Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-05-11
81 shall not leave the hotel to.

81 shall not leave the hotel to-
day."
$50 sorry that l cannot remain
with you, dear, but the green grot-
to is too tempting
"Nannette Nostrand! You never
could think of going there alone y
"AlOne? OF course not. The Ia
lies at the hotel are going, and
/ Mr.. Fithian.
Knowing by the expression OF
her countenance that the best thing
/ | could do was to ignore my refus'
al of a few moments before, put
on my wraps and we Joined the
other boarders who were calling to
us from the hall below.
Nan was a great fayorlte with
the young people, and after all, Il was
obliged to own to myself that there
was not much impropnety In our
Joining the hotel party, but was
not as well pleased when, upon
nearing the grottO, we were obliged
to get into small boats, and Fithlan,
the guide, took the oars to the one
of which we were the only Occu-
pants.
But my uneasiness was soon for
gotten amidst the beauties of the
place we had come to explore.
The grotto appeared at first but
a cavity in the rocks which had
been washed out by the waves.
1t was very long and narrow, and
the light which seemed to be re-
fected from the emerald walls
about us was of a strange green
tint, the boats and their occupants
as they crept away from us grow
ing of a deep blue-green hue.
We rowed about for sometime
admiring the dark green waves,
the rocks OF various shades OF the
same color, the delicate pea-green
of the foam where the water broke
against the rocks, and the trans
parency of the tinted water.
At length the guide spoke. "Do
YOU see that break in the rocks
youder 7"
Nan, whose behavior had been as
different from that of the past few
days as was possible, reused her
self and replied that she did.
"That is one of the entrances to
the cavern which opens into grotto'
Would you like to see the cavern p
"The others said, "are there
before us undoubtedly"
Nan was very eager to rejOin
them, and we we're soon in a dark
passage between the rocks, but
our guide assured US that it would
grow lighter as we proceeded, and
in a measure it did so.
After a very uncomfortable time
in the darkness, we saw the glim-
mer of lamp which was burning
in a niche of rock a head of us.
awe leave the boat here" said
the guide.
81 do not see anything of our
friends said Nan, doubtedly, as
we stepped from the boat upon the
rocky floor of the cavern.
"There are several entrances to
the cave,' said Flthian, with, l
thought, a sinister look in his 0ye.
''They must have landed at some
other place"
never felt more apprehensive of
danger in my life, bat remained
silent while the man lighted a torch
from the lamp and began to show
us the beauties of the place aud
pointed out the different shapes Of
the stalactltes and stalagmites with
which the cave abOunded.
Nan, too, seemed to be uneasy.
and soon said, "Mr.. Flthian, ] think
we will return now. Our friends
are not here. Why did you bring
US here 2"
"Because | love you, Miss Man,"
replied our guide, throwing of bis
delerential air; "that is why |
brought yon here. | know, too,
that you love me, and, more than
that, l know that you could never
marry we with the consent of these
fine friends Of yours. Therefore,
dearest, 1 have formed plan for a
most romantic marriage without
their consent"
"You egotistical wretch" Inter
. rupted Nan, 81 will never marry
you. love you, indeedw
The scOrn in her voice seemed to
awaken a demon within him.
"You will be glad to marry me-"
he hlssed. Your looks and actions
. for the past week have convinced
every one that you love me, and
you do"
! "Bah! | was only amusing my.
! self" said Nan, with a reckless
ness which made me fear for our
safety. "Get into the boat, Mol
I. lie, we will return at once.
"You will not return" Missed
Fithlan with a diabolical look
"You will never ace the light Of
day again unless you become my
l wife. Say the word and | will &c
for minister at once, and to.mor
row the papers will be filled will
' the news of the discovery of thu