Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-04-25

her, nor do | intend to give you up.
Well seer'
And a little later, as Ethel went softly
up stairs, she thought to herself how wise
and brave he was.
The day was glorious; the salt breath
of the sea swept over the yacht; the gulls
dipped and rose; the little Graf danced
along-yes, it was a glorious day. The
gay party on deck were enjoying it to
the utmost. and the laughter and chat
mingled with the plash of the white
capped waves.
Ethel leaned against the railing and
watched the ripples gliding by. Very
lovely she was looking, in the soft creamy
folds of her yachting costume, with The
bars of gold across it, and the white
wings in the little sailor hat. Lord Fcnvll
at her side gazcd at her in approval, and
considered her an awfully jolly little
girl lie had met her that day for the
first time, and had Immediately surren-
dered. All the morning he had monop-
olized her. and Mrs. Van Zandt. at dis
lance, was watching the performance
with great satisfaction.
Already, in her minds eye, she saw
herself installed as mother-in-law in
Lord Fenyll magnificent country house;
she saw herself seated in his beautiful
carriage, smiling and bowling to congrat-
ulating friends she beheld in fancy his
famous town house Glled with her guests;
she saw-and the rose colored vision
floated quite plainly before her eyes,
blotting out the sea and the sky, the
ship and the scenes on deck. Mrs. Van
Zandt had dozed off very comfortably.
1t is possible that her SAUNDERS would
not have been SO peaceful had she beheld
the next act of the drama. Ny lord in
his eagerness to fetch Miss Van Zandt a
cup of chocolate, as he returned neglect
ed his usual caution in holding on so
that the unlucky man, ere he reached
her, has succeeded in distributing the en-
tire contents Of the cup over his jaunty
yachting suit. The deck was crowded,
and even politeness could not restrain an
audible smile. His retreat was as pre-
cipitate as his entrance.
Here was Toms chance. He had been
lowering in the distance like bird of
prey, and now he swooped down on
Ethel with alacrity. His face was
wreathed in smiles as he half coaXed,
half compelled her to follow him to a
corner, where for the present they could
be comparatively alone.
But, Tom" she pleaded, "mamma-
she is watching me. l can't stay here"
"Just wait minute" he began, i'm
peratively. 81 have been trying to speak
to you all day, and that glass eyed little
cad would not give any one else chance.
You must listen to me for a moment. |
have an idea, thought. have evolved
plan which is really "A stroke of genius. "
And then, abruptly: ethel, is your
mother fond of your
"Why, yes, of course"-in surprise.
"But | mean very fond. What would
she do if she were to lose you-if you
were drowned, for instance"
She looked at him askance.
Tom, she said suddenly, "you look
sane, but you do not act so. What is the
matter with you? Is the sea breeze too
much for YOU"
l..
irrelevantly
All the laughter had left his face and
she saw only the passionate love and mag
netism in his blue eyes-deeply, darkly
blue they were now. almost black. She
turned a little pale, her quick breath
came yet more quickly. His face was
very near hers, so near that a wanton
breeze blew a stray tendrl across his
cheek.
"You know it," she said simply.
Was that kiss? The sea gulls could
have told, but they never did
"Then, Ethel" he said, Il have way.
1t is little dangerous: | will not deny
that. If you love me, dear, as well as
do you, you will not fear"
The hand in his trembled slightly, but
she made no protest.
Il cannot give you up. This is a DIES.
perate remedy, but desperate cases need
such. / am going to make heroine of
you. You must fall over the rail into
the water
"Tom!" she gasped, staring at him
with wide eyes.
"Yes-wait. You must fall into the
water, you see, and then | will jump
over and save your life. 1t will be easy.
AS soon as you fall | will be overheard
too. Do not he afraid to trust yourself
to me: there is really not much danger
because can swim as well as can walk
1t is the only way, dear, believe me. You
are not afraid?'
She considered little.
81 see, Tom; you think mamma will be
so glad to have me brought back to life
that she will-will let us have our way
"Yes, that is just it" he agreed.
but, oh! is there not some other way,
This is reckless, it is
"Well, Ethel" he said, Il can see nc
other way. | shall be sure to save you
and then-then, little girl, you are mine
for always"
But, Tom" she urged, "suppost
mamma will not yield even them"
"She will, though" he asserted conf
IDENTIFY
Something of his own daring spirit in
fected her. The spice of danger, her full