
see her little, white hands trying to man
age the clumsy oar.
So, over those silvery waves, we rowed
back to the landing, oyershadoWed by the
huge old trees that grew close to the rlv
er's brim, and lying in deep gloom. While
held the boat fast to the wharf. Lacrott
sprang out to assist the ladies. In IN in
stant | was cursing his a"llwardness, for
there was a quick, frightened cry, and ]
knew it was Miss Nandermeyer who
slipped and fell into the black water. 1t
was only moments work to throw off
my coat and plunge after her. All, how
thankful | was when my darling's white
face came to the top of the water-a long
way Off, swept away by the tide, but
not beyond my reach, after a few swift,
strong strokes.
They were all wild with Joy when laid
her dripping and half tanting on the turfy
slope.
oh, my dear fellow, now can we ever
be grateful enough TO you? If she had
been lost, | should never have got over
it, cried LacroIt.
The words tro2e me He was her lover,
then walked up to the house with
him. mute and miserable | would have
rushed away. but | could not go back to
the city wet as a norman. | must stay all
night 50 Lacrott said, and so said Mr.
Lakeman Miss Nandermeyer added her
persuasion.
DO you think we could let you 90 p she
said, softly. You forget what owe YOU
You owe me nothing-any one would
have done the same
| think my harsh tone hurt her. caught
the surprised, grieved look in the eyes
that met mine, before | turned abruptly
away That night, lying awake after the
household was asleep, | resolved to rise
early the next morning. before any one
was stirring, and 60 to the city, leaving a
note to excuse my sudden departure.
So left Staten Island, in the cool.
sweet hush OF the early morning, never,
thought, to see it again. Back to my
work | must 60, and forget that had ever
known Margaret Vandermeyer.
That was gloomy day. Toward night
came q sunny CLEAN in the shape of a note
from Miss Vandermeyer
DO you know she wrote. that you
were very rude to 60 away as you did this
You want to escape our thanks,
| suppose; but that does not excuse you
Will you come tomorrow, and be for
given ?
There was dea! of consolation in these
simple words, but | hardened my heart,
and wrote to Miss Vandermeyer that urg-
ent business would prevent my doing my
self the honor. etc
What wretched week followed! Who
would have thought that one little woman
could have thrown my mind into such a
| worried myself i'll, and, con-
scious that | was looking haggard and
would not 60 out, but worked
at my easel all day, day after day.
One afternoon, at the end of that wretch
ed week, | was putting q few last touches
upon my picture, which was now COM
pleted, when there came a low tap at the
door. l opened it, and to my inexpressi-
BILE surprise, beheld Miss Vandermeyer.
She threw back her veil, put out her lit
tie, gloved hand doubtfully and said:
How do you do. Mr.. Delafield9 May
come imp
Certainly, Miss Vandermeyer--I am