Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-06

One evening Harry was seated In
the parlor talking with Carrie, when u
trap halted at the door, and Jack asked
her to take a ride. Again, when Harry
requested her to take row on the
lake, she said she was very sorry, but
she had an engagement with-Jack>
"Miss Hervey, that Jack seems to
take up all of your spare time" ex-
claimed Harry.
Excuse me, Mr.. Sloane, not quite
all. 1 believe am at your service
when not otherwise engaged most of
the time"
And turning on his heel Harry would
leave Carrie. This soon became COM
mon, and finally Harry was determined
to end all by asking Carrie for her
hand.
"Miss Hervey, will you walk with
me along the riverside this EVENING""
asked Harry one evening after tea.
Ell don't know"
"Of course; it's another engagement.
No matter, I return to the city in the
morning." interrupted Harry.
"You are wrong, Mr.. Sloane; have
no other engagement. To prove it, l
will go to the river with you."
She put on her pretty, wide-brlmmed
Gainsborough and walked by his side
to the river
ut is pretty" she said, gazing out
upon the lake which reflected each
shining star and fleecy, floating cloud
upon it's mirror-like surface.
"Pretty! yes, beyond all others have
ever looked upon" Something in his
tones caused Carrie to look up quickly,
and she blushed as she found his eyes
gazing straight into hers. Carrie
l love you"
There, it was said. The die was
cast, and Harry's heart jumped up into
his throat.
"Mr. Sloane"
"There now, Carrie, don't Mr.. Sloane
me. Can you not call me Harry?"
Il might-that is, if 1 had known
you longer"
"You call that farmer-Jack."
"Oh, Jack and I were children to-
gether. That makes difference, you
see."
"Isuppose so. But, Carrie, tell me,
do you love me?" asked Harry, trying
to take her hand in his, a liberty which
she did not seem disposed to permit.
I-I-let us go back now, Mr.
Harry" said Carrie"
81 love you, Carrie. Will you not
give me just one small ray of hope?"
Ell don't know" responded she.
Harry seemed very much in earnest.
Jack had never, during all the years
of their association, spoken of love.
She, like other girls in common, had a
deal of admiration for a brave man.
And Harry Sloane seemed valiant
parsonage to Carrie, since he had dared
to tell her that he loved her.
"Who does know then?' asked
Harry.
T-cannot; please let's go back
home now," uttered Carrie.
"Shall we row the boat, the little
boat down there, up to the stream
which flows by the house?" said Harry
pointing to small boat near them.
"If you wish," said Carrie.
They got into the boat, and pushing
it from the shore, Harry piled the
oars. A silence fell upon them after
the boat had gone short distance.
They reached the turn of the water,
where the small stream poured its crys-
tai waters into lake. Harry turned
the boat around-horrorl the frail
affair struck against rock, and in
another instant they were both pre-
cipitated into the water. Harry, as he
went over, managed to grasp hold of
the boat, and Carrie, as good luck
would haue it, found herself seated
securely upon the rock.
"Miss Hervey," said Harry, tive are
in nice predicament."
"I'm wet through and through"
cried Carrie.
Strangely enough, the thorough wet
ting seemed to take all the romance out
of both. Here in the water, up to
their waists, Harry hanging on to the
shattered boat for dear life, and Carrie
seated upon the rock, some ten or more
yards from shore, all--all Affairs con-
nected with love were utterly vague to
them.
"ANhat shall we do?" said Carrie.
Harry did not reply. Swim he could
not, and he knew if he once lost his
hold he would go down, down to a