The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-10


sigh through parted lips. A girl in o
large hat, with face as delicate as a
flower, who can sigh 80 prettily and
gaze at the horizon through smiling
eyes, is very good company even for her
father. So Mr.. Grannis thumped along
with much satisfaction. The wind grew
fresher as they walked, and the pathetic
young man faded away behind their
backs.
After following the beach half mile
they left il and turned into a path which
wound among rocks. Beyond the
rocks and sandy intervening belt was
piece of woodland that Miss Grannis
and her father had explored before and
found to their liking. Not to wander
in woods, however, do maids adorn
themselves in Gainsborough hats and
high -heeled boots. This was the walk
all the hotel world took when not in
clined to go on wheels. There were
benches under the trees. A cream
tinted parasol was apparently resting
itself on one of these seats, while q
pair of trousered sn1ns ana sweep OF
silk appeared below it.
But Miss Grannis scarcely let her
eyes rest on this or any other enchanted
couple dotting the vista. She indi-
Gated to her father an artists umbrella,
and plump, blonde girl sketching un-
der it.
"There she is, pa. She doesn't
seem to notice who comes or goes, or
o care if they look at her."
"Her minds fixed on her business"
said Mr.. Grannis, with appreciative en-
phasis.
The sketcher greeted them, however,
md spoke as if pleased to see them
they had picked up acquaintance with
uer during their weeks stay. She did
not come from the hotels, but boarded
e farmers. Her thick light hair
1ung in two braids below her waist.
She was very pretty, very dimpled
about the wrists and firger roots, and
ressed in Quaker colors with almost
Quaker plainness.
She had small camp. stool beside
ner, to which she smilingly motioned d
Mis- Grannis. Mr.. Giannls sat down
bench near by, made number OF
polite observations, placed his hands on
he top of his cane, and began to nod.
You're going to sleep, pa" eau
oned his daughter.
am enjoying the view, Fanny"
aid the old merchant, decidedly. "I
lHays like to mediate while l am en-
,Slng the vlew."
Miss Grannis smiled at the near land
cape Of rocks piled up before the sea
.ut out of tn 8, threading the familiar
ath, came the pathetic young man. BE
ad right 10 be walking there. But
~ fact of his following SO closely her
2wn arrival made her start.
Inc artist notIct this, and looked at
he young man coolly and with an un
ioved aspect. He passed near them,
.ancing their way, and went on among
ue trees.
"Did you notice that gentleman's ex-
ression ?" inquired Miss Grannis of her
'mpanior."
do you? p said the artist?'
eyes. He stops at our hotel. l
hiLk he has the saddest face-as if his
ie were blighted, or something"
"Maybe he has blighted somebody
lse's life," said the artist.
"I wor der how?' mused Miss Gran
ais.
"You seem interested in him."
"Not bit," exclaimed the young
adg. "He has never been introduced.
don't even know his name"
81 can tell you what it is" said the
,rtist, changing her pencil. cts the
,aine as mine, He is my husbend."
Mrs. Granger! !" The young lady
,ave such start that she was near up.
citing the umbrella, but saved herself
his awkwardness, which would have
Oained her more than anything per-
aiming to the pathetic young man. 81
hought you were q widow"
Il ana divorced widow. It is not
oecess sary to blazon the fact"
"Aud why" hinted Miss Grannis.
She felt unwarranted to make inquiries
and glanced back at her father, whose
brow was sunk to his cane But this
shattered romance fascinated her.
Didn't you love him?'
The blonde face put on a cynical
sneer which lifted the nostrils an in
slant; but this died away, as if it found
the wholesome, sweet muscles unapt for
It's use. Mrs Granger smiled, sketching
with steady hand.
"Oh, yes, loved him But couldn't
eat love. II was very light diet. l have
some solid Dutch blood"
"Didn't he give you enough to eat ?"
questioned Miss Grannis. with widening
eyes.
"You have evidently been foraged
for all your life," said the artist. "And
You can't see the danger which turks in
such beings as our pathetic young man.
But let me tell you, if man ever comes
courting you in a minor key, don't you
have him. If he calls himself black
sheep, value him accordingly he ought
to know what he is. And if he tells
you he looks into the future and sees
nothing but darkness, keep out of his
darkness let him enjoy it himself.
He'll have good enough time. There
is worthlessness in some men worse
than positive bad habits. They lack
all the points which go to make success.
All they can do in the race of life is to
nap at the heels OF people who do win.
Their companionship wears the soul
threadbare. They have no faiths, no
hopes, and if any energy, it is of that
shabby kind that is without the nerve
to vault over difficulties. The exhilara.
tion of life is lever enjoyed near such q
person. he crushes you-this pathetic
young man."
"Oh, my p said Miss Grannis, mean.
ing to indicate that such views of mas,
culine nature were distressing to her,
and that her experience was far from
preparing her for them. "But
thought when two people were very
4, Il fn1 fn oh Akh