Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-19
A PANEL
A SOUTHERN STORY.

a Wluc, " hlUc ioEsheau doo'e, III aus
lpotted with white aster; pansy dark
ewes under curled black lashes The
lovely woman's face looking out OF the
oriel windows held Captain Gordon
Sommers captive.
Come, Captain called a voice from
the water below.
He made no response to startlo the
Girl, for size had not seen him. The
cool, oval face rested on the slender
hand, and she was looking dreamily
over the water.
Il say, Cap, what keeps you! What
have you found"
He could have straugled Low, with
his impatient believing, for now the
fair face started and flushed, and, turn
ing, adelaide Westerey saw the in
truder in the garden.
Captain Sommers stepped forth, but
without his usual grace and ease, and
lifted his hat.
4 beg your pardon. Could we get
some water here"
'Yes, certainly. Knoel: at the south
door, and my man will give you all you
want
She seemed startled out Of an habi t.
ual serenity, yet her voice had a strange
softncss and sweetness.
I've continued the Captain, 'are
in search of strange boat which got
adrift from the yacht Mermaid last
night. We have been about here for
three hours. 1t must have got over the
bar and gone ont to sea-
Low, lifting himself to look over the
bank, saw how things We're, and settled
back resignedly.
"A small boat called the Dolphin 2?
asked Adelaide,
Yes
with a book and spy-glass in it 2
she continued.
Yes confessed Sommers, ashamed of
his seamanship. 4 let it get away from
me. l have charge of the yacht. There
she is yonder,' pointing to the ofling.
You viii find your boat fastened to a
post just inside the breaIwater. My
man Stephen picked it up last night.
He is in the garden. Stay, l will call
him.
She came down to the garden door--a
beautiful young creature all in white
and found Captain Sommers awaiting
her, cap in hand. They went together
down the oyersrown paths, he holding
the rose-vines aside to let her pass,
4 am giving you too much troable,
said he.
NO. There is my man. Stephen ?
she called.
The old man came up with his spade.
He began telling how he had found the
boat-tor which the young man did not
care two straws, casting desperately
about i'll his mind to learn how he was
to meet Adelaide again.
She had already withdrawn to the
terrace, and stood awaiting his final
bow. She little dreamed the truth
sweet Lady of Shalot She was look
Ing tixedly at the fine, strong figure, the
cool, sensitive blonde face, the pictar-
esque yachtman's dress she had in
haled the faint fragrance of cigars, felt
the magnetism of this strangers gentle
touch as he put her dress aside from the
thorns, and feel ing of pain she could
not express visited her pure heart as
she realized that in minute he would
be gone from her gaze.
And he went. With one backward
glance from the fine blue eyes, with a
gay and graceful salutation and final
call of thanks to the young lady, Cap
tain Sommers turned bend of the rose
path and disappeared, followed by old
Stephen.
"A desperate venture' he muttered,
'but my only chance'
If, while unmooring the boat, he
deftly questioned the old servitOr of
the Westerleys, old Stephen never told.
But when he saw the two boats float
ing off shore, he chuckled over the bit
of silver in his hand, and muttered,
Good luck to you, sir.
T.. IA. 1,>& elo~lv