The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-05-19

with fresh sense Of modification, she re-
mombered that tho only one she had to
offer was the reverse Of complimentary.
1 thought" she began-"that is
Aunt Ann said you were-I thought il
was my pocket-and / mistoOk you for
a"
"Pickpocket?" asked the stranger, as
the truth began to dawn upon him and
his eyes 'twinkled with sens, Of the
ludicrous situation.
Yes" answered Rhoda, desperately,
while her bushes deepened into scarlet.
And so | was to be brought to Justice
| suppose, and delivered up to the police
at the next station" And the dark eyes
danced behind the spectacles with merri.
ment
Do please forgive me-" replied Rhoda
81 have never travelled alone before, and
| have been from home but very little"
Well, was the laughing retort, "I'l
forgive you for putting your hand in my
pocket. Now see how much more merci-
iul | am than you intended to be r.
But Rhoda was in no mood for laugh.
ter; she felt that she had disgraced herself;
aud every time the train stopped she wished
that her companion would leave, and that
she might never see him again. She was
doomed to be disappointed, however, for
the cars were nearing her own destination,
and the stranger was still with her.
Bellevillel" shouted the conductor
and the inexperienced little traveller sprang
10 her feet, fancying that there was not a
moment to lose.
al will bid you goodbye" she remark.
cd, triumphantly.
Oh, don't be in a hurry" was the re.
Ply "there is plenty of time. | stop
here, too"
Provoking" thought Rhoda. "Now
| shall be constantly meeting him. wish
the summer was over"
Rhoda's friends were at the depot ready
to smother her with kisses.
Did you have a pleasant journey ?"
asked Miss Townsend, as they were driving
to the one large hotel Of which Belleville
boasts.
" was somewhat lonely replied
Rhoda.
Duncan Rivers came on the train with
you. Ho is quite distinguished lawyer
from Philadelphia, with any amount of
wealth, which he inherited from an uncle.
| wonder if you saw him, lie is tall, with
dark whiskers, and wears spectacles."
4" | was reading good deal of the time, "
remarked Rhoda, evasively, ''and paid
very little attention to the passengers
Her friends wondered why the warm
blood mantled her cheeks.
On their way to the dining groom, Mr..
Rivers came up and shook hands with the
Townsend family; and Nina Immediately
presented him to her particular friend
and schoolmate, Miss Clare"
Miss Clares face is familiar" remark
ed the gentleman, roguishly. "Were you
not on the train this afternoon?
Again the roses deepened on the soft,
dimpled checks, adding new brightness to
the dark violet eyes aud Nina wondered
if any masculine heart could resist the in
nocence, and freshness, and beauty of that
fair face. -
Belleyille was not place in which peo-
pie could spend their time yawning and
going to steep. The shaded walks and
beautiful drives, the magnificent scenery,
with the noble old mountains frowning
down upon the river, which laughed back
defiance to them as it sparkled in the sun
shine-all these proved to have greater
fascination for the young people than the
cosy, old-fashioned hotel, surrounded, as
it was, by great spreading trees, and look
ing so !nvitingly cool to the weary pedes-
trian.
Although Belleville boasted of many
eligible beaux just now, who had come to
rusticate for few weeks, yet Duncan
Rivers decidedly carried off the palm.
His cultivation, his personal appearance,
his polished manners, and his politeuess to
all and devotion to none, served to riyet
the thoughts of the young ladies upon him
rather than upon those whose particular
attentions were bestowed indiscriwinately.
All but Rhoda. The recollection Of the
particular compliment with which she had
favored him in the car served to render
her shy towards him now, and she avoided
him upon every possible occasion.
Meanwhile, this little episode, which he
considered good joke, had only served
to amuse him; and the pet of society won
dered, and was piqued, at the indifference
of an unsophisticated young girl Just fresh
from the school room. He carelessly re-
solved that she should be conquered, not
dreaming that he had anything deeper at
stake than the amusement of the hour.
His frequent invitations to her to walk
and drive, his devotion to her on the Gro
quet ground, their tete-a.tetes over the
chess board, were soon noticed by the
other occupants of the house, who, of
course, did not fail to make their comment
A picnic had been planned to the Falls,
about twelve miles from the village. On
the previous evening Rhoda had wandered
to the end of one Of the long halls, and
had seated herself in the window, where
the moon poured in food of silvery light,
bringing out in shadowy beauty the
leaves of the grand old maple trees, which
were reflected on the walls, dancing in
their own grotesque fashion as they were
gently swayod by the light breeze
al have found you at last, said a
pleasant voice. "Why did you run away
from us 2"
~ accidentally strayed into this corner
replied Rhoda, "and then could not re-
sist its beauty"
at is charming" said Mr.. Rivers,
seating himself ~ have come to ask
you, Miss Rhoda, if may have the pleas
ure Of your company in my carriage, to
the picnic, tomorrow"
81 had half made up my mind not to
go, said Rhoda, "for promised poor old
Miss Dennis, that | would spend day
with her before | leave, aud now the sum
mer IS almost past /" slH6 hSE
"0h, il sill never do for you to give
up the picnic r. exclaimed her companion;
''the last gayety Of the season. Give, the
old lady some other day aud 60 with me
tomorrow. Come, Miss Rhoda; you must
aoy 0vaa y I thfnk II ,v,ii 49, 81. u...sti