The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-01-31

Il am SO SOTTN.
For half a second she looked sideways at |
me with her faint smile and sad eyes. |
Then she rode on without speaking.
| was anxious that she should reach |
home. The storm which had been brewing |
all the afternoon was about to burst, and |
the black clouds driving eastward were |
scanned by lightning flashes.
''You will be drenched unless you gal
lop,'' | said.
"Nothing would please me more" she ex-
claimed, laughing.
"W ell, a race, thenW
We went on at full speed, trying to out
run the storm. 1t was impossible to do so.
Half a mile from Mr. Fenton's villa it burst
in all it's fury, and the horse which Miss
HermoncieuX rode grew terrified at the
thunder and lightning. The rain dashed
in our faces as went on at full speed, and
though | could see that the young lady
was an excellent horsewotnan, her fright
ened animal was almost beyond her con-
troll.
Three hundred yards from the gate of
the villa occurred the accident | spoke of.
A tree had been blown down across the
road, and Miss Hermoncieux's horse at
tempted to clear it. In leaping, her girth
broke, but / was close to her, and caught
her as she was falling. For a moment |
held her in my arms, and by natural i'm
pulse she had thrown her own around my
neck
young lady in so unexpected a manner. 1t
amounts to nothing, of course, since she
would clasp footman in the same affec
tionate fashion. But l did not remember
that; and then the young girl held to my
| heart, her cheek touching my own for an
| instant was Miss Hermoncieux!
| The rest Of the adventure was rather
| prosaic. The young lady's horse had
darted from under her, and / dismounted
qssi''.r!J-, giving her my arm: she was
laughing, though the rain was beating upon
her, and the furious gusts blowing her
brown hair about. 1t had fallen and covered
her shoulders, and as she had dropped her
riding hat, her head was Unprotected. Her
wet dress chung to her person, and alto
gether she suggested the idea of naiad,
and a very charming one.
"There is nothing to do but walk home"
l said. "You don't seem to mind it in the
| least"
81 don't mind it at al, >" she said, laugh
ing. And putting on her hat, which
picked up, she.took my arm, and we walked
to the villa, where we were received with
explanations and every evidence of delight.
[ came home when the storm lulled a
little, and have amused myself by writing
| this page in my journal | wonder whether
she felt the least bit of agitation l GER
tainly did when her arms We're around my
neck and her cheek touched mine?
III.
L lO'tC ONti " MI tIbOl bulS morning.
As | came III sight of the old merchants
villa was struck with the contrast between
the house and grounds and my own. Mr. |
FentOn has amused his leisure IN lavishing
money on the place, and nothing could be
neater or more attractive. l think envy
was left out of my composition, but | re- |
member thinking: "The owner of fine |
establishment is fortunate. If he falls in
love with rich girl, nobody can suspect
his motives"
[ was riding up to the gate leading into |
the grounds, when Warrington passed in |
his drag with his superb bays and liyeried |
tootman. His appearance was resplendent, |
and his handsome mustache curled with |
enjoyment as he cried: GLOW goes it, nv |
dear fellow" Then the shining drag went |
by like a flash and disappeared through |
the tall gateway.
Warrington had evidently come to call
on Miss HermOncieux, and the fact was |
annoying. | should be de tr0p and it is |
not good to be de trOp. Ihesitated, resolved
to put off my visit, rode back slowly for a |
mile, and then, impatient at my own cow
ardlce, returned and rode into the grounds |
of the villa just in time to see Miss Her
moncieuX and Warrington disappearing
on a stroll.
Miss Arthur was sitting in a rustic arm |
chair on the veranda.
''Do come and talk to mel" she ex-
claimed, holding out her hand, and point
ms W a tllttll lletil HtI. OOT tristan,
am your only resource. The gallant Sir
Warrington has borne off the prize"
was accustomed to Miss Arthur's !
vivacity and plain-speaking, 50 | said:
"Well, the prize, [ suppose, is willing"
Miss Arthur looked at me satirically, |
her black eyes sparkling. What actors |
you gentlemen are! You affect indiffer- |
ence, and yet l found out your secret a
month ago"
my secret"
"You are in love with Elise Hermon-
cieuX. You are blushing. Twas certain of /
it,"
"What an idea :" stammered. cit would |
be too stupid.
Il don't see that it would be so stupid |
Elise is the very best girl in the world, and !
not positively frightful. Mr.. Warrington
IS enslaved, you see, and you know he is
gentleman Of taste"
| was entitled, thought, to my revenge, |
and said: us he: Well, | heard that he /
was a devoted friend of yours"
Miss Arthur colored a little, and de- |
tected lurking expression of satire on her |
red lips. "Certainly he is a devoted |
friend and how charming it will be to have
him in the family"
Are they to be married? When is it to |
take place."
Miss Arthur looked at me a moment
without speaking, and then said: "Wf !
you answer plain question? | dare you, |
as the children say"
'I'll not take a dare.' Yes, I will an
swer it,"
well, why don't you tell Elise?"
"Tell her"
chat you love the very ground she
walks on"
"W hat an absurdity"
mo, l am not at all absurd" she said. |
"lf there was any doubt, you would not
blush so. Do you know like to see people
blush? 1t is so honest l really take an
interest in you. 1t is surprising, but you
pay me just as much attention as you did
when you supposed l was great heiress."
"Do you think that so astounding:"
sit has at least the charm of contrast;
others have not been so disinterested. 1t is
strange, but you and | are just as good
friends as before, and | think friends ought !
to give each other advice"
"Certainly.'
''Well, shall give you some?"
'If you please"
"Tell Elise. She doesn't suspect it in the
least. A brave man ought to have courage
to risk his fate"
She6poke earnestly now, and | felt an
impulse to speak as earnestly in reply"
"Miss Arthur" | said "did you ever re-
fleet how unpleasant it is to be poor? 1t is
what the French call bctjSe."
THAT depends. Health and friends are
III. ,t...N