Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-06

look down again, it must be borne in mind that the water from my hair was dripping into them. They gazed for a moment, however, and this is what they saw:-
 At first only another pair of eyes, of dark grey eyes twinkling with touch of merriment, though full at the same time of honest grati- tude. It was some time before l clearly understood that these eyes belonged to face, and that face the fairest that ever looked on a summer day. First, as my gaze dropped be- | fore that vision of radiant beauty, it saw only | an exquisite figure draped in a dress of some white tilmy stuff, and swathed around the l shoulders with q downy shawl white also, | across which fell one ravshing lock of waving brown, shining golden in the kiss of the now | dropping sum- Then the gaze fell lower, l lighted upon a little foot thrust slightly for ward for steadiness on the banks verge, and | there rested.
 | So we stood facing one another. "How can I thank you?" | Hooked up. Yes she was beautiful, past all criticism-not tall, but in pose and figure | queenly beyond words. In her right hand 1 she held a carelessly-plucked creeper that | strayed down the white of her dress and dropped over the high firm instep. And so my gaze dropped to earth again. Pity me. I had scarcely spoken to woman before, never | to beauty. Tongue-ted and dripping stood there, yet was half inclined to run away.
 :" And yet, why did you make yourself so wet? Have you no boat? Is not that your l boat lying there under the bank?"
 Somehow felt sbsurdly guilty. She must | have mistaken nay glance, for she went on = " Is it that you wish---!" and began to search in the pocket of her gown.
 "No, no, I cried "not that
 I had forgotten the raggalHess of my clothes now hideously emphasis vi ny my bath. Of course she took me for b'Isar. Why not? 1 I looked like one. But ae thA thought flashed 1 upon me it brought unu :Crable Humiliation. Sine must have divined some of tho agony in ! my eyes, for n tiny hand wes suddenly laid 1 on my arm and the voice said
 Please forgive me; I was stupid, and am so sorry.'
 Forgive her? I looked up for an instant and now her lids dropped in their turn. Presently she glanced up again, and the grey eyes were now chastcIy n4erIy.
 But it was odd to swlnl when your boat was close at hand, was it not?" 1 looked. fAltered, met her honest glance, and we both broke out into shy laughter.
 "Yes it was odd" I answered, but it secmed-the only thing to do at tho time.'
 She laughed low laugh again. ! Do you generally behave like that?' 1 "I don't know.
 There was a pause and then added:
 'You see you took me by surprise" | "Where were you when first calledF' she asked.
 "Iying in the grass close by.'
 'Then"-with a vivid blush-"you must have"
 Heard you singing? Yes"
 Why did you not warn me that had an audience?"
 .'Because, in the first place, I was too late. When you began I was-"
 'What?" she asked as hesitated.
 "Asloep."
 And I disturbed you. am so sorry."
 'I am not"
 was growing bolder as she became moro embarrassed. l looked down upon her now from my superior height, and my heart went out to worship the grace of Gods handiwork. With touch of resentment she drew herself up, held out her hand, and said somewhat proudly
 T thank you, sir, for this service"
 I took the hand, but not the hint. It was an inf1nitesimal hand as it lay in my big brown one, and yet it stung my franc as with some delicious and electric shock My heart beat wildly and my eyes remained fixed upon hers.
 The color on the fair face deepened shade the little chin raised full inch, and the voice became perceptbly icy.
 II must go, sir. hope have thanked you as far as I can, and"
 And what?"
 Forgive me that was about to offer you money"
 Forgive youl" cried "Who am I to for give you? You were right: I am no better than begger
 The red lips quivered and broke into smile a tiny dimple appeared, vanished and re- appeared; the hats brim nodded again, and then the eyes sparkled into laughter: , A sturdy begger, at any rate.''
 It was the poorest little joke, but love is not ; exacting of wit. Again we both laugh, but this time with more relief and yet the en- barassment that followed was greater.
 "Must you go?" asked as I bent down tc pull the boat in. II really must" she answered shyly; and then as she pulled out tiny watch at hel s waist" Oh I am late-so late. I shall keeI , mother waiting and make her lose the train What shall do? Oh, pray, sir, be quick" l A mad hope coursed through me pointed o the boat and said: "I have made it so wet. If you are late
 better let me row you. Where are you going?' l ITO Streatey; but cannot-" V "I also am going to Streatley. Please le e me row you: I will not speak if you wish it, V Over her face, now so beautifully agitated | swept the rarest of bushes. " Oh no, 1t iE
 not that, but can manage quite well" he
 manner gave the lie to her b-T.ve words "ane
 I shall not mind the wet Q If I have not offended you, lot nae row. : "No, mo-"
 | "Then have offended" e "Please do not think so." Il "I shall if you do notlet me row." l. Before my presidency she wavered and wa! y conquered. But my boat?" she said. 1t will tow it behind and in the glat 7. success of my hopes I allowed her no tim Il for further barley, but ran off for my owl e boat tied the two together. and gently helped l her to her seat. Was ever moment so sweet l. Did ever little palm rest In moro eager han' than hers in mine during that one heavenl l. moment? Did ever heart beat so tumult d ously as mine, as pushed the boat iron W under the boughs and began to rew2 d Somehow as we foated up the still river,
 hush fell upon us. She was idly trailing he l. hand in the stream and watched the ripple 6 d it broke and sparkled through her fingers. Il Presently she glanced up, met my burnin ]! eyes, and looked down abashed.
 Forgive me, I could not help 1t"