The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-30

|
forced by feeling of giddiness toavert my
astonished gaze. No wonder Edith took
such interest in me 1t did not arise at
all from the reasons l had fondly imagined.
Then wondering what might be the most
satisfactory use of my discovery, ! retraced
my steps and sat on bench on the parade,
where flight of steps was the only means
of ascent from the beach below.
/ had no need to wait long. Edith ap-
peared alone Charlie, from some diplo-
matte reason, 1 suppose, had been left be-
hind
She was even more astonished than when
1 met her at the stile.
"Have you dropped frora the clouds,
Mr.. Mertonl she exclaimed.
"You don't look too pleased to see me,
said /, as we shook hands.
"I'm too surprised to look glad, )" she
said "but I am, all the same"
eWas it troubled conscience that called
you forth so early ?" l inquired.
81 don't know if 1 have conscience
she said smiling; ~ got up to bathe.'
''You don't look as though you had been
bathing"
''I haven't this morning"
"What made you break so virtuous a
rule? Anything to do with the nameless
one?
"What tease you are"
"a tease, indeed Are we not fellow
conspirators ? Come, on what sly errand
have you been this morning?"
But Edith looked at me with grave, gray
eyes, and said it was time to go in to break
fast, adding, eff you have nothing else to
do, perhaps you will take us on the pier
this morning"
'You will be sorry to hear" said l on
our way to the house, "that I've heard
nothing of that scamp of a nephew of
mine, ungrateful young rufian !"
'I'm sure he is not ungrateful, she an
swered warmly.
"Why how on earth can you know,
Edith ?"
because I'm sure he's not !"
"One would fancy you spoke from per-
sonal knowledge"
~ remember what you said of him last
June What has changed you?"
II have become convinced there is no
good in the young fellow, and I'll do moth
ing for him.
'Hadn't you better wait till he asks
your
The wrath that she strove to conceal
amused me- 1t was my revenge.
'You do take a strange interest in the
young fellow Enough to make the name
less one jealous p
'I am surprised at the change in one l
used to think so kind, said she.
'sThe change is not an improvement. ]"
Her pretty face was so troubled that l
half relented.
"Well, it can't matter to you" | said
airily. "He's nothing to either of US. I'll
call after breakfast and shall expect to be
amused"
And 1 went off in my jauntiest manner,
leaving Edith on the steps of the house
gazing at me with wistful eyes.
CHAPTER V.
On calling after breakfast | found that,
for some inscrutable reason. Mrs. LYall had
decided that she would stay at home, and
that was to take Edith alone.
''Do you particularly wish to go on the
pier?" L asked. -.
"Ill go wherever you like" she said
blandly, although l could see she would
have given anything to get rid of me.
"Don't you think you are wasting valu-
able time with me?" 1 asked mischievously.
~ know you want to go-to see the name
less one You can't deceive mel"
Edith hesitated, and while she was in
wardly debating | went on;
"I have not lived all this time in the
world without gaining some knowledge of
human nature. Come, Edith; you know
where he is
"Oh, Mr. Merton, she said, ''what won
derful penetration you have
| could see she was laughing at me in
her sleeve, but / was determined to be
magnanimous.
SAnd now," said 1, II suppose you in
tend to desert me for the nameless one. L
know he is dodging about somewhere watch
ing us, and suffering pangs of jealousy.
Go, my child, go Flap your downy wings
in the sunshine"
Edith beamed at me with eyes full Of
pleasure.
'I haven't any wings to flap yet but
will you let me go, reallyT
"Let you, indeed !"
"I thought, you know" she said, ''you
might have some absurd notion that I was
under your charge, but you are far too
clever and sensible for any such foolish
ideas. never knew less narrow minded
man than you-never wish all people
were like you y
"Flatterer fatterer see through it
all. Although consider myself response
BILE for your behavior, go Don't keep the
nameless one waiting in his lair.
"You are the kindest man in the world!
she said.
"And the most easily beguiled," said L
, abut don't imagine I'm blind,
: 'sNo, no /; you are perfect lynx"
And off she went, with joy in her eyes
thinking no doubt my perceptions were
more akin to those of mole than of the
> bright-eyed, prickeared feline. went on
: the pier where the band was playing, and
/ he who PLAYED the drum-a vigorous exc
: cutant-was doing his utmost to concea
| the deficiencies of his colleagues. Not
/ finding this amusing 1 went on the beach
E and to me, meditating, there came boat
man, who commenced pestering me to hire
A boat Suddenly an idea occurred to me
> arIl take canoe if you have nice
e one" said l, seeing several on the sea.
: OF course he had; and in few minutes
= was aAoat in it, my embarkation causing
4 some mirth among the idlers on the shore
: but people at the seaside will laugh a
t anything. :,
e 1 padded away toward the cliffs, fancy
e ing might see the lovers at their fOrmel
t trysting place and gain another advantage
Y over them. The sea was very calm except
/ where the tide swept over reef of rocks
e where the water seemed to snarl and SHOW
:. CLEANS of white teeth. Beyond was lonely
! boat apparently drifting with the tide
f Almost before I was aware of it | haC
e reached the troubled waters. The littl'
]. choppy waves began to splash over m.
/ gunwale, and, while was arranging th'
f Srotarnroof over nv leos suddenly to my