The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-05-13
HIS PUNISHMENT.


say you to joining me in my trip? l
should be delighted to have you for a
companion"
So said Harold North to his friend,
Guy harrington. And the latter, after a
short reflection, decided to act upon his
friends suggestion.
And thus one pleasant spring morning
saw the two young men leaning over the
rail OF an iron steamer watching the ar
rivals. Presently, by a slight mshap,
the attention of both was drawn in the
same direction
A young lady and her maid were cross
ing the gangway, side by side, when a
puff OF wind caught the hat off the head
Of the latter, and, after whirling it airily
and dangerously just over the water, blew
it upon the wharf, where it was rescued
by a boy and restored to its owner, who
was amenting the disaster.
Just look at that young ladies face -
Harold North exclaimed. "Did you ever
see anything 80 enchanting?" ?"
Just then the young lady chanced to
raise her eyes, and caught sight of the
two faces leaning above her.
a look of pleasure was accompanied
by a charming smile as she inclined her
head. OF course both gentlemen lifted
their hats, although moment later they
looked IT each other inquiringly.
$50 you know her, North? Slv fellow!"
Know her? l only wish that | did
1t was you the bow was intended for
She looked straight at you"
Ii so, it's case of mistaken iden-
tity," Guy answered.
That very afternoon the friends met
the young lady who had so kindled the
admiration Of both, face to face. She
paused and held out tiny hand
Mr. Norris, am glad to see you !!
Although it is four years since we met,
knew you at once"
"And | am equally charmed to meet
you, although, begging your pardon,
am not that tO-beenvied individual, Mr.
Norris Guy replied.
A flush crossed the young face, which
an instant later dimpled into smiles at
the lndicrous oonLrctcmps.
eff do not know her, l will before
long Guy determined, and straightway
sought out the captain, whom he had no.
ticed few minutes before in conversation
Win the Ialr unknown.
And thus with no difficulty he obtained
the coveted introduction. Of course
Harold North came in for his share in
the remarkable good fortune that had be-
fallen his friend, and was duly presented
to the owner of the face.
A week elapsed.
One afternoon as the friends were seated
together on deck, Harold looked up sud.
denly with the query:
81 say Guy, are you in love with Miss
Weston 90
In love-well, that's pretty strong. l
admire her exceedingly and mean to keep
up the acquaintance. But what is it to
you, old fellow ?"
GA good deal | am desperately,
fathoms deep, in love with her, and
though you might be drifting in much the
same course, and that it would be only
honorable in me to warn you that it
would be war to the knife"
But if Harold thought to play win
ming game against his most subtitle, bril-
liant friend, he soon saw the futility of
his hopes, for any casual observer could
hardly fail to understand the lovely light
that made Daisy Weston's face eloquent
when in Guys company.
Another week slipped by, full of de-
lightful days and evenings, when beneath
the starlight the romance of love made
itself comprehended for the first time by
Guy Harrington.
Hitherto he had admired many women,
but cared for none. And even now he
was surprised at himself, and little in
credulOus as well.
At length the voyage ended, and the
travellers parted, each to go their own
ways-Miss Weston to join an invalid
uncle, who was awaiting her at an ada
cent watering place, and the two friends,
of course, together.
eau revoir, Miss Weston, not adieu," !"
Guy said, as he held her hand in fare
well clasp. 81 have promised to accom-
pany my friend to that haven of his de-
sire-home; but if | live so long as an
other month, shall hasten to renew the
friendship that has made this voyage a
never-to- -beforgotten pleasure"
81 shall be very glad to see you"
Daisy's soft voice answered but though
her words were few, the expression of her
uplifted lustrous eyes told him more elo-
quently than the longest sentence how
very welcome he would be.
Four weeks slipped by, and one day
Guy left his friend Harold-who had long
since accepted his fate like man and re-
signed the field to his favored rival-and
wended his way to the place where he
expected to find Miss Weston. But, to
his intense disappointment, she was not
there
'The old gentleman was taken sud
denly ill with alarming symptoms, and
insisted on leaving at once for his own
home, sir" the hotel keeper informed him.
"Can you tell me where they have
gomez" he asked.
And, upon receiving satisfactory an
swer to his query, then and there Guy
sat down and indicted letter to Daisy,
in which he told her how overwhelming
his disappointment had been at finding
her gone, and what the nature of the er-
rand that had brought him to seek her
that day had been.
His answer reached him a couple of
weeks later after he had joined Harold
in Rome. It was written upon paper
r,hoao odoa was deeplv bordared with