The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
A SUMMER ROMANCE.

ing idly down with the current OF a
calm, smooth lake, on whose placid,
breast the moonlight played at Will
Such the picture, had one been a
mere spectator to the mimic scene;
but to the two actors. surroundings
were lost sight of-they thought
only of themselves.
Mocking the moon rays, when
they glanced upward, they could
see en- the bank above them the
twinkling lights of the villa and
hear the merry voicesand gay laugh
ter of the group from which they
had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between
its members as they had seen Sid
ncy Allison and Bayard Hunter
stroll off arm in arm to where the
little boat was noored.
The women had almost ceased to
be Jealous of Sidney, or TO ask where
Law her charm. When she exercls-
ed her fascination men bowed be-
fore her-frst from necessity, then
from choice.
But, though her victims were
countless, she was twcnty-three, and
Sidney Allison still. However, this
time She had encountered (the little
girl at Mrs. Graham's villa said a
foeman worthy of her steel.
What she was among men, Bay
ard Hunter was among women.
Therefore, seeing these two brought
beneath the same roof, and thrown
into daily intercourse, rumor was
rife, and speculation awaited results
with bated breath. Meantime, the
little boat fioated calmly on the
quiet surface of the lake.
Miss Allisonw
1t was the first word either had
spoken in full five minutes.
She glanced up at the speaker.
The white lace thrown careless upon
her dark hair, out from which peer
ed the beautiful, pale face, lent her
some of the moons mystic charm !;
but meeting the magnetic gaze OF
the dark, earnest eyes bent upon
her. hers fell for an instant; then as
though ashamed of the momentary
weakness, again shot a questioning
look into Mr.. Hunters face.
Miss Allison" he repeated, slow
ly, "did you know that We were in
danger?"
"In danger?"
Her cheek grew shade paler
She glanced up at the blue vault
where sailed so majestically the
Goddess of Night-down into the
dark depths of the waters, only to
see Luna's brilliancy reflected there
around, about her. Not leaflet
stirred.
"No," he said, in answer TO her
look, mot from any of these. The
moon, the wind, the water, all are
our friends tonight. We are in
danger from other things"
Oh, how she prayed the moon
might fail to make apparant the in
slant flushing of blood to her cheek
She felt it glow, like a warm, Grim
son rose, even while she raised her
little head almost defiantly, as
though to hurl a challenge at his
audacity.
Men had made love to her in
many forms, but always as suppli-
cants. This man dared suppose her
in equal danger with himself!
"You deal in enigmas, Mr.. Hun
ter" she returned haughtily. Il
am accustomed to plain speech"
Rather say that plain speech is
an unknown tongue, and that | am
the first man who has dared speak
frankly. Would you have me more
open still? You shall have your
wish. A week longer under the
same roof with you, week more of
exposure to your maddened fascin-
alton and my ship would go to
wreck and ruin on the bar; unless
-" he leaned nearer, his voice
grew softer, more full offender feel
ing, and his hand fell on hers very
lightly, but with caressing grace,
unless, Sidney, you would let it
float your pennon and guide it into
the safe harbor of your love"
She had been wooed many times,
in MANY climes, by many men, but
naught had ever moved her as this
wooing, on this moonlight night in
June. Yet this man dared tell her
that in another week this all might
come to pass.
Others had sworn TO go from her
presence TO put an end to the exist
ence she had rendered miserable /;
or had vowed that henceforth wo-
mans smile would be gall and
wormwood; or pleaded that she
had shorn their manhood of its
strength, and rendered their life a
burden.
This one did none of these things,
While his strength yet was his, he
saw and met the danger.
"a week hence she said to her.
self bitterly. ''and the flame might
singe him. Now his wings are all
unscortched. He does not say II
love your In time might love
YOU"
Was he then to win so easy a vic
tory? Not so.
LET us go home" she interrupt
ed, with a little shiver "ltis grow
ing chilly.
Sidney, is this my answer ?'
"Iour answer" with an assump-
ton of surprise. | was not aware OF
any question"
"You shall not even have this
excuse. VIII you be my wife?''
His voice was stern now-stern to
harshness-and his grasp lighted on
her hand.
You hurt me, Mr.. Huntet," she
complained, petulantly, making an
effort TO withdraw her fingers.