Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-10-07

BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

What shall we do with ourselves
to day ?" queried Grace Borlsnd,
sitting q little yawn and glancing In.
around upon the small group
assent led In the hotel party.
She WAS leaning against the case
ment with her jeweled hands clasped
together behind her queenly blonde
head, in n gracefully indolent fashion.
and the loose sleeves of her morning
dress, falling back, revealed her white,
rounded arms, and made very charm
ing picture.
Some suggested one plan, some
another; but the majority were willing
o do anything to p ease Miss Borland,
who was, INCIDENTALLY, the belle OF the
place.
1t WAS Q most picturesque spot, by
the way-a regular little snuggery up
among the mountains, WHERE'S the air
was pure AMI bracing, and whose
healtl giving springs were just begin
ming t. he famous. And, best of all,
but few fashionables had, as yet, found
1t out.
They were an exclusive hut social
party, the few who we're there already.
Every body was friendly with every
hody else, cave twc-lovely Grace Bor-
land, the belle, and Dick Fordham-
who had persistently and unaccount'
ably refused TO become acquainted with
each other.
"I've heard Of her," was Dicks curt
reply when pressed for his r,asOns,
=" and I've no desire to have my scalp
taken this summer. Some other time,
thank you," he concluded, with a
grim touch of the rather inelegant pre-
vailing slang.
AZ have not the slightest desire to
form his acquaintance" said Miss Bor.
land, rather stifily, when she was cate
chised on the same subject have
heard Of Mr.. Fordham, and that Is quite
sufficient.
| So the two handeomest and most popu
lar young people In the hotel studiously
avoided each other as If poison lurked
In the introduction which their friends
were 30 anxious TO bestow.
1t wsa finally arranged tina: a ramble
up the side of the steepest mountain
should be the order of the day, and in
short time they were equipped and
ready for the start.
Grace. looking irresistible In . cool
gray wa king suit, accepted the escort
of a good looking and fun loving young
gentleman, while Dick Fordham took
charge Of a pretty girl similarly In
lcliued-in fact, q girl who loved al
kinds of innocent mischief even hettel
lthau she did the three good, rubstartia
meals which she gracefully disposed o
every day-winsome little Josie Mel
vile.
1t was noticed by some OF the part.
that Josie's black eyes had in them al
unusually wicked sparkle, and tina
she had great deal to say, in conf
dental way, to Harry Mason, Grace
, escort, just previous to starting Blu
nobody thought anything Of that be
You'd idly ordering what Josie wa
up to now"
It was delightful day, and a merry
light hearted erowd,-or 30 it wOul
4 seem to any chance locker Oh, as the
|; scramb led over the rough mountain
side. laughing and rompipg like &
many school. children out for q hol
5 day.
r By and by they seats red of in group
's of two or more the musical tinkle
their laughter sounded from variOu
? directions, and the pretty summer tot
!, cts plinted in the sunlight here an
8 there, at convenient flirting distance
q from each other.
Josie Neville threw herself dow
upon q grassy seat with a weafied o.
which belied the mischievous spark
: in her saucy eyes.
"I am 10 tired r. she exclaimed, Z
her escort gallantly famed her prett!
D flushed face. &" And yet did want
Il 90 a little further-to that large roc
,,ltbat Won can see over there throug
q those trees" pointing toward 1t IS sh
tspoke. There IL the loveliest MOI
Iyou ever saw growing over 1t, and-ol
IMr. Fordhaln, AS II q new idea ha
lust struck her, would you min
Iaoing over there and gathering SINE {
liz for me? ] can sit here and r .st viii
Iyou are gone. and SHALL bo ever
= much obliged for your trouble"
}, Anything to serve you, Miss Josie
. returned Dick, calamity. "And
e will be . pleasure rather than . troubl
!. assure you"
Il twill it, thought" thought Josie.
e And she smiled wickedly, all to be
e self, as she watched his tall, handson
i figure striding away in the direction
q the moss covered rock.
% There seemed something particu lar
1. Iexhilarating in the air to day, al
ID Dicks somewhat moody spirits caug
1 the Infection. He struck into rollic
ing whistle as he approached the roc
and almost at the same instant, Ia
:. beautiful young lady rose up from u
" ground betid 1t and suddenly confro
N ted him. He stepped back pace, wi
ri | a blank, astonished countenance, al
% the gay whistle died sudden dea
Is upon his lips.
70 Grace!'
nj "Dickl"
e, These two words dropped simultan
0 !; ously from the lips of each, and bo
TO- sneakers looked as thoroughly startl
b. and upset as If they had suddenly cor
face to face with the ghost Of their oV
Il Igrandmothers.
The lady was the first to recover b
self possession.
81 heard you coming, sir, t" she bega
very haughtily, "but supposed Ito
MIR. Mason, who left me alone here
few moments. Had known no
g was, I should not have remained ht
; for this disagree able encounter"
u. And, with curling lip, she turned
Dis 20 but Dick, yielding to some une
Et 10, p,r1ua oid hia hand Arm