The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-11
OUT on THE LAKE.

mouth nj 1Or queen llUdulu--WHlte
brow. on which clustered rings of gold (,
in a fascination of disorder--a cheek ex-
quisitively fair, with tint upon it Of the
sea shell-two little, soft, helpless hands
two little, slippered feet, and you have
the picture before Roydon Towards
gaze, and the inventory successfully dot
ted down by him in his mental dairy.
lawfully pretty" was the verdict rem
dered, absolutely good for nothing else.
All, if life were all summer such women
would make perfect good wives"
An audible sigh followed the latter
thought of this most grave philosopher;
o sigh so deep, so profound, that it start
ed the girl from her reverie.
ga penny for your thoughts, Major"
she said in a low, musical tone.
The voice suited her, it was like all
else about Fay Richings-in perfect at
tune.
"You bid too low" answered the man !;
''and yet too high, since you ask upon a
subject of whose reply you must be con-
scious. You forget that, spending the
last hour in your society, my thoughts
could not wander far"
"But you sigh. Must I hold myself
responsible for the sigh, too?'
II fear so-in remembering that my
furlough is rapidly slipping away, and
that within month must join my regi-
ment on the plains, leaving my charm
ing companion of this morning. Do you
still bid penny to inquire into thing
SO deep as sigh?'
The color deepened little on the
beautiful cheek.
''His charming companion of the
morning." This was how he regarded
her-this man, whose brave deeds had
preceded him, until, before meeting, had
assigned him something akin to hero
worship.
A little. sharp stab of pain shot
through her herrt. but she smiled
bravely.
''All that is scarcely worth sigh from
you," she said. st is never those who
20 amid new scenes who feel most keenly
the parting, but rather those who are left
behind, amid the old, familiar surround
ings, and say, Yesterday he sat here, or
Yesterday we heard his laugh or per-
chance find glove that he has dropped,
or O cigar half smoked-to them it is
something felt, something tangible.
"Do you think so? Does the sand
sigh for the retreating wave when al
ready one coming ella; IS its welcome?
I should be glad to feel that Miss Fay
sometimes gave me thought among the
new aspirants for the hour she has some
times bestowed on me. A soldiers life
has many charms, spite of his hardships,
and there is some fascination, spite of its
pain, in the long, solitary musing he
holds sitting at the door of his tent,
when, instead of the plain stretching be-
fore him, he views the mental panorama
of his past I'm afraid mine will con-
fine itself to one figure. Can you guess
whose, Miss Fay?"
There was an instant's pause-an in
slant when something stirred withinn
Roydon Towards heart, prompting the
impulse to cry out: "Who but yours?
Make imagination reality! Come with
me- Share a soldiers life and let our
mutual love smooth the rough placesr'
But scarcely was it born than he
strangled it. He had no reason to think
that this girl cared for him; but even so,
at best it was but passing fancy.
And in time of real danger where
would she be? How would she fit him
to ride forth to meet foe? Either with
historical weeping or swoon. No, no!
mere uuutf the green tIeeS, III JAIL
room, at the head of luxurious dinner
table, such women were charming
enough to turn mans brain; but in
moments Of peril, when death no longer
clothed in the poets rythm, stalked be-
fore them bare and ungainly, it was little
wonder that they fed shrieking from his
grim presence.
Therefore the pause lasted an instan,
only, then Roydon answered his OWL
question with laugh.
81 declare l am almost growing senti'
mental. Ii in anybody's presence but
yours, Miss Fay, should apologize fol-
SO unwonted a mood. But you are re-
sponsible for il, and it must be with you
so old story to inspire it that / will MOI
waste the words. By the way there i,
my house. / had no idea it was late
An revoirl Remember, have the frs
and last waltzes this evening"
The girl stood motionless, watching
him as he strobe away watching hin
vault upon his horse, his tall, superb
figure showing to such splendid advan
tage, watching horse and rider as the,
cantered out of sight, the latter turning
first to give farewell salute with hi
whip.
80, in a month, will he ride out O
my life" she murmured to herself will
white lips. ooh, Roydon, is it that yo,
are too proud to ask me to share tn,