Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-12-21

" Must we back out of the royal
presence when we retiref" says Molly,
michievously.
Hush" answers Peabody {; ~here
we are"
z A very riide old iady;S is Moity's
judgment, as she listens to the bland,
quiet voice purring away to Irma.
Presently she hears "Is this your
first visit to Bar Harbor, Mrs. Ran.
dolph? But how then-do tell me
did you know what happy hunting
ground it WASP"
Mrs. Randolph was a courageous
little woman, with very quick tenn
per. In an instant she scented q battle,
and in another was fully armed and
equipped. But l didn't she said,
with naive little laugh. "How do
you mean9 For what kind of game ?"
Gamer reioined the other, with a
sneering laugh. "Good parts, Of
course. hear that 50 far you've been
moderately successful
All the little group around were
silent. Molly alone did not take in the
meaning of her words. Peabody stood
looking, as some one said afterward,
as If he were going to murder her.
But what could he do? A man inter-
fere between two womenp 1t was i'm
possible. Mrs. Randolph was abso-
ldtely white with anger. The coarse
ness Of the attack stunned her for a
moment but only that.
Yes?" she said, with lazy, in
different laugh. "You flatter me, I'm
afraid. But you forget that Mr.. Ran
dolph still exists and Molly, you
know, is still a child-years and years,
l hope, before she will think of any
thing of that kind You wouldn't
lose your little Maria, would you, yet
awhile?'
With which she arose. "Ah, Mr..
Peabody, we were going sailing" she
said. 81 wonder if our boats ready
You are coming with US, as usual,
suppose? Goodbye, everybody" And
with bright smile she tripped down
the steps, followed by Molly and
Peabody.
Ashley went there was a low buzz, and
then Peabody heard his name, coupled
with Molly's, of course. After that
Mrs. Crosby's cat-like voice. @1nten-
tions?, Why none,- Of course"
He heard and 50 did Molly. But she
walked on, her head proudly erect, her
face blazing. Peabody dared not look
at her. Mrs. Randolph was so angry
that she felt absolutely i'll. She said
abruptly that she could not go boating;
they must 60 without her; and turned
back.
Peabody and Molly walked along in
profound silence. To this day Molly
can see distinctly the landing, and the
very plank on which they stood, while
looking around for the boatman; and
where, as the wind began to blow
fresher, her companion insisted on
putting over her her knit shawl. II
was about IL o'clock. The sun was
beating hotly down upon the planks
which sent out a faint odor Of tar-tc
this day Molly hates tar.
Peabody left her, to signal to one OF
the little birch canoes bobbing lazily
up and down in the water. Across
the waters Harvard men were singing
college songs, and their voices came
floating to her. Something, she didn't
know what, made the tears rise to he
eyes. How dreadful it all was. How
could she ever speak to Mr.. Peabody
again? just then Peabody came
toward her. "This way. Miss Molly,
he said, in just his usual voice. "Ou
canoe is here"
As he helped her into the canoe hi
caught sight Of her quivering lips, hel
fearful eyes. Don't" he whispered
my darling, if you do. 1 shall most
certainly kiss you; and think how dis.
graceful that would he
Molly ought to have been ver1
angry but she wasn't--not bit
Splash went the paddle. Peabody's
ideas Of the view must have beer
vague in the last extreme for Molly
heartlessly interposed her scarlet UNI
brella between herself and him, leaving
him to occupy himself with all kind,
of futile conjectures as to how sh,
was looking and what she was doing
behind it.
Thump, bang and they ran up o.
the little pebbly beach. At one sid,
was steep hill, thicIly wooded will
pine trees, whose aromatic Fragrance
came waited down to them on tn
crisp morning air. On the other wa
a jagged pile Of stern gray rocks, witt
hooks and crevices of delightful
shadow.
With the quickness Of long practice
Peabody at once selects the most com
Portable and the most accessible spot
As Molly was handed to the shore shl
had desperate feeling come over her
Escape she must. But how? Sh
stopped and looked back at the canoe
Peabody comprehended what was il