Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-08-25

fell to musing; and she was Just on thu
borders of Sunderland when voices
aroused her. She had not been awar.
of her proximity to one of her "Aunt
Jerome's Lakes" but, in fact, among
the evergreens not twenty feet away
lay one of the deepest and most seclu
ded of the pretty sheets of water which
gave its name to the fine old estate
And, evidently, some one was robbine
it of fish.
Diamondsl I should say so r. .ex
claimed one of the voices, energetically
But, then, it shows the old mans
sense to invest in those. You see, dia
monds can always be disposed of to ad
vantage. just take them out of thei,
setting and there is nothing to betray
their former owner, or that they have
been used, and you can get full value
for them"
'"That's fact I'd rather-By Jove
there's fish for you'll What fun this
ISL"
"Poachers !" thought Miss Grancy,
"Fll walk back. 1t must be neal
archery time"
But there was not much excitement
in archery that afternoon. The fail
contestants had no audience. Presently
two carriages full of new guests rolled
up to the great porch, and Adella and
Miss Short threw down their bows
Ervine Put few more arrows in the
gold, without half-trying, and then com
menced to gather together her equip
ments.
"Why stop so soon, Miss Grancy p
asked Mr.. Ingraham, making his ap
pearance.
Because 1 am tired of it, and it il
time to dress for dinner. You know
that there has been quite an accession
of guests ?"
Eyes; the carriages passed me as
caTne in the park gates. L had beer
down to the village. I have friend
stopping at the hotel there"
Yes?" said Miss Grancy, indifer
emily, as they reached the rose terrace
at the LEFT of the old mansion, and broke
off spray of blood-colored roses and
disappeared, humming gay little tune
It was unusually gay at jerome Lakes
that night. The summer season was
fairly inaugurated. The great dancing
parlor was thrown open, lanterns
CLEANED among the shrubbery and tive
musicians played delicious music on the
balcony.
Ervine waltzed to her hearts content
and to every mans delight. There was
not such a dancer in the room.
"MayI have this waltz, Miss Grancy?'
queried Ingraham, long before any one
had dreamed of saying goodnight. 81
am retiring eaily."
81 am sorry, but it is promised
Goodnight; )" and in moment more
she was whirling away in the arms'of 8
very dark young man who was to al
appearances deeply enamored of her.
Ingraham walked away.
Evidently she doesn't careI" hi
said.
1t was nearly twelve when the guests
separated for the night.
"Oh, 1 wish it wasn't all over r
Ervine sighed, stepping out upon {
balcony that opened on the rose-terrace
and was empowered in fragrant masses
of bloom. "But it must bel I mus
go r.
One by one doors closed, and little By
little the stiffness of midnight came on
The moon shone Whitley on the silen1
park and the open rose-terrace, with its
silvery fountain and dew-laden flowers
The soft July breeze blew the damp
rayishing odors against the girls wist
full, resolute face. The leaves whis
pered enticingly, and the soft, swee
voices of the night made restful music
A servant came into the great parlor
back of Ervine, and put out the flaming
lights and closed the windows.
Leave this, just few minutes
John," she begged, smiling, as he cam,
to her balcony. am going ava.
from here tomorrow and / want few
minutes more of the roses and the moon
light. I will fasten the window ant
bar the shutters
Very well, Miss Ervine," he re
sponded, respectfully and kindly.
When he was gone the girl drew .
great chair near the window and threY
herself into it, where she could see th.
moonlight and the waving tree-tops
and yet be partially screened from th'
cool, dewy air. Lying there and plan
ming her future she fell asleep.
When she awakened she could no
tell how long she had been unconscious
but there was no moon; the room wa
trembling and her heart was throbE;ns
violentlv
She drew herself mn and fried +,
think. and then q sndden faint sof
sound bronoht her swiffl ' 10 her senses
some one was IN tbe room-some on,
had coma IN # tha oYaned window ba,
nasaed , her IN tba darknass mes, withont rar e0.
ceiv;nc her and was oron;ng wa,
across the narIor
She grew calm at once. Il was
burglar, of course; but the house wa
full of people, and she had but to le
him 60 his way and then steal softl,
after and arouse some one. he coul;i
NOT do anv harm. and he shonld no