Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-29

door
His visit was rather an aimless one. He
advanced no other reason for it than
desire to report that the colt was doing
well. Penn, who had formed a cordial
fric ndsh for him, pressed him to stay
all night, and he gladly accepted the in
vitation
Presently Penn was called away on
some business, and Austin strollcd into
the paddock. lie was stroking the
tilly's nose, when Marcia came up beside
him.
'NIr. Gaudaur, am glad to sec you,
she said frankly "You have won the
affection of the fly
He barcd his lead, but something in
her eyes prevented him from uttering the
commonplace gallantry that was on his
lips Instead he said:
81 am fond of horses and kind to
them. -
Then you are good to the colt?'' she
observed interrogatively, with something
of her former mlschicvousncss.
He did not seem hurt by her intima.
ton that he was hostler or q jockey,
but simply said:
81 should not treat the colt badly"
His eyes wandered over the fields to
the far away mountains, while she
looked upon the ground as if she sought
for four leayed clovers. They were en-
barassed. She made an cndcavor to over
come the trying situation by offering an
apology for her rudeness on his former
visits He gravely admitted that she
had wounded him, whereupon she flushed,
and with bow left him. His eyes
fastened on the mountains again, while
the tilly, tired of him, followed Marcia.
THAT was oppressive" he observed,
as he lcaped the fence near him and went
to the barn.
The evening was rainy, and pcrforce
host and guest at the Elder farm re-
mained under cover. For while they
sat on the piazza, and Marcia, reclining
on sofa just inside the open window of
the parlor, heard the tales rccounted by
the visitor. 1t was very entertaining, and
his witty sayings were rewarded with
many hearty laughs by his listeners. He
d d not ask for her, and her father and
Penn seemed to forget that sue existed
Her mother was Il quiet woman, accus-
toned to spend most of her evenings
alone.
Finally Marcia went to the piano and
began to play sonata. Her fingers
slidcd over the keys, and when the
music began to possess her she became
conscious that that the conversation on
the piazza had practically ceased.
''That's my sister, Marsh, she heard
PEN say.
She paused to listen for the reply.
"Ah." the visitor calculated in tone
OF polite interrogation, betokening sur
prise.
AK" angrly she dashed into a
roulade, and The keys fairly flashed as
they responded to her. touch. 1t was
pyrotec1nics.
soon the mood passed away and she took
up the air of ballad Through the
low notes she heard the voice of Austin.
"solne5ody caught the runaway" he was
observing in a pla id tone.
Marcia ABRUPTLY left the piano and
went to the widow. Austin rose on see
ing her and said:
7'Miss Elder, if you will play the
accompaniment will sing that song"
lis impcrtinence was beyond endur-
ancc, but unwilling to seem rude, and
also curious to hear him sing, she seated
herset at the piano again he played
in correct time but methodically only.
Befor,a the first verse was completed
her soul was cngrossed with the spirit OF
the music and She played with earnest
feeling.
Mr.. rdler and Fem were delighted
with Ausiin's voice, aud Mrs i1dler ap-
pearcd in the parlor efore the ball I'd
was Gun luded Austin was cnlhus
astically encored Lights were brought
and Marcia produced her music. In the
collection he found many songs that he
knew. She accompanied him with
ardor, and the minutes flew. Other
persons were present, Austin and Marcia
knew, yet they had a feeling of one
ness that isolated them from the world.
No one asked Marcia to sing. Austin
did not, and his monopolizing of the
vocal part of the entertainment was done
so honestly that it did not raise the
question of his conceitedness.
1t was dull enough for the party whch
he declared he knew no more songs.
Soon after he quit singing Mrs. Elder
slipped away and Mr.. Elder followed
her. Then PEN made an excuse and dis
appeared. Marcia and Austin looked at
each other, and straightway the spirit of
banter arose in their hearts. Their
acquaintance had begun in badinage,
and with perverse fatality they persisted
in it.
"The runaway is tractable at times,
she remarked, as she toyed with her fan.
And the horse thief becomes u
mountcbacl." he laughingly answered.
"Ano the pretty maid grinds the
organ"
Her eyes were looking at him over the
top of fan.
I'd when we pass the hat, 10. the
audience vanishcsp' He was willing,
apparently, to protract the far>e
Like the street Migrants. we have
played to no curtain Then, quickly
discovering the feeling of association
that her words intimated, she fastened
to observe, yet, unlike the street mu-
sicians, we did not play on the curb"
Here she flushed; words were en-
tangling her. He came to the rescue.
Holding out his hand, he said:
.'Lct us be friends.
A declaration of love at that instant
would have surprised her less. The ces
sation of hostilities almost threw her off
her guard, but she replied
owe really were never anything
else. "
She lot him clasp her hand, To both
tho compromise sqelned n mockery, yet
they vera glad il Tas etfeetad, Without