West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-03
MRS. TOM HARDING.


ford, stopping ut Martha's Vineyard
and Nantucket, swept gayly out of the
harbor Two young women i'm simple
travelling costume sat on the deck and
looked down on the many-shaded green
waters below Miss Morgan and Miss
Ford. The latter was tall, dignitied
and blonde, and three years the senior
of the petite, dark-eyed friend at her
side. 1t was she who spoke. with lust
tritle of annoyance in her voice:
Its too absurd, Amy. You can
never carry out sucn n plan; you will
get into all kinds of scrapes and tell so
many fibs."
Miss Morgan, coolly-"What are fibs
in good cause, my dear? You will see
1t will be the simplest thing in the
world, and do so want to see life from
married standpoint
Miss Ford-''Then tOhy didn't you
marry? I'm sure there was Harry
Thorndvke p"
Miss Morgan, with ferceness-" BEL,
II YOU ever allude TO that again"
IL won't, dear said her friend.
soothingly, but since you didn't mar
ny | can't see why"
That's jus. it." answered Miss
Morgan, eagerly; ''if | had married |
should wish to appear single Come.
Bel, I'll chaperone you beautifully. Let
dcar?''
Miss Ford, with when
do You not have your own way. AMY?
But you'll repent it, and shan't have
me moments peace"
Repent IT'D Never! Now for n
name. Mrs-Mrs- What is my hus-
bands name. Bel?"
II decline all acquaintance with
myths"
Miss Morgan, after some thought
al have it now Bel. dear, let me pre-
sent you TO Mrs Harding, Mrs. Tom
Harding, of Nashville. Nashville is a
good tar-on place, you know
Miss Ford tried TO frown. but laughed
instead and bowed Nov. Mrs.
Harding she said, perhaps YOU
will find time TO look at this charming
scenery" and they fell TO talking OF
the beauty of the waves and the white
sailed vessels outlined against the dis
tant horizon.
They sat slightly apart from the
crowd OF fellow-passengers, and, alb
sorbed in their talk, did not note n sim
gle listener, who stole guilty away as
the steamer neared the VINEYARD. The
y
comely, with laughing blue eyes and
fine. clear-cut features He wore a
suit of wcll-titting gray, and carried i'm
his hand a travelling satchel neatly let
tered 1T. H. His face betokcned n
Httle perpleNlty and much amusement.
as he sauntered TO another part of the
deck, and devoted himself to the pages
oil Nantucket guide. He glanced
now and then at the young women
VINO had so unwittingly bestowed upon
him their confidence, and, as he did so.
he smiled.
They talked on in desultory fashion
TIL the summer twilight fell. and the
picturesque old town of Nantucket
rose in sight. Miss Morgan sprang up
from her chair, and, gathering her
wrap around her i'm careless thougb
not ungraceful way. called her friend.
Come, Bel. I'm longing to begin my
new lie and they threaded their
way deity through the crowd 10 the
landing place below There they
quickly got into carriage aud rolled
away through the cobbled. paved
streets, with the hoarse notes of the
iown-crier ringing in their ears. They
looked about them eagerly. noting the
quaint old houses. and the charming
grass-grown streets.
"Ob, Bel" cried Amy, I'm halt
sorry we cans.
Why, dcar"' asked her friend
Because ! shall never want to go
away again"
They breakfasted gayly the next
morning bestowing but slight attention
ON their fellow boarders Tho had n
map OF the island spread out before
them, and occasionally invoked the aid
OF the Nantucket waitress i'm MAKING
their plans for the day.
There the old mill. the old house
NuFi-sidc and Scon-et.' said the YOUNG
woman, con-CicDtiOu-ly checking on tho
spots Of interest ON her fingers as she
spoke "and Wauwinct, and e."
"Oh, don't, please. intcrrupted
Amy don't tell any more am be-
wiIdcrcd now Bel. what do YOU saw to
walk a'OnL shore this morning. and
the Old mill this afternoon
Tier Trend as-entcd. and they rose
from the table and went out I'm the hall
How del ghtfully free ] feel. " saiJ
Amy as She ltopped az the desk and
peLan 10 turn over the PAGES II the req.
lsier ~ told everybody not 10 write
To me. and ] shall write to no one
she scanned ! aZe after page without
comment tiil her eyes rested ON the one
where she had Inscribed her friend +.
name and her own the night before.
BEL She 0aspcd. look here" and
she turned TO her friend face of horri
bod surprise
There we're the names she had rouf-
telfo there the previous evening
Tom Harding Nashville Tenn
MISS Isahf Ford. New YORK
But beneath them was another in boI,l
and manly hand
Tom HariinF Nashville Tenn.
TO" perfectly shocking What
" was quite late in the afternoon
when they climbed tho stairs of the o.,f
9ltL ana hey found the miller alon.
lie was an old sailor brown and
weather beaten, with kindly dark exc.
and queer littIe gold ring, sailor fa.0