The Penn's Grove record., 1886-10-09

Deen BpOll6u.'
81 can easily imagine that" replied
the Rev. Septimus with an air Of
delicate g%allantry.
"Ah, you are laughing at me, like
all the rest" half pouted Miss Ada.
"Laughingt Dear, dear, DEAR" pro-
tested the reverend gentleman.
Eyes, absolutely. But would you
mind telling me the exact time, please2
l forgot to put on my watch, coming
away in a hurry" said the charming
young lady. 81 am so impatient to see
my friend, my dear Marie. We have
so much to talk about"
"No doubt" The mental picture
conjured up on the minds Gamers of
two beautiful girls eagerly chatting,
cooling, exchanging condolences about
their lovers, their dresses, their toys
and amusements, was to a certain K
tent a fascinating vision. However,
he drew out his watch and named the
precise time.
~ am rude enough to admire your
watch, - exclaimed Miss Ada In her
baby fashion. The rector feared she
was just a little addicted to flirting,
but it is pardonable sin If not carried
too far. He smiled.
YES" he responded. "a gift from
my parishioners.'
"That shows how they appreciate
you," said Miss Ada with an upward
glance through her long eyelashes. "a
valuable gift. / am sure"
at is. l believe it is worth from 60
to 80 guineas," said the rector, par
donable pride in his air and tone.
EMay / lOok at it2'1
Certainly" He detached it from
the chain and laid it on her little open
palm.
sit is very pretty" said Miss Ada,
admlringly, yet critically. sit is so like
one Uncle Charles has-Sir Charles
Champion. Do you know himP"
81 am sorry to say l do not" replied
the rector. I'VE shall be at the sta
ton now in seven or eight minutes"
"What a PITY mean l am so glad"
said the young lady III a little confu-
sion, the prettiest blush conceivable
dyeing her cheek for a moment as she
handed the watch back to the reverend
gentleman. "Now mind you don't
lose that" she added, shaking her
finger at him with the warning air of
some m~ob-capped granny just stepped
out from a nursery rhyme.
"Oh. L am very careful"
gentlemen always think that. They
always fancy they are so clever and so
well prepared against all snares and
dangers. Is that the station?" she
suddenly asked excitedly.
Eyes" The rector felt mildly re-
g%retful; the pleasant minutes had flown
past like a fash.
Miss Ada clapped her hands glee-
fully. She seemed a very sprite, a
Puck, an Ariel, a being not to be
easily matched for grace, beauty, good
humor, enchantingly frank ways-a
charming creature, even if given to
flirting. But all pretty girls fiirt if a
chance offers, and ugly or even plain
girls amuse themselves, too, with that
pleasing pastime. The rector sighed.
Should he ever again meet this guile
less, amiable young woman? Maybe
not. And il not, what NATTER
The train rapidly swept into the sta.
ton. Miss Ada eagerly, anxiously
gazed at the platform, where another
busting, iostling crowd was scattered.
81 see papa, and Uncle Charles IS
with him-what a surprised She cried
| kdyI1s L uOn Y SEQ lily HAUL Shs
Bellamy, Bellamy, how tiresome you
are. but L am stupid myself; of course,
she mustn't get out till the train stops.
Could 1 get out for a minute and just
run to see where she isp l am going to
play a prank on papa. He loves a
joke; he Is full of fun. l will pretend
not to be myself at all. 1t will be such
fun" She quickly threw a thick
brown gossamer veil over her bonnet,
pulling it closely oyer her face; then
she whisked a light gray wrap COM
pletely round her figure.
81 think 1t would be wisest to stay
where you are. Your father is sur to
see you if you show yourself. Besides,
he will doubtless go to al the carriages.
and-and your maid will signal to
him." urged the rector.
"Oh, but L must tease him" cried
Miss Ada, who was evidently used to
doing exactly as she pleased, and OBJ
jected to being thwarted in any way
ward caprice. II won't risk dropping
this-do take care of 1t for me-only
just a minute, you know" pushing the
morocco cas- containing the diamond
necklace into his reluctant hands.
"'There is papa-that tall man In an
ulster. Don't let him see me; let me
out quick. 1t is only for fun. l will
ask him to come in here if you don't
mind"
The train stopped, and the lively
young lady, without waiting for advice
or assistance, whisked open the door,
sprang to the platform, carefully keep
ing her face concealed, and darted
away, light as a swallow, to hide for a
moment like some gay, frollcsome,
thoughtless child, unused to control.
The tall gentleman whom she had
indicated as her father, together with
his companion, was obviously seeking
for the lovely teasing girl. They looked
about, scanning every one quietly but
sharply, and began walking along the
line of carriages. The elderly, respect
ably maid apparently retained her seat.
She was nowhere to be seen; but the
rector, watching the little incident
with some amusement. was Obliged to
acknowledge to himself that he had
scarcely glanced at her, and should
decidedly not be able to Tecollect even
the general aspect of her prosaic figure.
There was an expression of anxiety on
the face of the taller man, General
MdIllcs DO blO ACbbOA PAOouLAVd III "
be, which was natural under the cir
cumstances.
The two gentlemen paused at the
door OF the compartment In which the
smiling rector renamed seated. The
latter scanned the clerical traveller at
tentively, and glanced swiftly over the
seats, the floor, the rack, then again at
the sole occupant Of the carriage.
pardon me-" he began ~courteously.
Certainly. I think practical joking
is a foolish amusement" responded the
Rev. Septimus. with bland ~politeness,
commingled with c~ordialty. 81 may
at once relieve your natural anxiety by
informing you that your daughter has
only this moment I'll away, out of
glrlish gayety, to play at hide-and-seek
with you."
81 don't understand you," coldly