The Red Cloud chief., 1884-09-19

One OF the Seasons Nantucket Idyis.
The out bound steamer from New Bed
ford. stopping at Marfha's Vineyard
and Nantucket, swept gayly out of the
harbor Two young women in simple
travelling costume sat on the deck and
looked down on the many shaded green
waters below--Miss Morgan and Mis-
Ford. The latter was tall, digniiied
and blonde, and three years the senior
of the petite, darK-cyed friend at her
side. IL was she who spoke, with Just
a triilc OF annoyance in her voice:
'Its too absurd. Amy. You can
never carry out sucn a plan; you will
get into all kinds OF scrapcs and tell so
manv fibs."
Miss Morgan. coolly-"What arc fibs
In good cause, my dear? You will see
it. will be the sim lest thing in the
world. and do so want 10 see life from
= married stand point"
Miss FOrd-'.Then Diy didn't you
marry? I'm sure there was Harry
Thorndy Ike -"
Miss Morgan. with fierceness-" "Bcl,
ii. you ever allude TO that again
al won't, dear" said her friend.
'sooiilingly. ''but since you didn't mar
ny 1 can't sec why"
That's just it," answered Miss
Morgan, eagerly; '.if had married
should wish to appear single. Come.
Bel, I'll chaperone yon beautifully. Let
me have my own way. won't you.
dear?'
Miss Ford, with resignation-"Whcn
do you not have your own way. Amy?
INF 4 oh hau
one moments peace"
name. Mrs-Mrs-- What is my hus-
bands name. Bcl?"
81 decline all acquaintance with
myths"
Miss Morgan, after some thought
-'I have it now. Bel. dear. let me pre-
sent YOU to Mrs. Harding. Mrs. Tom
Harding, of Nashville. Nashville is a
good far-of place. you know"
Miss Ford tried TO frown, but laughed
instead and bowed. '.Now. 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
aant horizon.
They sat slightly apart from the
crowd of fellow-passengers. and. alb
sorbed in their talk. did not note q sim
gle listener. who stole guiltily away as
tine steamer neared the Vineyard. The
listener was a young man, tall and
comely. with laughing blue eyes and
fine, clear-cut features He wore a
suit of well-fitting gray. and carried in
his hand n travelling satchel neatly let
tered IT. H." His face betOkcned .
little perplexity and much amusement.
AS he sauntered to another part of the
deck, and devoted himself to the pages
of Nantucket guide. He glanced
now and then at the young women
who had so unwitiingly bestowed upon
him their confidence, and, rs he did so.
he smiled.
They talked on i'm Gesultory fashion
till 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 in q careless though
not ungraceful way, called her friend:
"Come. Bel. I'm longing to begin my
new life," and they threaded their
way deftly through the crowd to the
landing place below. There they
quicklygot into q carriage and rolled
AWAY through the cobbled- paved
streets. with the hoarse notes of the
tOwn-crier ringing in their ears. They
looked about them eagerly, noting the
quaint old houses. and the charming
grass-grown streets.
-Oh. BEL" cried Amy, I'm half
sorry we came"
..Why. dear?" asked her friend.
"Because shall never want to 60
away again"
They breakfastcd gayly the next
morning. bestowing but slight attention
ON their fellow boarders. They had a
map of the island spread out before
them. and occasionally invoked the aid
of the Nantucket waitress in making
their plans for the day.
"There's the old mill. the old house.
Surf-side and 'Sconset," said the young
woman. conscientiously checking of the
spots OF interest on her fingers rs she
spoke '.and Wauwinet and"
..Oh, don't, please" interrupted
AMY, don't tell any more. 1 am be-
wildered now. Bel, what do you say 10
a walk along shore this morning, and
the old mill this afternoon?"
Her friend assented. and they rose
from the table and went out in the hall
..How delightfully."- free 1 feel" said
Amy, rs she stopped at the desk and
began to turn over the pages of the reg
lister. 81 told everybody not to write
TO me. and / shall write to no one.
She scanned page after page without
comment till her eyes rested on the one
where she had inscribed her friends
name aud her own the night before.
BEL" she gasped. ''look herer' and
she turned to her friend face of horri-
fled surprise.
There were the names she had regis
tered there the previous evening:
Mrs. Tom Harding. Nashville. Tenn.
Miss Isabel Ford, New York.
But beneath them was another in . bold
And manly hand:
Tom Harding. Nashville. Tenn.
! ..How perfectly shocking! What
shall do?"
1t was quite late Fl tine afternoon
when they climbed the stairs of the old
snill. and they found the 1eiller alone.
He was An old sailor. heovn and
weather-o beaten, with kindly dark eyes
and queeS little gold rings. sailor fash