The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-05-29

through the open window. The idea of
a possible rival stimulated his interest in
Miss Lowell amazingly, and he made his
toilet next morning with the athletic de,
termination to "go in apd win " at all
hazards. .--i
Uncle Joshua and his party were not
due until the Sd, so he had a day in which
to look about him and elaborate plan
of campaign. Entering the breakfast
room, the first object his eyes encountered
was Allibone Crosby himself, coffee-cup
in hand. He greeted Ned cordially
enough, but without affecting surprise at
seeing him. zlloHCL :. .teD .
"When did you get imp heard you
were expected about this time"
last night. How long have you been
hereP"
about week. Where have they
seated youp say, Julia TO the wait
ress-" put Mr.. Banks here, will youp
Mrs. Reeves won't be back for another
fortnight; he might as well have her
seat till she comes" t.-r
"Tll take it for to-day with pleasure,
but tomorrow l expect some friends"
said Ned. E.T ....s
"ohw replied Crosby, with a sort of
rapid CLINT in his eye. "Well, sit down
now, at all events, old fellow" ....
The :" here indicated was seat next
buG one to Crosby's own, round an angle
of ,he table. The chair between, as well
as that on the other side of Crosby, was
tilted forward to indicate pre-engage-
ment. Ned ordered his breakfast, but
before it appeared, two ladies entered,
and advanced at once to the reserved
seats L H........
They were so much alike as TO be evil
IDENTIFY sisters; but while one mad The air
and bearing of youthful matrop, the
other was as Enthusiastically a young girl.
This latter took the chair next to Ned,
and A A'libone Crosby, after moments
low-voiced conversation with the older
sister, leaned forward and introduced
them.
"Miss Darbelle, may I introduce my
| friend Mr. Banks, of New York;"
Then to Ned, AFTER breakfast I shall
have the pleasure of presenting you to
Mrs. Peters, Miss Darbelle's sister; just
now you seem at an unapproachable
distance"
Both ladies bowed, Mrs. Peters lean
ing past Mr. Crosby, and smiling bright
ly as she did so; Miss Darbelle with a
shy, upward look out of pair of brown
eyes.
She was a brown little thing alto
gether, was Ned's first reflection, for her
hair, evidently all her own, and bound
in great knot at the back of her small
head, was bright hazel in color. the long
lashes which shaded her eyes had a
bronzeslike glitter, and her skin was the
richest brunette, with a lovely pink in
the cheeks, like the hue of sun-ripened
peach. Even the delicate hands were
brown, and the slender arched' throat
which rose above the dainty ruffie: and
as if to enhance the effect, the dress was
brown also-a pale cream, relieved with
| knots of chestnut-cololed ribbon. The
extreme finish and delicacy of every line
and tint in both dress and wearer gave a
piquant and striking effect to the whole,
which amounted to absolute beauty, as
Ned presently decided; and the i'm
preston deepened as conversation
brought out saucy glitter in the coffee
colored eyes, and smiles revealed the
flash of pearl-white teeth. Miss Dar-
bellies voice, sweet and low, had that
musical semi-Southern intonation which
is so charming to the unaccustomed ear.
She was very easy and natural, and alto
gcther Ned found himself SO we'll enter
tained as to- prolong his breakfast to an
uuconscionable extent. 1t was not till
Mrs. Peters had inquired, more than
once, in a tone of slight impatience,
I.st M;ss HarheIIa With q denura IittIe
saIutation, rose and pusbed hack her
chair. .......
was there to do in that stunid Mace 3"
he asked himself. The ladies were
going to walk with Mr.. Crosby. and he
went too. What between the rocks and
the beaches. hours sped ranidlv away
There was a row in the afternoon. n
game at tennins later, a chat on the
moon-lighted piazza. we ali know how
such things 90 at a waterinp-place
where the business of life is simply to
live and enjoy the passing moment. It
was but for a dav. Tomorrow Uncle
Joshua and his heiress would arrive to
claim Ned's time and devoirs. Mean
time Miss Darbelle was very pretty, and
there was no harm in getting what fun
he could out of this extra day. The
craver business of life would be along
soon enough.
Alas for the mutability of human
plans! Next morning brought the fol-
lowing telegram:
delayed few days. Stay where YOU
are. Will write. j. BANKS"
"Wbat can have turned unpn asked
Ned of himself. but he submitted to the
DELAY nhilosophically. The hotel nroved
yery Comfortable: the weather was de-
licious: there might easily be found n
worse place to wait in than South Cove
even without Miss Lowell to add to its
attractions. He telegraphed an answer
| "a II right. will waltz and ras;anad