Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-05-08

equally short notice. if thereby he might
discover an elderly aunt with money.
Seagate was looking glorious, and the
gayety of the place and people, the
freshness of the air, and the brilliant
cOlcring of the sea and sky, made Hon.
Herbert feel very young and delight
full" He resolved to lunch at a Testau
rant, then turn on the promenade. and
smoke cigar on the pier before going to
the Ciairville. He fancied that he would
then be refreshed, and so better able to
enter thoroughly into the role of dutiful
nephew, which he proposed to play.
He lunched well, lit his cigar, and
started in search of half an hours recrea-
tion. He did not go far before he found
what he was in search of; he met with
lady so surprising to look at that the
mere sight of her recreated him. He
proceeded to stare steadily at her and to
take notice of all her points carefully.
She was little creature, well formed,
with pretty feet and hands; the feet clad
in wOnGrouS high-heeled bonts that were
very high, but did not meet at all in
front; the lacing displayed crimson open
worked silk stockings. The little figure,
wasp-waisted, was dressed in the most
eXtravagant checks-the sort of costume
devised by the Partisan intellect for En-
glish women who are fond of dress A
mass of blonded and frIZZed hair encir-
cled snail face which was admirabl,
well painted; only the usual mistake was
made-the thing was overdone, and thus
the possibility of deception destroyed
This lady's nat and parasol each deserve
a page of description, they were so sur
prising The whole thing asto-ishrd
and deliahted Hon. Herberr. This young
gentleman had gool deal of the knight
of the pavement IN him. Ii pretty
girl ga, him Il glance of encouragement
he WAS capable of walking after her quite
mile in hope of adveatur-. The rady
he now saw before him had 'enrot rage
menJ written in large charac ers all over
her, thanks 10 her costume. and her
pIaintive blue eyes repeated the WORT.
She stood quite alone by the rail at the
edge of the sea walk looking at the pass
eIS uy. Size son became us much inter-
ested in Hel bert as he was in her. She
slowly walked toward the pier and went
on to 1t. Hon. II rbert follow ed her,
passed and repassed her.
At the end uf the pier there were some
sheltered. secluded seats. The lady walk
ed on TO these SloNly-fOr no one could
walk fast in such boots as hers chose
one with much deliberatiGn. sat down,
and straightway dropped her parasOl. OF
course Herbert was at hand to pick it up.
Then he sat down by her, and for half
an hour they looked at the blue sea and
talked. She amused him very much. She
never smiled. but said the most spicy and
piquaDt things in small. high pitched
voice, looking straight at him the while.
Herbert knew very well how to look ad-
miration, and be found that she under
stood the look perfectly, but also that she
appreciated little more fiattery. This
made it vely plain sailing, and Herbert
found himself much less bored than usu-
al during a firtatation. The little lady
being so excessively pronounced, it was
difficult to feel bored until one had seen
all her extravagances.
At last he rose, 81 must CO." he said;
sit is hard. but must. Do you come on
the pier in the evening"
YES" she answered Immediately,
about ten o'clock"
Then l shall stay in Seagate till to-
morrow" said Herbert, gallantly, and
left her.
Then assuming business like manner,
he walked off toward Clairville, medita-
ting all the way on the mode in which
he should address his aunt. After turn
ing tue matter over in his mind he re
solved to trust to the inspiration of the
moment, and to follow her lead very
carefully till he knew how to humor her.
On his way a hired carriage passed
him; in it sat the little lady whom he
fully intended to meet upon the pier to-
night. She gave him a glance from un-
der her wonderful parasol; such look
seductive full of invitation.
81 believe she is old as the hills" re-
flected Herbert, but she is marvelousiy
made up and very funny. What a catas-
trophe if she should live at the Clair
yille!"
He arrived at the hotel-a fine house,
standing in pretty grounds. and tenanted
principally by the people who lived on
pension; people who seemed to have no
homes of their own anywhere; who were
exceedingly sOclable and very merry. On
the broad terrace. upon which the front
door opened, number of people were
talking and laughing; the hour of after
noon tea had brought him t. the house.
In the midst of a small crowd of gehtle
men stood the little lady; evidently shr
was a favorite. Herbert quickly passed
the group, looking the other wa, the
white. He entered the hall, and. finding
a waiter. asked for ohe Princess DR. gucI.
He was shown into a Small d!aming-
room.
Two minutes later the little lady came
in and looked at him With some surprise.
'You have asked for me?' she said; you
know my namel'
The awful truth flashed upon him
For one Wild moment he thought of
sinking his identity and of escaping
without telling her who he was. But he
had no time to think it out-he was con-
fused, stammered something and then,
in despair, handed her his mothers not-.
She opened it deliberately, read it at
glance, and threw it carelsssly on the ta-
BILE. He fancied his doom was sealed;
took up his hat and prepared to go. But
he felt he owed it to himself to apollo
gize; and he did so, profusely.
She interrupted him with her slight
shrill voice, looking straight at him With
those plalntive blue eyes. which were so
full of candid hunger for admiration.
What are you apOlogizing so much
for?" she said. Its the first complement
your family has ever paid me! Come in
to the other room; must have sou.e tea"
She put her hand on his arm and led
him away. For the first time in his life
Herbert was at a loss what TO say or
what to do. But at last he succeeded in
taking her cue; it seemed funny to tiirt
with ones aunt, but he did it.
And she paid his debts. Probably she
will leave him her mOney.-London
World.
A Miracle.