The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1890-06-18

and the laughter and the chat min
gled win the plash OF the white
capped waves.
Ethel Isaned against the railing
and watched the ripples gliding by.
Very lovely she was looking, in the
soft creamy folds of her yachting cos
tune, vilh the bars of gold across it;
and thefEi,ite wings in the little sal
lor hat Lord Eenyll at her side
gazed ..her in approval, and con-
sidered ber AN awfully jolly little
girl. He bad met her that day for
the firsi lime, and had Immediately
surrenderel All the morning he
had monopoIized her, and Mrs. Van
Zandt distance Watching the
perforni'lpce with great satisfaction.
Alrei5 81, in her minds eye she
saw he'feIf installed as mother.in-
law in lord FenylI's magnificent
country nonse, She saw herself scat
ed in bis beautiful carriage, smiling
and bowling to congratulating
friends, she beheId in fancy his
famous town-house filled with her
guests, she saw-and the rose-col-
ored vision foated quite plainly be-
fore her eyes, blotting out the sea,
and the sky, the ship and scenes on
deck. Mrs. Van Zandt had dozed
off very comfortably.
1t is possible that her slumbers
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 cup of chocolate,
as he returned neglected his usual
caution in holding on, so that the
unlucky man, ere he reached her,
has succeeded in distributing the
entire 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 precipitate as his
entrance.
Here was Toms chance. He had
been lowering in the distance like a
bird of prey, and now he swooped
down on Ethel with elacrity His
face was wreathed in smiles as he half
coaxed, half compelled her to follow
him to corner, where for the pres
ent they could be comparatively
alone.
"But, Tom," she pleaded, "mama
she is watching me. 1 can't stay
here"
"Just wait minute" he began,
imperatively. 81 have been trying
to speak to you all day, and that
glass eyed little cad would not give
anyone else chance. You must
listen to me for moment. 1 have
an idea, thought. have evolved
a plan which is really stroke of
genius" And then, abruptly: Ethel,
is your mother fond of youl"
"Why, yes, of course"-in sur
prise.
"But l mean very fond. What
would she do if she were TO loose
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 youI Is
the sea breeze too much for you2"
"Ethel, do you love mef' he
queried, irrcverantly.
All the laughter had left his face,
and she saw only the passionate
love and magnetism in his blue ey es
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 wan
ton breeze blew stray tendril
across her cheek.
"You know it" she said, simply.
Was that kiss? The sea gulls
could have told, but they never did.
"Then, Ethel,' he said, al have a
way. 1t is little dangerous, L will
not deny that. If you love me,
dear, as well love you, you will not
fear.
The hand in his trembled slightly,
but she made no protest.
81 cannot give you up, this is a
remedy, but desperate
cases need such. 1 am going to
make a heroine of you. You must
fall over the rail into the water"
aTom," she gasped, staring at him
with wide eyes.
aYes-wait You must fall into
the water, you see, and then / will