Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-01-10

N'tII-S "do iuituCl AiOu LILY
thoughts, Stella answered, SO gravely
:hut Nora said, In quite a different
tone:
"You are not in love with either Of
them. then?" :
"I-I don't think l am. I believe {
ike Al Mr.. Douglas best; but the
Valcour fortune and family arms quite
balance my preference. 50 you see |
I'M ina dilemma. a., there they are
nowi We had better put on our things
before we go downstairs, hadn't we2
What very great swell Major Nalcour's
coaclman IS. It's handsome sleigh.
to-"
Nora went to the wardrobe and got
out her hat and furs. As she put them
on, preparatory 10 & ride with her
cousins rival suitors, she vented, her
feelings in the brief remark that Stella
was the queerest girl she had ever met.
The gentlemen were waiting for them
in the sleigh at the front door, and it
was not long before the robes were
wrapped about them, and they were off
at rattling pace on the road leading
out of the quaint old town.
1t was clear, breezy day, but not too
cold for pleasure, and the ice-boats-
those swift-winged sleighs so common
on the Canadian rivers in winter-were
skimming over the frozen surface of the
water like beautiful white gulls.
To see those dainty little vessels,
mounted on runners, cutting along over
the ice at rate Of sixty mile 5 an hour,
thrilled Stella's yenturesome soul with
envy.
ooh, I wound give anything in the
world for ride on one of those boats"
! she cried, with girlish extravaganza, and
her speaking eyes followed the graceful
movements of the trim little ice fleet.
"Have you never ridden in one?'
Engene Valcour asked, in surprise.
''No; but I have always wanted to. l
should think it would be perfectly de-
lightful."
cit is" valcour answered. "We have
boat, Miss Markham. If yon"-
Ice-boating is very dangerous
sport" Alan Douglas observed, senten-
tiously. "You may dive into an air
hole, or capsize at any moment"
$50 they say" Valcour answered
carelessly; "but I've been ont on the
river scores OF times, and have never
met with single accident. It's all in
the management OF the boat I would
not be afraid to take half dozen of
people in the Victorine."
That man has escaped hundred
times is no indemnity against possible
accidents" Douglas said tersely. 81
wouldn't care to take anyone with me in
The Victorlne-ccrtainly not a lady"
ooh, / wouldn't be bit afraid =
Stella cried. "Maior Valcour, do take
me! I am dying to go y
II am perfectly willing to take you, -
| he said laughingIy; "only you must
promise me immunity from prosecution
.a, casc anything dreadful happens to
.,.I.
&. Alan Douglass face was overspread
wth sudden pallor.
/! "Major Valcour," he said sternlv, 81
! hope you have no serious intention OF
doing anything so foolhardy."
The color rushed to Nalcour's face,
and his eyes emitted ali angry spark.
II am at Miss Markham's service, y
he said shortly. 81 shall take her if she
wishes TO 60
Certainly I dor' Stella cried. al
there is any real danger, it will only add
zest to my enjoyment. | would like il
above all things wouldn't you,
Nora?"
mo, thanks p her cousin answered
nervously. Il would rather be ex
cused. ="
What are You afraid, too?" Stellf
exclaimed, with an accent that brought
a resentful flush to Alan's face.
She might as we'll have called him s
coward.
utlItk VIC dIe alIalI 0I LOT, MIS-
Markham" he said with quick, cutting
emphasis, II feel il my duty to inform
you that jce-boating is not suitable
sport for lady. In the first place, til.
boats are mere skeletons, and the onl,
way to accommodate oneself to them i
to lie down fiat in the stern. There ar.
no seats, no cushions, nothing-in fact
there are only the barest ribs of timbe
to hold on. No lady can ride in on
without real discomfort, and-not lit
tie discredit to herself.
What do you mean 10 insinuate, sir !:
Yalcour exclaimed angrily.
: Il insinuate nothing" Douglas re
piled cody. u state the case w:hou
eqmvocation.
Then he turned 10 the coachman an
said in low tone:
stop here, please! ladies, I al
) obliged to leave You. Good morning
| Major Valcour -