The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-18
A SUMMER. ROMANCE.

up. pretty girl stepped to the platform,
and man, holding book still open, fol-
lowed her These we're the only passengers
for st. Phillips; the whistle shrieked, and the
next moment the train was laundering away
beyond recall
This was the thought flashing on the man
who stood yet on the platform staring after,
though whether he would have recalled it, if
he could was question with him even then.
A bit dazed he turned and stared at the op-
posite mountain, at the houseless country all
around, then slowly hestepped over the track
into the one grass-grown road round which
the girl had disappeared.
He thought to close his book, and. with
smile which broadened almost to laugh, he
walked on down the lonely road. Whittier
would it lead hinl2 in what sort of place was
he doomed, at least to spend the night? For
he had never before stopped at ST. Philips;
he had in fact, never dreamed to stop there
now, or : yer; till that last little moment when
he left the train 80 suddenly, he had not
time even to close his magazine.
He walked on still smilingly. 1t did not
matter any way. True, he was bound for a
place far distant, and his luggage had gone
ahead; but he could follow on the morrow.
What mattered one night, even though he
must camp out in the wilderness? And per-
haps beyond he would find some very at
traetive spot where he would prefer to pass
his vacation; a trifie would bring the luggage
back, and so -
He strove to argue down the odd circum-
stance of his stopping at ST. Philips; he ad-
mitted no cause to quarrel with his impulse,
vet he inclined to all the same. Suddenly he
frowned a bit-as a man must-suddenly
realizing that be had made himself ridicu-
lous; stlll whether he would have recalled
the train was question with him even yet
That moment he looked ahead, and saw what
there was of St. Philips he had now come
upon.
A small, Struggling hamlet hugging closely
the base of the mountain which hung down
over 1T. picturesque place enough it
| looked in the evening sunlight; it would have
captivated an artists or poets soul at once;
but Howard Ralph was neither, and he only
walked prosaically up the first street, seeking
place to pass the night.
There was no sign of an inn anywhere he
could sea. He stopped to inquire of a man
he saw standing in doorway
limp the man answered, with laugh.
There never was an inn in St. Philips
street as 1 heard on. If you want to stop,
you can stop here; we make a business of
| taking boarders. You come from the train,
of course" he added leading the way into
| the little parlor. You must have walked
powerful slow; the young lady's been here
| five minutes and more"
''The young Lady,"
1.-THE young lady. yes. You saw her, no
| doubt; such face as hers wouldn't be likely
! to escape-well, 1 must say, such corre-
| spending chap as you. She's one of our
boarders reg lar; been here two years now"
The man glanced with an honest wistful,
dissatisfied look from the newcomer to his
magazine. Guess you don't mean to take
long board, though; you don't seem to have
much luggage. But perhaps you left it at
the station? The boys going right off for
the young lady's, and he can bring yours
too"
''Yes, but"
''Oh, see, you Just want to spend the
night? Odd, but OF course, you're welcome.
Perhaps tomorrow" he bent closer, and
ended in sly Whisper erhape, when you
come to see our young lady closer, you'll de-
eide to stay awhile"
Howard Ralph was man not easily en-
barrassed,. but he fairly writhed now under
the speakers innocent words and glances He
plunged into his answer right recklessly, al
belt it cost lie
1.-THE fact is-the fact is did not at all in
tend stopping at st. Phillips. My luggage
was checked for Brampton, but the-the ma
tural beauty of the place attracted me, and
| the fact is, l may like to stay here. What
attractions have your Fishing, boating, all
| that suppose of course?'
Its no object deceiving you stranger
! There isn't water enough to float boat in
ten miles of St, Phillips. All we have is
| the mountain"
"All the same, think I'll stay"
| He was not looking at his delighted host;
| he had turned, ere answering, at the sound
| of light step and ripping laugh in the
| hall without; he stood, now gazing at the
little figure tripping toward the roadway,
with the words Involuntary on his lips
He did not see it again that night; but once
| yet, while at supper be heard the ripping
laugh; once. taking after with his host on
the piazza; once, when the latter was leaving
him ct the door of his sleeping-room.
who is the young lady?' he asked, with
one of his own impulses.
She's Miss Herndon-Miss Marion Hern-
don. She's"
The man on the door-sill did not finish,
for he within had hastily set the lamp on the
| table and stood staring at him with an ex-
preston which caused him to retreat below
with the barrel -repressed opinion that the
young man with the magazine might prove
very good boarder, but he was afraid he
was little 'off"
Marion HerndonI'
Midway between gasp and an ejaculation,
Howard Ralph sank into the chair beside the
table and took out his cigarettes
1t was a coincidence truly II was not
strange that he should smoke mp the most
of them ere he could compose himself to
sleep.
A coincidence indeed! He began to realize
it in the morning. So far it had been a
dream. tumble; he had come almost to be-
lieve the very words he heard fancy of his
own. But the scrap he came in contact
with while dressing forced it down on him
truth. letter in his pocket ending thus:
Your obstinacy In regard to this girl exceeds
my comprehension. What possible objection is
there TO your making her acquaintance Be.
cause she has money would 1t be impossible for
you to fall III love with her, or, if you fit not
are you obliged to marry bert
have no patience with you, Howard. know
IL yoG once saw Marion HerDdon. you would fall
In love with her, and wanted yOu to have the
opportunity TO win charming wife and-a for
tune, all at once. But your chances are over
now; she goes Tomorrow, for the second time, to
that absurd place in the mountains to find hus.