The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-28

over the point. The bathing Is far better,
smoother and safer"
II never battle in Easter week, except in a
tub, said Arnold @Do you pass, Gregory"
for they we're playing cards.
"Passf No; I'll order it up. Now, Miss
Hilda, and he looked brightly over at his
partner. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained,
you know"
an do the venturing," replied Hilda; and
being third in han /, followed suit, playing
very low.
Gregory took no notice of this loss Of a
trick. "Of course we don't expect ocean bath
ing" he continued; "but you will want to go
there again. always think of that III going
to n new place. 1t isn't so much ones enjoy
ment the first time, but the practical knowl-
edge one gains. 1t helps you in making up
your mind the next time-adds another bead
to your rosary, as it WERE"
"Euchred," said Arnold.
Now, isn't that just my luckE' exclaimed
Gregory; land hadn't a bad hand either.
And them" he continued, although he was
now at another table, and had to look over
his shoulder to address Arnold, lit is such
comical idea, this clubbing arrangement, and
rot bad one either. 1t works well all
around, helps fill up the hotel, and provides
You with company of your own choosing"
I'VE do not all get our board free" said the
widow.
NO, Of course not. Only the one who gets
up the club, Grand this is the best plaza
club can invite a guest instead. Four of us
could take one extra person, and eight of us
two, and SO on. 1t is what might be called
the hospital plan. No one is at extra expense,
one unsler obligations. You have just the
s.Ir.le rates, the same rooms, the same board,
q member of IA club, that you would have
il you went alone, but there is the extra
guest. You can go as a third-story party or
a first floor. 1t is share and share alike. No
one knows which is guest and which one pays,
italplan."
you are sure it is a good housed Well
kept!"
First rate. Oh, come now, Mrs. Lyonsi
know won't get the BOBBY prize l am not
playing for prizes tonight. If We're should
not try for that"
~You must have them strung up ike scalps
around wiSwain, Gregory. Tell us how
many have you got."
"One for each tally ca =. - asked the widow.
Gregory laughed Inysteriously. IL am
going to play for a prize" he said, land 1 am
going to get it. What kind of a prize it will
be you shall judge when you see it,"
Thus far Gregory little scheme had worked
fairly. He had int rested tho party, and had
almost persuaded tho Arnolds to promise to
60. The widow needed no persuasion. She
wanted solitude, she said, so as to practice her
Spanish and she wa from tho first on Greg
ory's side. To Hilda he said very little. This
was the delicate and difficult part of the mat
ter. He was quite sure that she could not
afford the holiday, and he knew she would
not accept the position of guest unless the
affair was managed with great delicacy.
If l appear i'll is-if l propose inviting
her." he said to himself "she is shy, so
proud, that she viii refuse at once. must
suggest, but l must never say it."
To this subtle and embarrassing task he
thus addressed himself He talked as il both
Stefano and Hida were going; he suggested
that he himself might be invited as guest"
He did oil that hc could to show that the po-
sition was most honorable and desirable. He
spoke Of the rest, Of the exhilaration in the
air, of leaving the city behind, and yet liv-
ing in friendly circle. What We're they not
to do at Coast Cove! He bought books to
read there; he collected photographs and
games for the one rainy day they were to
have, and. finally sent Hilda a volume OF
poems, ON the fly leaf of which was written,
"Coast Cove, Easter week, 1888" After a
time his persistence persuaded them all that
they were going, and they fell into the habit
of discussing their plans before they were
really aware that they hal seriously formed
any.
Stefano took but little interest in all this
English talked around him. He lived in his
lagoon OF French and italian, and the out
side waves did not disturb him. His plans
for Florida did not please him as tho time for
leaving drew near, but he promised himself
that he could soon see all of the south that he
cared for, and he would speedily return. In
the mean time he devoted himself to talking
to Mrs Lyons and practising with Hilda. He
shrugged his shoulders at the idea of the
northern sea coast in March, and told them
that he preferred thinking Of them as at home.
When tho second week in March came,
Gregory had a summons to Chicago, and had
to leave New York ut once.
at is the most unfortunate thing !" he said
"but have written to the Coast Cove house
and made provisionary arrangements. Ar
nol(. can sec how they suit. have a copy of
my letter for him. l will certainly get back
during the week and will join you there. 1
have said that there will be ut least a club Of
four and guest"
"But the guestl Whom are we to invite?"
inquired Mrs. Lyons, gayly.
Gregory hesitated. 1t O breathleSs
moment to him. He did not dare to look at
Hilda- He did not dare to mention her, nor
yet to pass her name over. II she did not go
the sea would he only bowling wilderness Of
waves. He looked at Mrs. Lyons; there was
q world of entreaty in his eyes. Surely,
surely she must know who ought to be the
guest!
We have had so pleasant n winter together,
our party ought not to be broken now. No
one has SO much influence as you. You
choose the guest, make up the party, Mrs
Lyons, and il persuasion fails try coercion"
Then he laughed, his handsome face flushing
"a great deal may hang on this. Let us do
unto others"
Il see!" cried the widow; "you are a wicked
fellow. But see through it all. You may
depend on me, and the party shall be to your
mind
"Arc we limited to four:" asked Mrs
Arnold.
leave it to me" replied the widow; Il
have made my plans. L know just how to
manage it; know just what we want. But
You, GreGory-oh, l shall envy Chicago
JnN hat In .lnnr inn n