The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-11-27

| "Nettie Wilford J" I echoed in sur
prise, for Nettie Wilford was the bells
ofN-, ard | had often expressed
wish to make her acquaiutance-and
| had made it! Was there ever sucn an
unfortunate mortal? Will my lucky
star ever predoueinate? | walked tc
the grove in a state Of mind better i'm.
sgined than described; l had made my,
self supremely ridiculous in the eyes ol
the lady l most wished to please.
Arriving al tie grove bnsy scene
presented itself. Huge wash-boilers
were employed in the goodly busnes:
of making tea, coffee and chowder. Ice
cream freezers were scattered about
from which circumstance / inferred
that ices would be plenty. Long tables
wero spread in every direction; little
fairies we're fitting here and there pre-.
pairing refreshments; groops were clus-
tered about the foot OF some giant of the
forest, weaving garlands destined to
adorn their own bright looks, or grace
the hat of some favored cavalier; some
were swinging, others were walking,
and everybody seemed to be enjoying
themselves generally.
When the refreshlnets had been par
! taken Of, aud after Hugh and l had
slowed away goody quantity of chow
der, and disposed Of innumerable ices,
turned to Hugh, aud said,-
"What next, Hugh?"
swell, Tom," said he, "they are
planning boat ride suppose VIC join
them."
l ossented and We strolled off in the
direction tho party were 'ueipg.
On reaching the highlab overlook
iog the pond on which our pleasure
party was to sail, lovely landscape was
unfoldcd to my admiring gaze. A
beautiful silvery lake, its shores fringed
by willows that bent their branches to
kiss the sparkling waves that danced in
the bright sunlight. lay at my feet like
jewel in its emerald setting of fields
Of waving grain that stretched beyond
far away in the distance to the blue
mountains that melted SO gradually into
the soft tints Of the clear summer
sky.
"How beautiful 1 involun.arily
exclaimed; but hearing no response
from Hugh, l turned and found that he
was engaged in saluting Portly gen
tlcman who was escortiug young lady
whom l recognized as the gypsy"
frankie.
Hugh led them toward me, his face
beaming with pleasure, and formally in
trcduced me to Judge Whiord aud
daughter. The judge was very happy
to meet Mr.. Raymond, and Miss VIII
iofd or fsszs.S Tar 1 .aa5--------------4-,
the Acquaintance of MIR. Grcyson's
friend; said friend being very happy to
meet the lady and getleman, and also
thinking that it gave the lady more
pleasure to meet Mr.. Greyson, who in
very lover-like manner gave her his
arm aud sauntered slowly down to the
boats, leaving his friend to follow with
the judge.
On the shore We found the party as
sembled, patiently awaiting their turn
to embark. After time the ladies
were stored away, their little screams
aud shrieks hushed, and the last fold OF
refractory crinoline adjusted, when the
snowy sails we're unfurled to the sol'
breeze, and the little gala feet slowly
left the shore.
Judge Wilford was seated on my
right, and Hugh and Miss frankie on
nv left. A number of other ladies and
gentlemen completed our party. Theil
merry jests fell unhccdcd on my ears
for l was thinking of one who was not
there; for whose blue eyes l had looked
in vain; and it seemed that Others shared
my solicitude, Tor frankie leaned for
ward, and said,-
"Fa,hcr, where con Nettie be?
do not see her in any Of the boats"
Just at that moment, before th'
judge could reply, saw shoot out from
little cove fairy shallop rowed by
the missing maieen. 1t is the nympl
of the lake, thought |, as | gazed on
the white.robcd figure. Her beautiiu
curls escaping from thef confinement
loated on the breeze, revealing the pure
white of her neck and shoulders, while
the gauzy folds Of her robe hung grace
fully around her exquisite form. On
little hand held the single oar which
guided her light skiff; in the other wa
her tiny hat with its long, dropping
plumcs.
As she ncared the party, the gentle
men shouted. aud the ladies waved lhei
bardkerchiefs. She waven her snowy
plumed hat in return, lost her balance
irembled, swaycd, fell. The blue wave
closed over the bright vision, and tn