Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-11-28
$50 they saw ValcOur answered car

single accident. It's all in the man
agement of the beat. l would not be
afraid to take half a dozen people in
the Victorine.'
That a man has escaped hundred
times is no indemnity against possible
ACCIDENTS Douglast said tersely. q
wouldn't care to take anyone with me
in the Victorine, certainly not a
lady
oh, l wouldn't be, q bit afraid 7
Stella cried, Major Valcour, do take
me! l am dying 10 go!'
4 am perfectly willing to take you,
he said laughingly; only you must
promise me immunity from prosecu-
tion in case anything happens to you.
Alan Douglast's face was oversprsad
with sudden pallor.
Major Valcour,' he said sternly, i
hope you have 40 serious intention OF
doing anything so foolhsrdy.'
The color rushed to Valcour's face,
aud his eyes emitted an angry spark.
Il am ut Miss Markham's service,
he said shortly. i shall take her il
she wishes to 60
Certainly | dov Stella cried. III
there is any real danger, it will only add
zest to my enjoyment. Iwould like it
above all things-wouldn't you, Nora :
No, thanksv her cousin answered
nervously. Il would much rather be
excused
What! are you afraid, too?' Stella
exclaimed, with an accent that brought
resentful fash to Alan's face.
She might as w.ll have called him a
coward.
Whether We are afraid or not, Miss
Markham, he said with quick, cutting
emrbasis, 4 feel it my duty to inform
you that ice boating is not . suitable
sport for lady. In the first place the
boats are mere skeletons, and the only
way 10 accommodate oneself to them
10 to lie down fat in the stern. There
are no seats, no cushions, nothing-in
fact, there are only the barest ribs OF
timber to hold on. No lady can ride
in one without real discomfort, and
not little discredit TO herself
'Whatd do you mean to insinuate, sir ?
Vslcour exclaimed angrily.
Il insinuate nothing Douglast re-
piled coolly. 4 state the case without
equivocstion.'
Then he turned to the coachman and
said low tone:
Stop here, please! Ladies, | am
obliged to leave You. Good morning,
Major Valcour!'
Drive onv volcour cried as he NUT
tered something under his breath.
Alan Dcuglxst had leapsd lightly
out Of the sleigh and, lifting his hat,
began to retrace the road back to Mon
treal.
We'll, of oil the pretty exhibits l
ever did see 7 Stella exclaimed, with q
look Of scorn.
He was afraid we'd ask him to join
u.s. whispered Valcour. He needn't
have disturbed himself.
'Tse idea Of a man Of his age being
so superlatively cautious: Stella added
derisiveIy. Il call that downright COW
ardice.'
Valcour was, OF course. not i'll pleas
ed to find his rival in disgrace but
Nora looked back at the rstresting 6g-
ure Of Alan Douglast with different
feeling
You will take me. won't you. Major
Valcour p Stella asked coquettishly.
TO which Valcour, OF course, replied
that he woald take her anywhere she
wished to go.
We mightgo this afternoon he said
refectively; the ice looks ycry sound,
and there is fine breeze blowing.
Yes, yes! do let us go this after,
noon!'
And so it was arranged.
The Victorine. q splendid little ice
yacht lay just off the landing. Valcour
had provided cushiors and robes for
her, but Stella WAS somewhat surpris.
ed to learn that Alan Douglast had
come pretty near the truth.
They had met him on their way down
to the river, but he passed on with the
slightest OF formal salutes.
is there no one else going with us !?
Stella asked in surprise, as Eugene
Valcour tucked the robes about her
and seated himself in q half-reclinine
posture at her side.
No. he answered with a smile. q
can manage the boat myself. and the
Victorine is so small there is hardly
room for more. Besides he added in
a lower and more tender tone would
not another perst n be de trope ? You
are not afraid to sast yourself with
me?'
sOh, nov Stella answered her face
reddening.
Then the sails caught the wind as il
went whistling by, and away they sped
over the smooth, gIittering surface o.
the ice.
Lying in the stern of the boat, Stella
looked up at the clear blue sky, and
out ut the snow clad mountains which
skirted their path on either side.
Every object she fixed her eyes upon
appeared to vanish as If by magic. The
boat seemed to skim through the air
The wind Auttered Stellas hair, and
famed the color in her checks into a
bright fame her eyes sparkled with
enjoyment, and laughter fairly bub
bled to her lips.
Isn't this perfectly splendid ? she
cried for the sixth or seventh time
as the Victorine circled and tackled in
q lively breeze.
There is another boat making thi.
way Vslcour observed. 1T must be q
poor sailor. With only one man in it
it ought to have passed US long ago.
Stella watched it for = while, ant
then lay back in the stern Of the Vic
torine with her eyes closed.
She's catching up with u.s. Valcou