The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-10-18

IL very soon became apparent 70
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
us he saw how hopelessly and ire
trievably in love his friend had fallen
with Miss Viner before many days
had elapsed.
september drifted into October. On
smooth lake some little distance
from the house an idle boat with Eidle
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 lost sight of-they thought only
of themselves.
Mocking the silver moon when they
glanced upward, they see could across
the lake and through the trees the
twinkling lights OF Hutton 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 saw Dorothy Viner and
Jerome Fleetwell stroll off 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 eX-
ercised her destinations men bowed be-
fore her-first from necessity, then
from choice.
But, though her victims were count
less, she was "a and Dorothy Viner
still. However, this time she had en-
countered cher little sister said) foe
man worthy of 'her steel. What she
was among men, Jerome Fleetwood
was among women. Therefore, see
ing these two brought under the same
roof, and thrown into daily inter
course, rumor was rife, and specula-
ton awaited results with bated breath.
Meanwhile the little boat floated calm
ly on the surface of the lake.
Miss Viner!-Dorothyl"
1t was the first word that either had
uttered in full ten minutes. She look
cd 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 meeting the earnest gaze OF the
dark, magnetic eyes bent upon her,
hers fell for an instant. Then, as
though ashamed of the momentary
weakness, again shot questioning
look into Lieut.. Fleetwell's face.
Miss Viner," he repeated, calmly,
'did you know we were in danger9"
I'm danger2'
The dreamy look faded from her
face, the color deserted her cheeks
and, shivering heavily, she glanced
up at the blue vault where sailed Sc
majestically the Goddess of Night
down into the dark depth of the waters,
only to see the silvcry moons brill
fancy reflected there, around, about
her. All was peaceful.
mo, F." he said, III answerto her look,
mot from any of these. The moon,
the wind, the waterfall are our
friends tonight. We are in danger
from each other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant rush.
ing of blood to her cheek! She felt
even while she raised her little head
almost defiantly as though to hurl Q
challenge 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, Lieut.. Fleet.
we'll" she returned, coldly. II 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 palmer still2 You shall have
your wish. A week longer under the
same roof with you, week more OF
exposure to your destinations and my
ship would go to wreck and ruin on
the bar; unless"-he leaned nearer,
and his voice grew softer, more full
of tender feeling, and his hand fell
on hers very lightly, but with caress.
ing grace-''unless, Dorothy, you
would let it float your pennon and
guide it into the safe harbor of your
love"
She had been wooed many times,
and in many chimes. by many men,
but nothing had ever moved her as
this wooing, on this moonlight night
in October. Yet this soldier-this man
dared to tell her that in another week
this all might come to pass.
Others had sworn to 60 from hel
presence to put an end to the existence
che had rendered miserable, or had
vowed that henceforth woman's smile
would be gall and NORWOOD, Oh
pleaded that she had shorn their man
hood of its strength and rendered
their life a burden.
This ono did none of these things
While his strength yet was his he saw
and met the danger.
"a week hence" she said to herself
bitterly, land the flame might SINCE
him. Now his wings are all unscorch
ed. He does not say: L love you |
In time 1 might love your Was he
then to win so easy victory9 Neverp
"Let us go home" she interrupted
in constrained voice. ut is grow
ing chilly"
Dorothy, is this my answers"
"Your answer" with an assump
ton of surprise. II was not aware o.
any question.