The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-07-17
A WOMAN, AFTER ALL,

A WOMAN, AFTER ALL,
Take off that hideous bonnet, Doro-
thy. l want to see your sweet little
face without it,"
Thou shouldst not speak so Charles.
1t is very wrong"
Why, little Dorothy? Tell me
why"
Thou knowest favor is deceitful and
beauty vain. We ought to bear testi-
mony against the vanity of personal
looks"
"Ought wep Then tell me why it
pleased Providence to make you 50
beautiful, my small cousin
Hush. Charles, 1 will not permit
thee to speak to me in this manner"
And little Dorothy Hicks, the Quaker
ess, put on the gravest air and strug-
ged valiantly to turn the corners of her
mouth down when they wanted to turn
up.
Don't look so serious, little girl.
You positively alarm me-" And Charles
Maynard burst into hearty laugh that
echoed though the poplar trees in the
old garden. Nov tell me, Dorothy
l insist upon knowing, as member of
your family, I consider that l have the
right to be informed-are you going to
marry BroadbrimP"
Friend Ephraim is an estimable
man, Charles; thou must not speak of
him thus
Look Dorothy. There he is. Twill
quote no proverbs, but the rim of his
hat just turned the corner as / spoke.
Now don't look as if you intended to go
back to the house, for you are not going.
I'll tell you secret. When / was down
to the river this morning l found boat
with tempting pair of oars lying in it,
and / made up my mind that Dorothy
Hicks and her wicked, worldly cousin
from the populous city of New York,
were going for row in that very boat
this evening. 1t is .neighbor Han
cocks boat"
Yes. But. Charles. fear it is my
duty"
mo, it isn't. You know you don't
want to spend this lovely evening in the
house entertaining Broadbrim, and you
want to 60 with me and watch the sun
set on the river"
Dorothy looks doubtfulIy toward the
house and wistfully toward the river.
Femme qui hesite est perdue," Doro-
thy, which means :" if we don't hurry,
Graycoat will come out and catch US. :"
Charles takes Dorothy's hand in his, and
in moment they are on their way to
the shore.
"But, Charles, see that cloud in the
south. If there were to be storm?"
"But there will not; come, jump in. ;"
The oars were lifted into the row-locks,
Dorothy takes the management Of the
rudder in her hands, and soon they are
gliding over the smooth surface of the
water, leaving track of silvery bub-
bles behind them. 1t is lovely even
ing. The misty shadows of twilight are
gathering in the east and the west; the
clouds, blood-red and purple, are cast
ing rosy light all over the broad river;
a fresh breeze is blowing round their
faces, and waves splash against the
sides of their boat, like low, monotonous
music. Charles is talking about his
home, telling Dorothy about his aunts
and cousins he has not seen for long
time, and amusing her with stories of
his college days, and his efforts to make
his way in his profession, which were
so unsuccessful at first. Neither of
them notices that the breeze grows
fresher, and that the dark cloud in the
south has spread over the horizon, and
is covering it with darkness.
Presently low, muttering growl of
thunder startles them from the dream
into which they had fallen.
"Turn back, Charles, turn backr'
screamed Dorothy, the storm is upon
us" They had been rowing with the
tide. The river is very wide, and the
increasing force of the waves and the
wind together is so strong that when
they attempt to turn about the water
ushes into the tiny boat. Both faces
grow pale in the murky light as they
see the danger.