The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-30
aNot unless you find some one green

enough to buy one of your pictures" |
answered, "and that's not likely"
The dispute at this point becomes lit
tie indistinct. l was exceedingly angry
and suffering from slight attack of gout.
I fancy, however, l told Charlie he might
go to the deuce for aught l cared, and he
seemed to take me at my word, for he left
the house and | have not seen him since.
| have learned, however, that he has
been earning precarious livelihood by
giving drawing lessons, and am told he de-
clares he would rather go to the work
house than be burden on his relatives.
Strange he should speak of me in the plu
raj? How disrespectful it sounds
1t is two years ago that he left me. OF
ten 1 see my sisters eyes looking at me re-
proachfully, and how willingly would |
kill the fatted calf for this foolish prodigal
if he would give me chance.
Why cannot the boy put his pride in his
pocket and ask me to forgive him.
CHAPTER II.
1t was the delightful June weather that
tempted me to take cottage on the river.
1 am, moreover, fond of canoeing, and the
owner of a canoe of greater width and sta
bility than such craft usually possess. 1t
may be that | do look an odd figure as |
sit in my small bark, clad in white flannel
and crowned with large straw hat, but
the benefit my health and temper derive
from this exhilarating amusement more
than compensate for the plebeain rallery l
meet with. 1t was to avoid boats manned
by incompetent and hoarse-voiced crews of
vulgar cockneys that one beautiful after
noon padded my canoe up small tribu-
tary, whose windings and shadows protect
ed it against the inroads of larger craft.
In the mellows on either side | could hear
the sweep of the scythe and smell the new
mown hay. 1t was such day as one
should store in the cells of ones memory
for the winter as a bee stores honey. L
padded myself about for long time in
peaceful enjoyment, watching the swallows
or kingfshers as they flashed through the
sunbeams that slanted through the flicker
ing leaves. After awhile, turning my ca
noe, let myself drift down with the stream,
guiding myself at intervals with vigorous
stroke of my paddle. Black care had no
place beside me that day, and | was deep in
midsummer's day-dream when all at once
violent shock, followed by little scream,
recalled me to myself and checked my alb
sent career. l was jerked uncomfortabiy
forward and my hat shaken over my eyes.
To my dismay I found 1 had run right
into a young lady as l rounded the curve
where the current ran swiftly, who, with
her canoe motionless in a thick growth of
weeds, was reading, half concealed by the
boughs of weeping willow. Her book
fell into the water; her canoe, driven closer
to the bank by the collision, grounded, and
nv own shared the same fate among the
thick weeds.
ssOh, my poor book p exclaimed she,
before l had sufficiently recovered from
my confusion to apologize.
II beg you thousand pardons," stam-
mered, pouring little stream of water over
her dress from my paddle in my agitation,
"but didn't see you.
"Oh, it can't be helped" said she good
naturedly. "Perhaps you'll be kind enough
to pick out my book"
She turned toward me and | saw her
| face was an exceedingly pretty one, with
expressive gray eyes, soft brown hair, deli
cate features, and cheeks flushed with the
confusion my awkwardness had caused.
| She seemed much more inclined to laugh
than to be angry, and have no doubt my
face showed curious mixture OF shame
and astonishment.
[ took the book from the water, and
after a vain attempt to dry its sodden pages
handed it to the owner.
"Shelley," exclaimed |, reading the
title.
eyes" said she. at has met with the
same fate as its poor author.
"She glanced at it with comical little
expression of sorrow.
aYou are much kinder than 1 deserve, y
said I, still feeling red and foolish; "the
only way 1 can make amends is by helping
you off, -.
Hadn't you betterget off youself frst?'
she answered, laughing.
So commenced violent struggle with
nv paddle, vainly splashing the water like
wild goose with broken wing, but un-
able to bulge an inch.
NV companion in misfortune, fully ap'
preciating the absurdity of the spectacle
burst into fit of laughter, which she strove
in vain to check.
II am glad" said l, as paused for want
of breath, ''that afford you some amuse
ment."
at is so funny that L can't help it, .
said she.
"Pray don't try on my account" said
ma unanimously; 81 am quite aware L owe
you some compensation"
At this point there was rustling in the
bushes; big black dog appeared, and de-
scending to the waters edge, began to BARI
joyously.
ties not far off. y
inwardly hoped BERTHE might not be
Young man inclined to give himself airs.
AS she spoke the owner of the dos
. stepped from behind the bushes. He wa
a nice-looking boy of about twelve, whom
1 guessed to be her brother.
s'Hullo, Edith p he exclaimed; "What'
the row p
Then perceiving the nature of our dl
lemma, he began to laugh.
"Dont stand laughing there, you foolisl
, boy," said she, ''but push us off"
So he gave us each a vigorous push, AM
, off we went down the stream together
chatting amicably, until few yards furthe
we reached private landing-place at tn
edge of a smooth lawn. Beyond, througl
/ the leaves, were glimpses of pretty hous
! of old red brick A man rolling the law
t came to help Edith to disembark-a wrink
| led old fellow, who seemed to watch mt
) with suspicion.
I returned her kind little bow by raising
my hat with dificulty-for all salutation
from canoe are dificult-and remained ;
} moment watching her until she disappeare
| behind the laurel bushes on her way to tn
house. II had the misfortune to run int
: the young lady," said I to the man.
$50 sees" said he.
/ aWho lives there?" I inquired, with