Middletown transcript., 1881-08-12
A SUMMER ROMANCE.

mere spectator of the mimic scene
but to the two actors, surrounding
were lost sight of-they thought onl,
of themselves.
Mocking the moon-rays, when they
glanced upward, they could see on the
bank above them the twinkling light:
Of the villa and hear the merry voices
and gay laughter of the group from
which they had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between its
members as they had seen Sydney ALI
son and Bayard Hunter stroll off arm
in arm to where the 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-frst
from necessity, then from choice.
But, though her victims were count
less, 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. Therefore,
seeing these two brought beneath the
same roof, and thrown into daily inter
course, rumor was rife, and speculation
awaited results with bated breath.
Meantime, the little boat foated
calmly on the quiet surface of the lake.
miss Allison -
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 meet
ing 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.
g Miss Allison, . he repeated, slowly, |
"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 depth Of
the waters, only to see Luna's bril-
liancy 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 each other.''
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant
flushing Of blood to her cheek She
felt it glow, like a warm, crimson
rose, even while she raised her little
head almost deiantly, as though to
hurl challenge at his audacity.
Men had made love to her in many
forms, but always as suppliants. This
man dared suppose her in equal danger
with himself
!" You deal in enigmas, Mr.. Hunter,''
she returned haughtily. 81 am ac-
customed to plain speech. y
6 Rather say that plain speech is to
you an unknown tongue, and that am
the first man who has dared to speak
frankly. Would you have me more
open still ? You shall have your wish.
"A week longer under the same roof
with you, a week more of exposure to
your maddening destinations and my
ship would 60 to wreck aud ruin on
the bar unless" he leaned nearer,
his voice grew softer, more full Of
tender feeling, and his hand fell on
hers very lightly, 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, in 6
many climes, by many men, but naught }
had ever moved her as this wooing. on
this moonlight night in June. Yet q
this man dared tell her that in another
week this all might come to pass. I
Others had sworn to go from her $
to put an end to existence she ?
had rendered miserable; OF had vowed g
that henceforth woman's smile would ?
be gall and wormwood or pleaded that
she had shorn their manhood Of its \
strength, and rendered their life a p
burden. n
This one did none of these things.
While his strength yet was his, he saw +
md met the danger q
"a week hence" she said to herself, v
bitterly, and the flame might singe b
lin. He does not say c love you - p
: In time might love you.' i
Was he then to win SO easy a victoryP e.
Not SO. b
" Let us go home,'' she interrupted
With little shiver. 1T is growing b,
,hilly." "A
"Sydney, is this my answer ?'' n,
"Your answer % with an assump- ia
ion of surprise. 81 was not aware Of
my question. T
"You shall not even have this ex- ii
use. Will you be my wife P''
His voice was stern-stern to harsh So
ness and his grasp frightened on her
land. to
" You hurt me, Mr.. Hunter, . she by
complained, petulantly, making an
ffort to withdraw her fingers. hi
Instantly he released her.
/ see that l have hurt you, = he re- tn
urned, courteously, and took up the be
die oars. Pardon me, . he continued to
I will not do it ever again. p
A few bold strokes md tho bo4,