Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-06

him, !" he added, wrongfulIy interpret
ing the little flush that had risen in
Lily's face as she listened land he said,
too, that it was your sister who was to
be your companion. Else I should not
have come would not for the world
be q mar-sport."
The bitterness In his tone touched a
like chord in Lily's heart. For some
little time back she had been slowly but
surely learning lesson-the difference
between real worth and mere glitter
and now her heart sank as she saw, or
thought she saw, how completely her
conduct had driven all affection toward
her from Johns mind, and that she had
foolishly thrown away her own happi-
ness.
"Well, Holloway, I'm sure I'm much
obliged. It's very kind of you." was
Blake's reply.
And the two young pen soon had the
little craft in readiness for its fair freight.
Blake had seen Johns liking for Lily,
he knew by experience the power of his
dark eyes, and Lily Lawrence was like
any other young lady if she were ten
times prettier. So he reasoned,
They floated lightly over the blue
water, anchoring after while under q
bluff, and dropping their lines to fish,
Lily chatted gayly In her own fascinat-
ing Way. and never had she seemed
more lovely in Richard Blake's eyes,
while poor John, who had thought of
| late that he had driven her image from
his mind, felt the old charm creeping
over him again stronger than ever be.
fore but he hid his pain mapfplly, and
kept his part in the lively conversation.
Time crept on, and just as they decid-
ed on returning, to their dismay the
heavens suddenly clouded over, and q
peal of thunder brought them to their
feet in alarm. Squalls were not COM
mon upon the bay, but one was evident
ly now upon them, and John saw the
great danger. A moment and they were
dashing at mad rate over the waves,
while overhead the awful darkness
gathered more ominously all the while,
and every now and then vivid flashes Of
flame seemed to enyelop them on oil
sides.
Suddenly there was binding glare
then terrific flash, and half the mast
dropped over the bows. while the sails
were dragged into the ssething water
For an instant John was almost stun'
ned; then his first thought was Lily
l w AC1O was 6A0 "A 60COAu AAOAO civ
he caught the CLEAN of yellow curls in
the cruel waves among the tattered sails
the ropes had twisted about her light
figure and dragged her over the bow.
i He sprang to Blake's side.
''If she is to be yours, it is you who
ought to save her! Quick, or it will be
too late! Your chance will be gone ~
But Blake still covered tremblingly
where he was, unheeding the peril OF
the one he professed to love.
Il Another instant John was struggling
among the sails few seconds of awful
suspense while the waves were tuggine
savagely at him then, weak, almost
fainting, he crept back into the boat
with Lily's insensible form clasped
, close to his brave heart. He had saved
her!
Then, still in Imminent danger, they
remained clinging to the dismantled
boat, until, as suddenly as 1t had fallen
the squall lifted, and welcome hal
from the shore proclaimed that bel
was near at hand.
Lily came to herself at last, to find
that John was holding her fast, with
her face close to his own.
In an instant the memory of what had
passed came back to her. She did moi
draw away, but raised her lustrous eyes
to his as if to read his Utmost thoughts
then the cold cheek pressed itself closer
! against his own, while her arms wound
themselves softly around his neck.
"John-dear John !" was all she said
And John knew that with the great.
est peril the greatest blessing of his life
had come to him while Richard Blake
looking on with pale, scowling face
comprehended clearly that Johns wordf
had been prophetic when he had said
l"Your chance will be gomez