The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-08-24
A sUMlIER ROMANCE.

An idle boat, With idle oars, float.
ing idly down with'the chrrsnt Of a
calm, smooth lake, on whose placid
breast the moonlight played at will.
Such the picture, hadlcne been a
mere spectator to the pimic scenes;
but to the two actors, sur5oundings
were lost to sight of--they thought
only of themselves.
Mocking the moon-rays, when they
glanced. upward, they could see, on
the bank above them the twinkling
lights of the villa and hear the mer-
ry voices and gay laughter Of the
group from which they had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between
its members as they had seen Sydney
Allison and Bayard Hunter stroll %
arm IN afmto where tho little boat
was moored.
The women had almost ceased to
be jealous of Sydney, or to ask where
lay her charm. When she exercised
her fascination men bowed before her
first from necessity, then from
choice.
But, though her victims were
countless, she was twenty.three, and
Sydney 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, Bayard
Hunter was among women. There.
fore, seeing these two brought be.
meath the same roof, and throwninto
daily intercourse, rumor was rife, and
speculation awaited results with
bated breath. Meantime, the little
boat floated calmly on the quiet sur
face of the lake.
"Miss Allisonl"
1t was the first word either had
spoken in full FIVE minutes.
She glanced up at the speaker
The white lace thrown carelessly
upon her dark hair, out from which
peered 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 questioning
look into Mr.. Hunters face.
"Miss Allison" be repeated, slow.
ly, "did you know that we were in
dangers'' ''- 'a'si
"In danger2"
Her cheek grew a shade paler.-
She glanced up at the blue vault
where sailed SO majestically the God.
dess of Night-down into the dark
depth of the waters, only to see Lu-
mas brilliancy reflected there
around about her. Not a leaAet
stirred.
"No," he said, in answer to her
look, "not from any of these. The
moon, the wind, the water, all our
friends tonight. We are in danger
from each other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon
might fail to make apparent the in.
slant flushing of blood to her cheekl
She felt it glow, like a warm, Grim.
son rose, even while she raised her
little head almost de6antly, as though
to hurl u challenge at hisaudacity.
Men had made love to her in many
forms, but always as applicants
This man dared suppose herin equal
danger with himself
"You deal in enigmas, Mr.. Hun
ter" she returned haughtily. ~ am
accustomed to plain speech"
"Rather say that plain speech is to
you an unknown tongue, and that l
am the first man who has dared
speak frankly. Would you have me
more open still2 You shall have
your wish. A week longer under
the same roof with you, a week more
of exposure to your maddening fas.
cinations and my ship would go to
wreck and ruin on the bar; unless"
he leaned nearer, his voice grew
softer, more full of tender feeling,
and his hand fell on hers very light
ly, but with caressing grace, "unless,
Sydney, you would let it float your
pennon and guide it into the safe
harbor of your love-"
She had been wooed many times,