The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
A STITCH IN TINE.


ment among the fair denizens of the
bo,els at Old Orchard Beach when il
became known that the Earl of Dunkelth
lad telegraphed fora suite departments
at the Ocean house. His lordship was
Of course, accompanied by servants, at
least, 60 it was copjectured by the ladies
who were by far more interested in him
tban the gentleman. He was also ascer-
tained 10 be bachelor-of his age they
could obtain no information, though one
gentleman who had spent some time in
scotland said he must be between forty
and fifty, At all events, he was no sham
count, but real and yeritable noble
man, with wealth to back his title aud
ancient lineage. So far all was satslac-
tory, hut then there came the slight
drawback without which everything 10
this world would be incomplete, viz.
His lordship was travelling incog. The
landlord Of the Ocean House bound HI
Guests TO secrecy, nd as the number
tone bundled and fitty) chiefly consisted
If ladies, this was, Of course, an easy
matter.
Remember, ladies, that Mr.. Erskine
aud Mr.. Scott are the two Scottish
gentlemen who will arrive tomorrow
o ,lige me by remembering this"
The 10 O'clock train brought Mr.
Etskine and Mr.. Scott TO the beach. Two
well booking gentleman they were. Mr.
Erskine was about forty-fiye years OF
age, stout. rosy and sunburnt, but afliict.
ed with "A some what painful limp, which
he accounted Tor 10y carelessly remarkine
he tad met with an accident climbing
mountains in Switzerland. His com
panion, Mr.. Scott, was slight blonde
lad, about twenty-five; quite, unassum'
INC and rather shy. They were accom-
panied by two servants, an elderly man
named Datson, who bad more dignity
than both of them put together, and 9
Frenchman called Alphonse.
Mr.. Scott seemed very much under
lhe control of his lordship. When they
arriyed he fingered for a while on the
beach, and apparently only lett it when
requested 10 do so by his patron, who
seemed more in need Of solid refresh
ments than view Of the oce.n, beauh>
ful as was its aspect, and bewildeIing as
the costumes Of the fair bathers were.
"Come, Scott. Let's go to the house
and get some breakfast
They left the servants to attend to the
luggage, and strolled up to the hotel
where the wide piazza was crowded with
guests; they were at once condutte tC
the dining room and seats assigned them
The proprietor was, of course. TOO gentle
manly TO bestow more attention ON hi,
noble guests than on the other boarders
still they were made thoroughly com
Portable.
Alter the morning meal had been dis
posed of, the two strangers betook them
selves TO the beach, where a periec
carnival was going on. Many ladie
looked well in their bathing dress, and
few Id not, and the nob,eman seemed
by his adlhiring glanceS quite able on,
not unwilling TO discriminate between
them.
pretty girls, Scott" he said, as pail
Of fair oathers passed him hand in hant
on their way to the water.
They were worthy OF notice even from
him-Be.le Harrison and Maud Eden
they were both beauilful-a blonde an,
brunette. Belle VS. tall, slender
graceful and goldenshaircd, with milk
SKIN and sapphire eyes. Maud was petite
plump and rosy, with brown eyes wher,
laughing imps danced all day, ant
waving, dark hair. Her checks wer,
warm and wore strawberry flush, ant
her lips were like ripe and temptin
cherries. Belle was an heiress and Mauc
her penniess cousin, but nature, tha
ever bountilIl mother, had besto ne,
her gifts with the greatest inIpartialitl
on both. Maud was the poor relation
uf the family, but unlike most poor re
lations, there was nothing of ia,
deprecating sycophant about her. Sh,
dared to have an opinion Of her own
and also to give il utterance. She Wa
not of the order OF pr1ise.bestowing
second. hand-clo,hes.wearing poor rela
tioBs, far from II.
"A pretty girl" said Scott,
"A pretty girl9' replied his friend
1.-TWO pretty girls. by Jove"
och, did not notice the other one!
(which is the other one?' inquire,
Erskine, in rather an amused tone.
"Why, the tall one, OF course"
Indeed. Well, the tail one is by lon
odds the hand, omest girl I've seen f0
many long day"
1t isuot strange that, after this con
yersation, the new arrivals should seeh
'or and obtain an introduction to Tia,
fair cousins, vino, by the way, were un.
douhtedly the bellies of the beach. Tn,
cgusintance soon ripened into friend
-hip. All tine former admirers Of tn,
,outg ladies now held aloft, for it wa,
aolse than useless TO attempt rivalry
Wilh his lordship. Mr.. Scott was no
&, I much account, but still he had been
near the rose.
What a pity that the lord fell In love
with tie heiress, and the other fellow
took n fancy 10 the poor girl" said Cuth
hert Dell one day to a number of his
friends as they stood around the piazza
enjoying Their cigarettes after breakfast
sLd the "earl's party" as they were be-
Ginning to be called, passed them OF
their wav 10 the shore, where sailboa
awaited them. "Why don't the lord fal
in love with little Maud. and the poor
but honest, tutor. or flunky, or whaIevel
he is, with the heiress?"
"That would certainly be more ro.
mantle" id one of his hearers.
"Ies; but you see how it is-Mis
Belle finds mature, IN My beauty, wheT
united with lo0g rent roll and title
siDeularly attractive. and little Maud a
o whole souled little party, who will
surely marv for love, though what sh,
sees Ia the little tutor | can not imag
ine.n
Tutor? Does a man OF that age-h,
must be iorty-tive, at least-require {