The Delta independent., 1888-07-31
A ROMANCE OF TODAY.

This was n ridiculous time of year to be
staying in what was in reality n summer
hotel. There was no help for it, however. A
calamity had befallen Mr. Baniamin Baxter's
town house. 1t was one of row of hand
some marble-front residences, and n fire that
had occurred next door had resulted in his own
domicile being thoroughly flooded with
water as to require almost endles repairs
and renovations to furniture, carpet, walls,
ceilings and the like The firemen, too, had
with commendable zeal, smashed in n large
section of the roof, necessitating considerable
repairs in that direction
Mr.. Baxter, who was retired plumber, be-
lieved in repairing this sort ofthing thorough
ly, and also in personally experimenting the
work Moreover he informed his excellent
wife and dutiful daughter that such was his
hatred of city hotels that he would rig up u
tent and camp out in the vacant lot oppo-
site should they attempt to move into town
before their dwelling was in readiness to re-
ceive them. As for himself, there was no
difficulty; he was comfortably provided for
in the rooms of an elderly bachelor friend in
the same block, right on the ground, where
he could hurry the repairs forward with all
possible speed
Mrs. Baxter, being IA thoroughly amiable
lady, and devoted to her hIsband. acquiesced
in these arrangements, though there was n
good reason why they should be particu-
arly trying to her ut this time.
The cause for her trouble lay in the
men who had persistently laid siege to the
affections of her daughter Ethel all through
the summer. And, in order to obtain an
idea of the exact situation ut this time. Il few
words of explanation are necessary.
The two young men were named respective
ly Mr.. Edgar Ingram and Mr.. Clarence Forbes
They were residents of the same city as the
Baxter family and as n matter of course,
while outwnrdly civil to each other,
were % in reality on terms Of the
vantage of old acquaintance, having known
the family for nearly two years. Mr. Ingram
ON the other hand, was n comparative novel
ty. He had known the family only few
months but had certainly made good use of
his time. He possessed the advantages of n
certain sort of good looks, cultivated man
ners and considerable money. Mr.. Forbes, on
the contrary. had little in the World saye n
handsome figure and II still handsomcr face
He was n struggling young attorney and still
had his way to make. The two, as has been
intimated, had not MS yet come to an open
quarrel, though they had several times come
perilously near it. OF the attitude of the pa
rents it may be said Mr.. Baxter's was
one of total Indifference; he simply
ad9red ado his rt fair-hSired aSh, ,, girl and and
nothing on earth she could not do that she
had mind to. Mrs. Baxter, however, was
not unnaturnlly, strongly in favor of Mr.
Ingram, whose superior advantages in the
way of wealth and position there was no de-
nying. Miss Ethel herself was noncommittal
so far; but, being an extremely dutiful
daughter, was far from being unaffected by
her mothers counsel. Then, too, Clarence
had chosen to be us jealous and hateful as
bear of late. and the desire to demonstrate
to him that she was entirely mistress of her
own inclinations was much too strong to be
resisted.
This morning. dull, gray, unpleasant
morning early in November, Mr.. Forbes
and Miss Baxter had come nearer
to an open quarrel than for
point-blank of tritling with him; she had
torted that she did not wish to trihe with
him an instant longer than he himself
choose to be trifled with, so there. Her
big blue eyes had snapped wickedly as
she said it, too; and poor Clarence had wan
dered away alone down the beach, a very
disconsolate man indeed.
1t was nearly two hours when he returned.
much to late for dinner. Just us he was
turning aside to ascend the slope to the hotel
he caught sight of n small group OF figures on
the beach, and observed lank fisher
youth. with bare feet and a tattered blue
flannel shirt, in the act of lauching II heavy
ynwl. used at this late season for fishing ex-
cursions. Mr.. Forbes hesitated moment,
glanced at the sky, and then walked quickly
down and joined the little party, Miss Ethel
glanced at him indifferently; Mr.. Ingram ac-
corded him with n supercilious nod. Mrs.
Baxter barely noticed him.
IL beg your pardon" began Clarence, bow
ing gracefully, "but venture to hope that
you do not contemplate sail this morn
ing"
"Oh yes, Mr.. Forbes, we did," replied Mrs.
Baxter, cheerfully, with an unmistakable
emphasis on the pronoun.
Clarence ignored the snub and began again:
81 beg you will not think me intrusive, Mrs.
Baxter" he said. "but | Gun lay claim to
enough weather-wisdom to feel certain that u
sail in tub like this to-day may prove ex-
tremely unpleasant, and hope you will not
undertake il"
Mr. Ingram's sneer became more accentu.
ated.
But Clarence looked so handsome and so
earnest that Mrs. Baxter. who was not
valiant soul on the water, might have relcnted.
But Ethel, who got it into her sunny
spoil her sail in 1ngram's company. decreed
otherwise. With Ingram still sneering
industriously, she stepped into the
boat, drew her mother in nfter her and signed
to the fisler-boy and Ingram TO push Of.
Don't be concerned about us, Mr.. Forbes"
y
with us, if You like, and If you are not afraid"
She had no idea that he would nrcept the
invitation, hut it was nll he was Whiting for.
The boat was ten feet from shore, but he ig.
nored the ruination wrought to his handsome
drab trousers and gittering patent feathers
and rushed through the strip ofwater clutch
ing the gunwale just in time to be drawn into
the now rapidly-moying craft. Both ladies
gaye vent to n cry of surprise Mt this extra
ordinary proceeding, and Mr.. Ingram so far
forgot his task of sneering as to laugh
little. Clarence said nothing,
but glowered at him very savagely and clam
bered down into the bow, where he croucled
down. very cold, very uncomfortable and al.
together miserable
He had not been there Ave minutes before
he began to feel thoroughly thankful that he
was there. The yawl wns under nainsail,
top snil and jib, and by and by her old timbers
fnirly crcacked with the way she was flying
through the water The wind was almost dend
off shore and increasing every moment. Mr..
Ingram stood at the tiller and directed the
boy in the manipulation of the sails. Ethel
fairly shouted with glce ut the mHgnificencc OF
the run, and Mr.. Ingram almost felt compcn-
sated for his rivals presence.
1t was not long, however, before Mrs. BaN-
ter noticed the extreme haziness of the shore
line and began to realize the distance they
were out. In spite of Etbel's protest she
peremptorily bade Mr.. Ingram put the boat
about and make for the shore.
1t was not until the young man attempted
to put her orders into execution that those
on board realized tide force of the wind that
was blowing. 1t came with great powerful
gusts and made u horribel singing sound ny
it swept through the scanty rigging Then.
too il suddenly beanie apparent that while