Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-16

them again.
'All right, old fellow, if you will
promise to take good care of them,
EIgin answered, with a quiet satistac-
ton at the latter part Of Holm's remark
When the ladies were invited by the
young man there was a hesitation on
the part of Anne that he did not fail 10
notice; but Mrs. Horst accepted with
thanks saying
Our dull town affords no amusement
all the year ronnd that Anne would
enjoy. This will be an agreeable diver
sion.'
Holm had secretly chartered the pref
ty steamer 80 that onlya certain num-
Der of passengers were allowed on
board, thus making the trip to the isr
lands very agreeable one, with the
exception of Anne's rather preoccupied
manner, which suddenly left her when
at the landing they were met by Elgin
who had started early and alone to
surprise them. The hours at the is
land were spent in galety. Holm dis
played a remarkable talent in all sorts
Of entertainments. In the afternoon
Elgln SAID 10 Anne:
There is a beautiful view to be had Of
the adjacent islands from Rocky Point.
If your mother is not too tired we will
row across and be we'll paid for our
lrouble.'
Il believe / will not attempt IT, said
Mrs. Horst; but Anne can 90, and |
will sit on the beach and watch you.
Holm instantly ordered camp chairs
and umbrellas, and they proceeded %
the beach, where Elgin aud Anne en-
tered skiA', and with gay gosd-byes
started for the point. The water was
swarming with little steam tugs that
we're busly engaged in carrying people
10 points OF interest, and it required a
skillful rowing to keep out Of their path
Elgin aud Anne were scarcely ten rods
from the shore, whenAhe watchers on
the beach saw 10 their horror that a
tug was bearing directly down on them.
Elgin saw the danger too late to avoid it g,
and seizing his companion by the arm,
shouted 'Jump!' and the next moment
they were hounderlng in the water,
while their skiff disappeared under the
black hull of the tug. Help was in"
stanuy at hand, and soon Aune was in
the arms Of her half fainting mother,
laughing and reasshriug her. Holm
had instantly. with gentle torethoughL
sent word TO the hotel for dry clothes
and hot drinks, and soon The party was
comfortably seated in the parlor OF the
Island House, Elgln and Anne in the
clothes of some oblglng summer guests
But feeling OF constraint had settled
on the pleasure seekers which R llph's
happlest jokes could not dlspel, and
each felt a secret relief when the steam
er VIII istle called them on board.
Late that night Holm entered Pierce
Elgin's room and abruptly asked
'Elgln, do you love Anne Horst"
A moment the two men eyed each
other with fierce looks; then Eldin aus
wered coldly:
i do not think l love you on account
of my feelings
VERY we'll, from this nswer assume
that you do not love her. l do, and
to -morrox l will offer my hand and
fortune. 4 man must be weak trifleI
or a fool who wi hesitate TO make
such a girl his wife If be has the chance
Good night aud without waiting for
an answer he left the room.
Elgin was alone. With white face
and set lips, he said aloud
The impudent fellow! How dare he
have the effrontery ? She is mine,
know she is niue, even though l sh ould
never ask her. She will not be yours
Ralph Holm. nor any other mans, but
only my own, own anne, and a feeln c
of exultation filed his breast. Thai
day, in their hour of dan ger, he had
realized what Anne was 10 him, and
had determined TO make her his own as
soon as possible. Toward noon Of the
next day he mot Ralph coming up the
hotel steps. He held out his hand with
a sad smile.
Goodbye, Pierce, Pm off for Eu'
rope. You know what that means
When you and Anne are happy, think,
of me sometimes
That evening Anne received her sec'
ond offer, and when Elgin left West-
wood week later it was with the de
termination that Annie, his wife should
never regret having refused million
air, and seeking political, appointment
he soon received a lucrative positi on
in the custom house at n. Friends
were surprised and disappointed at the
close Of his artistic career, but Elgln
shut his thoughts 10 everything except
his wife aud money making. The grea
painting which had been his dream ioI
years was turned on its easel, and
Pierce pursuaded himself that he was
doing his duty. Annie was all be haC
expected the light Of his home, fol
whom he would haYe thought a worlC
we'll lost. But sometimes he detected
a shadow on her face, aud the harass
lug thought would come, 1T is Holm
and bis millions y He felt ashamed o
the unworthy thought, yet 1t would re-
turn to yex him, and tonight as he
neared his home, from which the cheer
ful light was streaming like a beacon
he said bitterly: she will regret her
folly now
| Aunie was leaning on The gale, walt