Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-10-11

September drifted into October. On
a smooth lake some little distance from
the house, and idle boat with idle oars
was floating down with the current.
The moonlight played at will on the
placid breast of the lake.
Such the picture had one been mere
spectator to the mimic scene-but to the
two actors surroundings were lost sight
of-thev thought only of themselves.
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 laughter
of the group on the bank from which
they had just escaped. Arch smiles had
passed between its members as they had
seen Dorothy Viner and Jerome Fleet
we'll 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 exercised her
destinations men bowed before her
first from necessity, then from choice.
But, though her victims were countless,
she was twenty-four and Dorothy Viner
still. However, this time she had en-
countered Cher little sister said) a 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
7T,o,,-h;1o tho lit+1o hnof
floated calmly on the surface of the
lake.
Miss Viner Dorothy
It was the first word either had uttered
in full tel minutes. She looked quickly
up at the speaker.
Miss Viner," he repeated, calmly,
''did you know we were in danger"
''In danger?"
The dreamy look faded from her face,
the color deserted her cheeks and, shiver
ing heavily, she glanced up at the blue
vault where sailed SO majestically the
Goddess of Night-down into the dark
depth OF the waters, only to see the
silvery moons brilliancy reelected 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 to-
night. We are in danger from each
other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant flushing
of blood to her cheek! She felt it glow
like warm crimson rose, even while
she raised her little head almost defantly,
as though to hurl challenge at his au-
dacity 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 i'll riddles, Lieutenant
F'leetwell," she returned coldly. 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 palmer still?
You shall have your wish. A week
longer under the same roof with you,
week more of exposure to your fasclna-
tons and my ship would go to wreck and
ruin on the bar unless''-he leaned
nearer, his voice grew softer, more full of
tender feeling, and his hand fell on hers
very lightly, but with caressing grace
'Eunless, Dorothy, you would let it float
your pennon and guide it into the safe
harbor of your love"
She had been wooed many times, in
many climes, by many men, but nothing
had ever moved her as this woOing, on
this moonlight night in October. Yet
this sOldier-this man-dared tell her
that in another week this all might come
to pass.
"a week hence" she said to herself
bitterly, land the fame might SINCE him.
Now his wings are all unscorched. He
does not say: 4 love youn In time
might love YOU Was he then to win
so easy a victory Never"
LET us 90 home" she interrupted in
a constrained voice. sit is growing
chilly"
''Dorothy, is this my answer"
"Your answer?" with an assumption of
surprise. Il was not aware of any ques-
ton"
you shall not have even this excuse.
Will you be my wife2'
His voice was coarse and stern, and
his grasp frightened on her hand.
You hurt me Lieutenant Fleetwell, "
she complained petulantly, making an
effort to withdraw her fingers.
Instantly he released her.
II see that l hurt you," he returned
courteously, and took up the oars.
"Pardon me, = he continued, 4 will not
dc it again"
4 few bold strokes and the boats keel
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later