The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-10-19

" Qua uoh hl'nn nhch, dfnf .HiSS RogrrS,
~ trIt you to finish your DINNER uionc.t"
One young man WAS assurc.lly very
much smitten, for, hastily pushing back
his chair, he quilted his place and fol
lowed lier out Of the room Ills .Amcri-
can friend looked after him with Il slight
smile. Guess he must have few ac-
quaintanccs, since he is SO keen to speak
to this one" she Thought, rcsigning her
self to the fact that for once her charms
had proved rcsistibIc Miss Rogers did
not hurry, but finished her meal dclib-
erately and thoroughly enjoyed it. She
had found that making the most of good
things, especially at other peoples OK
pense, paid best, and if she didn't actu-
ally say her grace for an excellent din
ncr, at any rate she felt duly thankful
for the same.
1t was deliciousscnsation, coming out
Of the stuffy atmosphere of the dining
room into the cool, soft evening air. Miss
Rogers drew deep sigh of delight, and
forgetting all about her charge, she left
the hotel, crossed the road and wandered
along the avenue Of trees which skirts
the lake. 1t had been Il tremendously
hot day, but with sunset little baby
breeze had sprung up which gently and
lazily beat against the gayly colored
buntings and awnings which adorned
the pleasure boats, and swung the little
paper lanterns to and fro SO that the
lights were reflected in the water like
bright gems flashing from a very dark
setting.
For almost All hour Miss Rogers paced
slowly up :nd down, then at last she re-
grctfully turned her steps toward the
hotel. The hall was lighted brilliantly,
and the visitors were standing or sitting
about in groups, and the contrast be-
tween the dark, still night outside and
this light and glamour within caused
Miss Rogers to feel tlazcd and blinded.
AS She stood lcsitatng at the entrance,
she heard Alicc's voice, and saw her nd.
vancins across the hall towards her, ac-
comp:.nel by stranger. The girl came
quite up to her and laid her hand upon
her arm, almost afrcctionately, and call
ing her for the first time by her Chris
tian name, said:
81 have been looking for you every
where, Anna. have been quite long
ing to Introduce you to Mr.. Vanbruton"
Miss Rogers bowed, and when. after
few commonplace remarks on that we'll
worn topic the weather, he turned to
speak TO Alice, she looked at him search
ingly, and with an eager interest.
And so this good looking, but seem
ingly rather weak youth, was her in
tended victim, and Mr.. Vanbruton was
young, and not middle aged as somehow
she had imagined him from Mrs. Pattcr-
sons vague reply to her question con
ccrning his age. Well, so much tho bet
ter; the conquest would not be SO diff
cult
"Alice is certainly pretty, and am
plain; she has the advantage of ne in
that respect" she thought as she fol-
lowed the two upstairs to their private
sitting room. But still, she is almost
school miss, with not much ideas be-
yond mild Irritation. while am Il
woman who knows something of life:
We shall sec who has the stronger will"
The sitting room windows opened on
to a balcony overlooking the lake, and
cxclaiming at the beauty of the night,
Alice stepped out.
1t was very beautiful. Tie moon had
just risen, and the lake, touched by its
cold, soft rays, had become radiant and
gloriticd.
y little boat was setting off from the
shore, laden with two happy, lkshins
mortals: they shot out into the broad
belt Of moonlight, and then disappeared
into the darkness beyond.
Who, gazing upon SO calm Il scene as
this could ever imagine such thing as
storm? And yet perhaps in half an hour
those wonderful mountains may be hid
den, that deep blue sky, studded with
millions of heavenly lamps, be overcast
and black with threatening clouds, and
that gentle breeze Transformed into a
moaning wind Iashiny the ripplcs into
waves.
Where will be that little boat: Wreck
ed, wrecked and drifting away, leaving
the lovers, hand claSped in hand, peace
fully lying many feet below in the dark,
water, quite safe now from
the cruel storm.
Miss Patterson did not invite the Young
man to follow her, and he stood uMcer-
tainly by the window, looking after her
but feeling that it mi.h, be us
well to be polite to the 'companion
CONTINUED.