The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-09-26
OFF NAx0S.

Dora said. "Here we have our triapgu-
lar island. The bay on one side and
the river on the other side, and the
creek skirting the third side. Isn't it
pretty, Ada?"
"Lovely. Blue sky and blue water,
apd the nice picturesque old houses"
The two had climbed to the top of the
ancient Port Royal State-house to see
all this. Dora, peeping over the rail-
ing, tried to make out her husband
who was a lawyer, and bad a case in
court that day-among the crowd of
men standing in front of the courthouse.
Ada gazed out upon the glancing, shin.
ing waters Of the bay.
Presently, to them q third person; a
man-lean, gaunt, as yellow as parch.
ment, but with q look of self-gratulation
at present in his eyes which lighted up
his ugly face.
81 saw you ladies, as you turned into
the State-house. was two blocks off. 1"
Ada laid the ends of her fingers in
his. Dora shook hands cordially. But,
in spite of Dora's warmer greeting, he
seated himself by Ada. and Dora return
ed to her post of observation. There
was q high wind, under the cover of
which The two talked.
II might have known you would not
be glad to see me-" began the young
man. 81 am surprised ut myself for
coming"
"Yes!'
'I conclude that was overcome by
the suicidal instinct OF the moth"
No answer.
at is year to-day since I first saw
you, Miss Ada"
Still no answer.
"a year which has not proved alto
gether propitious to our acquaintance.
1 wonder why it is that can not please
your fancied-I do not think 1 was
entirely mistaken-tbat we used to be
very good frie nds. 1 should like to
know why it is that you dislike me now, "
he pursued, plaintively.
''Do not let us discuss it," Ada said,
brusquely. Have patience with her.
Her harshness and selfishness are not
without parallels in others Of her sex
and age.
81 would do anything to please you.
/ sometimes think it is my manners that
offend you. know that am awkward.
I assure you that my man ners give me
more concern than my salvation"
This had an irreligious sound, as Ada
upon to bestow upon him a look OF
orthodox reproof. "Of course they
do" he continued. "The one matter is
entirely my own personal responsibility;
the other is not"
Ada gave over the theme. She had
no theological opinions. She merely re-
marked, calmly: "You surprise me. I
should have said you were very self
complacent person."
"On the contrary, always feel as
though every one-you especially-were
laughing at me. If you would only give
me a hint now and then"
"Thank you, but do not feel equal
to carrying on your education"
"And give you so much "A pres
ent for a mighty king"
Ada, with hot cheeks, remembered
where George Herbert says that Glove
is a present for mighty king" In a
sentimental mood, such as she now no
longer experienced in her intercourse
with Professor Luce, she had once made
the full quotation herself. She said,
fretfully, az was having such peaceful
time up here before you came"
"And produced discord. If you
would only say how or why?"
81 think it is your Clothes" Ada re,
joined, recklessly. She longed to add;
"And your hair, but refrained, on the
possibility that Dora might overhear
and denounce her afterward for her rude.
ness. 1t seemed to her intolerable that
a man should approach her, basking in
the beauty of this perfect day, with that
crop of long, lank, light hair, SO nearly
the shade of his complexion.
Professor Luce drew long breath.
He who had hitherto professed to hold all
outside shows in lofty contempt had con
descended to debate the external of his
manners; but to be quarrelled with fol
such mere superficial considerations as
coat and trousers He had gone on en-.
during Ada for some time past, as some
women are sometimes endured by some
men. Now he wanted to get up and
leave. Only he did not know exactly
how. That wretched awkwardness OF
his was in the way of dignified depart.
ure. Ada spoke next, quite cheerfully.
since she had silenced him. the least IN
the world afraid that she had gone too
far.
81 love the bay. One never knows
what new shape it may bring in from the