Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-12-13


own and came upon similar boating
party. Now and then We heard the bay
ing Of dogs, and knew that some poor
deer was IN distress. OF We saw IN IN
common bird, and listened 70 its wild
note; but for the most part, there were
few signs Of life of any kind, and the
silence was complete; the sense q loneli-
ness. intense.
What wonder, than, that Maud seemed
almost fairy-like TO ewes long unaccus-
toned to such beauty
As we came out upon RaQuette lake
We felt as If We were approaching civil
lization: cleaFings. with back shanties Or
more pretentiosis cottages occupied many
Of the points: and, bark what sound Is
thatg No heron's screams, or wild ducks
screech, but veritable steam WHISTLE
and, in the distance, we can just dis
tinguish little tug standing az the dock.
Presently, coming nearer, we had view
of the passengers, among whom. with
the September sun gliding her brown
hair, we first saw Maud.
say tive, for Toms subdued whistle
told me that his heart had been smitten
by this nut brown maid AS we'll as mine.
She was chattering merrily with her
brother and father, who stood close by.
We could hear their voices, and distin-
guish the names. Maud and Jack, by
which the brother and sister addressed
each other, but nothing more. Appar-
emily, however, they were talking Of US !;
for, the little tug having started just rs
we came alongside, our plucky lit e
guide determined on q race. The wiz !
was against him, but he held his own;
and, though the steamer passed ahead of
us into the narrow Marion river, the
cheer of the passengers showed that they
considered him victorious. while Maud
beamed upon him in way that made us
both wish that we held the oars.
She stood in the bow Of the little
steamer with the venerable woods behind
her; but their green branches and
shad0wy spaces were for me only
background to intensity the picture OF
her youth and beauty. With the sight
of her felt that ] had had enough of
loneliness, and longing came over me,
such as had sometimes felt in college,
when the soft tone Of woman's voice
reminded me of home.
AS we sped among the lily-pads, rich
naples wore, we had the good luck to
find several belated blossoms The tug
was making its way slowly, for the chan
mel was narrow and winding; and as we
were quite near, fancied that Maud
looked enviously at my treasures. Lift
ing my hat, tossed them at her feet.
She did not blush, she did not scorn-
fully cast them into the water, nor ask
her brother to throw them back to mes
she simply nodded her thanks with evil
dent delight, and, with the utmost grace,
she fastened the lovely lotus flowers in
her belt
Does this strike any one as bit Of
tiirtationl What man could keep a
flower with lady near on whom he
might bestow it, The lilies sought their
rightful owner, and / simply helped
them on their rightful way, while Tom
looked at the three he had gathered as
If unwilling to initiate me, and equally
unwilling to keep them. 1t was
shame to pick them, /" he said, and laid
them back upon the water.
The steamer now shot ahead and our
guide told US that its passengers would
carry across to Eagle lake, where an
other steamer would receive them, while
our carry was shorter one further up.
Tom and / both received the news I'M
willingly, for we could not bear 10 have
this bright vision vanish so soon. Should
we never again see Maud2 We looked
at each other, but said nothing.
When mt length we shot out into
Eagle lake, after the last OF our carries
there was no sign of any steamer; and,
IS we rowed on, the sun set and the
moon rose, but we we're still alone.
On Blue Mountain lake we heard the
steamers whistle once more, and in the
distance saw its column of smoke and
sparks IS It pulled off to another part Of
the shore. We felt like grumbling at
our choice of hotels, but il was now too
late to change; so, hungry, tired and
disappointed, we climbed the steep hill
side.
Our appetites did not fail rs, how
ever, chow could they in that air), and
after supper we walked up and down
the broad piazza, looking upon the
m0On-lighted lake and mountains with
. tinge Of sadness as we thought our
outing was 80 nearly over, and We mtised
upon the maiden whose beauty had
charmed Us.
Next morning we drove mile II the
early twilight in order to take the stage.
We found only one unengaged outside
seat, and Tom insisted on nv taking
that. Was he really generous, or did lie
have m intuilionl / asked myself, as
suddenly our acquaintance Of yesterday
came down the steps and entered the
stage Maud wore her lilies and mbdded
pleasantly a orr ewes met hlaf .ln f..a1r