The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-08-11
A Seaside Romance.

ScH-Slue hOHHuce.
ooh dear, what shall do? Here is
Iater, water everywhere, with a ven
eance, and have the pleasing alterna-
We of being swept out to sea or
Eading in water knee-deep to the shore.
Mas! Alas!'
With this lament the soliloquy con-
luded, and dainty young lady, clad in
blue, looked about for way out of her
ilemma. She was standing on a rock
1t a little distance from the shore, sur
ounded by water, which, with every
wave, made the surface on which she
TODD smaller and smaller.
As she turned around, viewing the
prospect from every point of her des-
rt island, she saw, not far distant, a
gentleman in the same predicament as
herself. She had not noticed him be-
ore, having been absorbed in the view,
Ind at that moment he caught sight of
her also. They both laughed and the
gentleman crossed to her side. Look
ing first at the encroaching sea, and
then at the young lady, he said:
"There is no other way;' and he
lifted her in his arms and carried her
to the beach.
"Thank you for your timely assist
hnce, sir" said the lady. Z" went out
there some time ago, and was so alb
sorbed that did not see my danger"
60 1t was SO with me-" he replied,
bowling; e | am very glad to be of serv-
ice to you"
The lady had scarcely reached her
room in the hotel when she was joined
by friend, a bright young person, who
exclaimed:
Why, Florence Ivers, where have
you been? I've been looking every
where for you, and it's almost time for
supper. Let me help you get ready.
I'll arrange your hair. Where have
you been?' she again queried.
Down on the beach," responded
Florence, with an odd smile.
What a queer expression, Floss!
What is the matter?"
Nothing, Picnic"
Now, Floss, you're hiding some
thing from me, and breaking the heart
of your best friend,n walled Picnic,
pathetically.
81 haven't time to tell you now,
Picnic, but | will after supper" and
the two descended to the dining-hall.
When they sat down at the table the
chairs opposite were empty, but soon a
gentleman and lady entered and took
them. Florence blushed slightly, as
she recognized her deliverer of an hour
before; but he did not appear to notice
her, and, somewhat piqued, she gave
her attention to Picnic. AS they re-
turned to their rooms, Picnic said:
Now, Florence, divulge this dread
full secret which is robbing your cheek
of its bloom and your eye of its wonted
brightness"
9 Nonsense! " said Florence, and
then a knock sounded at the door.
Picnic answered it, and then turning
to Florence, said, Excuse me, my
dear, Harold is below" and fitted from
the room.
Well" soliloquized Florence, "now
Harold has come shall see no more of
Picnic till his departure. / wonder il
all engaged girls are alike. l will now
trudge off to the lecture alone. | have
grown somewhat accustomed to it since
Harold appeared"
Though an enthusiastic teacher, and
Notwithstanding the fact that Miss
Ivers had come to the summer school
then in progress with full intention
of being benefited, her mind wandered
from the subject to her adventure OF
the afternoon. How strong he must
have been TO carry me so easily" she
reflected, and then vision of tai
man, wading through the surf with her
self in his arms, presented itself, anC
she smiled so infectiously that boy
opposite grinned in sympathy. Wher
she arrived at her room, not having
heard six words of the lecture, she
wrote a letter to her mother, and
being an adept at sketching, made {
drawing of the scene.
The next morning Florence rar
downstairs, putting the letter into the
envelope as she ran. Unknown to her
the sketch slipped from her fingers
and fell through the balustrade to thu
hall below, where it was picked up by
gentleman, in passing, and after al
amused inspection consigned to hi
pocket.
why, here is the picture of my owl
escapade," he exclaimed. " | SHOULD
like to see the artist. If | hadn'
broken my glasses, / might hope Il
recognize her, but it is hopeless as it is
/ wonder what her name is. Thes,
must be her initials in the corner, bu
/ can't make them out. 1t was rattle
an odd experience for a staid old bach
elor like myself to undergo. She Ger
tainly has talent and keen sense O
humor,' and he smiled again as h
viewed the spirited little sketch, neve
meant for his eyes. " / wonder if sh
ever uses her talent for the benefit o
her scholars. They are to be envied i
that case. / must find her out. Sh
wore blue dress with white trimming
of some sort. That will help me-" An
this deluded man hoped to find pan
ticular female among the numbers the
in attendance at the school because h
had seen her once wear blue dres
which was such one as dozens c
young blondes might wear.
One evening, as Florence was sittin
on the veranda with Harold and Picnic