Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26

But Mr.. Florin bravely onereu 70 Ses
them although he knew II would DO the
ruin OF his psnts) il she were not Afraid
to await his return. So he started Dacx,
Diana telling him she would wait 'or
him where the path crossed the stream
below.
The rain began pouring now. and half,
frightened Diana hurried back ana
crossed the stream on the stepping
stones.
When Mr.. Florin returned he found
her standing on the opposite BANK,
evidently in great distress OF mind. And
no wonder. In the first place abe mad
crossed at the wrong place. The pain
suddenly terminated after going lew
yards upward, and on either hand the
sheer cliff came down TO the waters
edge, completely shutting off all means
of egress from The little oblong plot IN
that direction. 1t was only o few
minutes before Mr. Florin's return that
Diana realized her situation, and when
she went to recross the creek she found
that, unperceived by her, it had risen
greatly in the short time intervening
since she had crossed. and that the
stepping-stones were completely sub
merged, thus preventing her return.
Mr.. Florin was very sympathetic and
ell that, but he did not offer to make al
effort to release her. He had damaged
his pants with mud and water already !;
he feared they would be ruined by the
time he reached the hotel; he knew they
would be if he waded through the water
10 carry Diana across. So bidding her
wait, he hurried off through the rain Tor
help.
1t seemed to her an age that she wait
ed. At last she saw the figure OF man
coming rapidly up the gorge on the OPP
posite bank, and when he came closer
she recognized Mosely.
He hailed her cheerily, and plunglng
boldly into the little torrent was soon By
her side.
81 am go glad you came" she said.
with a faint smile, though her voice
trernbled and tears were yet in her eyes.
"And | was so glad to come" said
Mosely. and he straightway told her the
reason why.
"Never was maid in this manner
wooed," certainly not at such time and
in such place. "The thunder pealed
the rafting craGs among" the lightning
zigZagged about them, the rain beat
against them as they stood under the
umbrella, and the waters seethed and
fretted st their feet. But mosely was
determined to improve the opportunity,
the only one he would have.
"Now, Diana," he said, when he had
told her Of having been called away, 81
want you to answer that question which
| asked you on the cliffs the other day,
and which you have never had an oppor-
to reply to. Will your"
Like every woman, Diana loved to
tease n lover, so she said pettishly:
"Mr. Mosely, surely this is no time
for all this. am very wet and want to
hurry to the hotel ; / am afraid L shall be
sick"
al am afraid so too, but now or
never" be said resolutely.
essay Yes darling" he said IN ten
der tones
ooh it all seems so strange, she said.
"Our acquaintance is SO short, and the
first time you saw me / was asleep on the
ground over there, and"
"But that won't matter when you are
my wife," he said audaciously. An
swer me quick, Diana; the water is
rising fast now. Say Yes dearest" he
added.
ayes, then" she said, trying to pout
her pretty lips, but she did not audibly
object to the kiss and embrace with
which he replied.
"Yonder comes Mr.. Florin, she said
domurely, as she saw him and laborer
approaching from down the glen
But it was too late then.
"MEADowDEyE, Va, July q, 1890.