Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-03
NO.. Z.

[ piicu. Hot v'litt KNOWING WHAT 10 say.
That's very kind of you. Do YOU hap
pen to know that the canoe is private prop
erty-is mine, as a matter of detail ?"
told her that had no idea of that in
teresting fact, II thought it belonged to
DR.. Silverthone," humblv protested.
Not bit of it," said she impatiently
lit belongs to me- Papa gave both these
canoes to me early in the spring.
"Oh then I have the pleasure of ad-
dressing Miss Slverthorne 20
Yes" said she, 'you have that pleas
ure"
"Allow me, then, to introduce myself
my name is Stow, Godfrey Stow"
She burst out laughing. II see it all,
now: you are the new boy didn't ex-
pect YOU till next week"
Hang itr' l thought new boy, in
deed This pert little miss must be taken
down a bit" hated to be called boy.
perhaps because bore such unmistakable
evidence of being one had In those
days horrid habit of blushing, and was
conscious of feeling red from my hair
down to my collar.
She laughed again, not a feeble, inane
giggle, which so often accompanies girls
in their teen, but clear, ringing, ENJOYABLE
laugh. which seemed to be set to melodious
music. When Constance Silyerthorne
laughed her dark brown eyes glittered.
her cheeks broke into dimples She was
a most enjoyable sight
81 can't help laughing" she cried, TAX
ing two strokes with her paddle. which
brought her within a yard of me, lyon
blush so delightfully."-
However attractive her presence might
be. Miss Silverthorne's conversation did
not add to my composure. Iblundered on:
81 am happy to he able to amuse you.''
] returned, pettishly. "Do you never in
dulge in a blush ?'
mo; it doesn't suit my complexion.
Besides, never say or do anything which
should cause me to blush" And she
dipped her paddle in the water and glided
out into mid-stream.
80 am going home cried she, looking
back at me over her shoulder, ''qati m iaime
me SURE"
"Td rather accompany than follow you,"
returned, coming up alongside
'And you have not known me long
enough to-er--to do the other thing"
"Not quite; but you may live in hope,
Miss Silverthorne.
THAT is better" quoth she, ..you are
capable of Improvement, see There,
don't blush; allons'
The stream carried us swiftly down to
the boat house in the rectory garden. l
disembarked first, aud stopped in order to
steady her canoe as she rose She sprang
on to the wooden step, and with her finger
tips lightly touched my cheek Good
boy" she said demurely, and without an
other word fled toward the house.
hardly know whether | was more sur
prised at the caress than at her sudden dis
appearance. l lighted a pipe, in my
doubt, and lay down on the bank and
thought about her Truly. she was most
unusual young lady. Not that my knowl-
edge of womankind was extensive or deep
but with the confidence born of nv twenty
years of life | flattered myself knew a
thing or two, and woman was one of the
things, of course
Her presence certainly adds flavor to
the place" | thought to myself; ..she will
help me to spend my leisure pleasantly
enough. have no doubt" And then the
dinner-bell sounded, and | strolled off to
dress.
When | descended. the Rector was
standing with his back to the fire place
chatting to Stuart Smart | was intro
duced to that gentleman, and agreed with
him that the weather was all that could be
desired Then the Doctor was of opinion
that if rain did not fall within the next six
weeks drought might possibly ensue:
and so in the interchange of other original
and appropriate remarks in the unm-
peachability of which we were generally
agreed, five minutes slipped by.
"Ha' at last said the Rector. as Miss
Silverthorn glided into the room Con
stance, let me introduce to you Mr.. Stow,
my new pupil
She bowed rather frgidly, thought,
and busted herself with some roses at
side table.
"Will you take my daughter to dinner.
Mr.. Stow" asked the Rector, presently.
| bowed, approached her. and offered my
arm-rather awkwardly. must admit.
She placed the tips of her fingers on my
elbow, and walked into the adjoining
apartment.
She sat on my left at the table, and had
occasional opportunity of observing the
beauty of her figure and the easy grace of
her movements She wore a dress of
some light material, which fitted her per-
fectly. Her hair was light, with an in
clination toward auburn. and had here and
there golden CLINT her eyes were very
dark, and produced decided effect on me
when. dashng out from under yellow eve-
brows. they met mine. On this occasion
Miss Silverthorne was chary of her glances,
and though | was lost in admin a,ion, she
gave me no encouragement
When the claret was put upon the table
she rose without speaking and left the
room. The doctor was chatty. and CON-
pared notes with Smart as to the difference
between Oxford of to-day and Oxford of
years ago. | was not interested in their
discourse; l longed to be away. to talk
with Constance, whom | could see playing
at fancy work on the lawn. for although
the restrictions of society closed her Chris
tian name to my lips, in my thoughts she
was Constance already.
l took the first opportunity of escaping
from the diningroom, but as found nv
way to the lawn she escaped into the house
through the French window.
''Vitas hinnuleo me similis, Chloe"
quoted in my despair. Could she be an
CRY with mep Had offended herp
paced up and down smoking a cigar.
cite Presently the Rector and Sm.rt