The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1889-10-10

H. =
intense, eager admiration which
flashed into Lieutenant FIeetwelf.
eyes as they rested upon her face.
She was very beautiful-there could
hardly be two opinions upon that
point She was small, though Queen
like; and her dress Of some soft cream
colored material, which fell around
her in soft folds, showed the beauty
Of figure which was nothing less thar
perfect
"Lieutenant Fleetwell- Miss Viner.'
said Mrs. Hurlton. quietly, and Mis-:
Yiner bowed slightly, while the faint
est tinge of pink rose in her fair face
as she met Lieutenant Fleetwell's
eager, dark. admiriug eyes.
Hurlton Top was one OF the very
pleasantest houses in the county tC
stay at, for the hostess exercised the
greatest discretion and judgment in
the choice OF her guests, and spared
no pains to make their visit an enjoy
able one. Mrs. Hurlton was, like
many another happy wife, match
maker at heart.
1t very soon became apparent TO
some Of her lady visitors that their
pretty hostess had designs against the
peace Of mind OF her husbands cousin
and Fred Edgerly smiled to himself
rs he saw how hopelessly and ire
trievably in love his friend had fallen
NTH Me- Viz, b,fa~., ,~,.r.- ls,-z a.. 4
elapsed.
September drifted into October. On
a smooth lake some little distance
from the house. an idle boat with idle
oars was floating down with the cur
rent The moonlight played at will
on the placid breast Of the lake.
Such the picture had one been a mere
spectator TO the mimic scene-but to
the two actors surroundings were los
sight of-they thought only OF them
selves.
Mocking the silver moon, when they
glanced upward, they could see across
the lake and through the trees the
twinkling lights of Hurlton Top and
hear the merry voices and gay laugh
ter OF the group on the bank from
which they had just escaped. Arch
smiles had passed between its mem
bers as they had seen Dorothy Viner
and Jerome Fleetwell stroll of arm in
arm to where the little boat was
moored.
The women had almost ceased TO be
jealous of Dorothy-or to ask where
lay her charm. When she exercised
her destinations men bowed before her
first from necessity, then from
choice.
But though her victims were count
less. she was twenty-four and Dor
othy Viner still. However, this
time she had encountered Cher little
sister said) foeman worthy Of her
steel, What she was among men,
jerome Fleetwood was among women.
Therefore. seeing these two brought
beneath the same roof and thrown
into daily intercourse, rumor was rife
and speculation awaited results with
bated breath. Meanwhile the little
boat foated calmly on the surface Of
the lake.
Miss Viner!-Dorothyt"
Ii was the first word either had ut
tered in fun ten minutes, She looked
quickly up at the speaker. The white
knit scarf thrown carelessly upon her
dark hair, out from which peered the
beautiful pale face, lent her some OF
the moons mystic charm. but meet
ing the earnest gaze Of the dark. mag
netic eyes bent upon her. hers fell for
ON instant Then, as though ashamed
of the momentary weakness, again
shot a questioning look into Lieuten-
ant Fleetwelrs face
Miss Viner," he repeated, calmly,
did you know we were in danger?"
.'In danger?"
The dreamy look Iaded from her
face, the color deserted her checks.
and. shivering heavily. she glanced
up at the blue vault where sailed so
maiestically the goddess Of night.
down Into the dark depths of the
waters, only 10 see the silvery moons
briilianey reflected there, around.
about her All was peaceful.
No he said. in answer to her
look, mot from any Of these The
moon. the wind, the waterfall are
our friends tonight. We arc in dan
ger from each other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail TO make apparent the instant
flushing Of blood 10 her cheek. She
felt il glow like q warm crimson rose,
even while she raised her little head
almost dekantly, as though 10 hurl
at his audacity. Men had
made love To her in many forms. but
always as suPpliants- This man dared
TO suppose her in equal danger with
himself?
You deal in riddles, Lieutenant
Feetweu," she returned eoldly. Il
am accustomed to plain speech. ~
Rather say that plain speech IS to
you an unknown tongue, and that ]
am the first man who has dared TO
speak frankly. Would you have me
speak plaiuer still? You shall, have
your wish. A week longer under the
same roof with You, a week more OF
exposure to your destinations. and my
ship would go 70 wreck and ruin on
the bar; uuless"-he leaned nearer,
his voice grew sosSer, more ful Of
tender feeling. and his hand fell on
hers very lightly, but with caressing
grace unless, Dorothy. you would
let il hoat your pennOn and guide it
into the safe harbor Of your love,
She had been wooed many times. In
many cIimeS by many men, bat moth
ing had ever moved her as this WOO
ing on this moonlight night in OctO-
Der. Yet this sOldier--this man
- III 49, .f-us s~ ~s.1t h.,.- vrs..-'t-