Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-16
MY MTSHAP.
A TRUE STORY OF THE RHINE.

hih Sbu lhtai W say you IL SWIM
down the Rhine to the picnic?"
"Yes, Miss Carrie; every inch of
the way. I'll start from the baths.
send my clothes on by cart, and meet
you when you arrive in the carriage" "
well, if you do. Mr.. Beecher, you
shall sit next me at the lunch as a re-
ward. What do you think Of that =?
But be careful. and don't run any
risks; the current. you know, is very
strong in some places"
Whats this, Miss Carrie ?" said l,
joining in the conversation. "Is
Beecher going to swim down to-mor-
row ?"
Yes. he says so. but don't think
he can manage it."
Well, if he can, can. and to prove
it I'll swim with him"
The fact was | was very jealous Of
Beecher; and, being a good swimmer
myself. was determined not to be
outdcne. But, in order to explain the
state of my feelings I must go back a
little.
was staying as n guest with my
uncle and aunt ut c. on the Rhine.
They had come for months holiday
and, having no children Of their own,
had asked me TO accompany them, an
invitation which l very readily ac-
cepted, more especially as they had an
other guest in the person Of Miss Car.
rie Danvers, the daughter Of one Of
their oldest friends. | had before met
Miss Danvers ut their house, and on
that occasion she had made " her mark
on my heart" and now, in the month
we were to spend in each others so
ciety. calculated on being able to re-
turn the compliment: and hoped. ere
! again saw England, to have obtained
her consent 10 become. at no very dis
tant period, Mrs. McGrath, an ar
rangement which | felt sure would
please my relations.
For the first fortnight Of our stay at
c. everything went happily and
smoothly. and congratulated myself
on the progress was making But,
unfortunately for me, while we went
walking in the Kursaal gardens ono
evening after dinner we came across
the Beecher family. neighbors Of my
uncle in England, and who, finding
him at C. and who being charmed
with the place, determined TO make
stay there also. liked all the family
except the eldest son, Jack-in the
Guards. Under other circumstances
1 doubtless should have liked him
but just now he was in the way, very
much in the way. lie. too. was an ac-
quaintance of Miss Carrie, and at times
felt inclined to believe something
more than an acquaintance. As have
stated above, / was jealous Of him
and that is the long and short of this
little business.
Since he had arrived I had not
Miss Carrie to myself as formerly /;
Jack Beecher shared in our walks and
conversations to an extent did not
approve Of. but | am bound to admit
his presence appeared TO give the
young lady considerable pleasure, and
this made my pain all the more keen.
Some days previous to the evening
on which have introduced myself and
friends to the readers. picnic had
been settled on at M. charming
spot on the Rhine. some four miles be-
low c.. The Beechers were all
coming and some other English folk
whose acquaintance we had made
during our stay. together with two or
lhree German officers stationed at c..
The excursion promised to be a very
delightful one, and fine weather was
All that was required to make the trip
delightful. II had been arranged that
", should drive down to M. starting
nj II o'clock, and We were now dis
cu.s'ng the final arrangements and
se,t ng who was TO be responsible for