The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-25

ness,
"I'll take care Of you, Violet" he
said soberly, "If you will wait for me
I will marry you when come Of age
and get my fortune"
81 couldn't promise that" Violet
answered, brushing away her tears.
''No, don't ask me, Mr.. Teddy. l am
never going to marry till find my
father. 1 have got one somewhere,
and"
ooh, is this where you are, Teddy?"
cried Mrs. Benton as she descended
on the tableau. "They are getting up
a dance in the parlor, and they want
you to join them"
"Will you favor me?" Teddy whis-
pered, and Mrs, Benton gasped as she
saw him walk off with the little actress
on his arm.
Dick burst out laughing.
"The young scampw she cried. 'If
he isn't flirting with her.
X =
1t was five years afterwards that
Teddy graduated from Oxford, and
the following spring he went on his
travels.
There seemed to be nothing more
for him to do. He was rich enough,
had seen enough Of society, had had
enough Of everything.
"The happiest man is he who has
something to do" he reflected, as he
lay under the shadow of a great rock,
looking up at the cloud-patched heav-
ems.
Above his head, in messy cleft,
grew bunch of wild columbine, nod
ding gaily in the mountain breeze,
like a little witch-hower.
He was watching it idly, when a
white hand futtered over the cliff
and delicate fingers, ringed with dia-
monds, began to pluck the nodding
flowers.
Presently, there came figure half
way over the cliff, and then face
shaded by little peaked straw hat
"tip-tilted like a flower" and twisted
round with scarf Of red Grape.
ga very pretty girl" mused Teddy
"She looks like a columbine herself ir
that red dress, with all those cream
colored frills about her Oh, it is Mis-,
De Lancy, the new BELLE"
He was watching her, and caught ,
passing glimpse OF shapely foot, as
with sudden movement, she swuny
herself over the rock to gain access t.
another clump Of columbine.
"Take care" cried Teddy, spring
ing to the rescue.
For her foot had touched SOM
loose gravel which afforded no secur
foundation; the earth slipped, ant
she was left swinging by her hands il
mid-air.
Teddy was strong and prompt. H
clambered up over the rocks till h
stood about six feet beneath hel
shouting his instructions in clea
firm voice.
"Now let yourself loosew he shout
ed.
And the little pendent figure dror
ped into his arms,
"You ought not to have attempte
thatg he said, as he put her safely 0,
the ground
II know" she answered, lifting he
pale but lovely face to his. "But III
so fond Of wild flowers-especially co
umbine."
Teddy sprang up the rocks and S,
cured the bunch she had risked s
much to obtain.
"Thank youl" she said grateful,
her eyes aglow with pleasure. "Isn
it lovely2 If ever fairies live in floy
ers, this must be a palace of the elve
You are very kind, sir. Ny faith,
will thank you very much.a
A mans voice rang down the moul
t tain, calling
}, "Luciile!"
: "Here, papa. Down below Bril-
= Mamma May with you"
A gray-haired man, straight al
u handsome, came down the mountai
:. side with a beautiful lady on his arr
l She was very yoang-evidently /
second wife.
a "Why did you run away, dear
said the lady, and stopped, surpris
> to meet stranger.
"This gentleman saved my hf,
/ said Lucille, presenting Teddy.
" fell over the rocks,n
Mr.. De Lancey held out his hand.
To whom are We indebted for