Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-03-27
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.


position in which the voice of my unknown
colloquist had accosted me. In truth and
in fact | was engaged in examining the
padlocked moorings of a graceful little boat
whose keel lay on the shore, and meditat-
ing to myself how very agreeable a row
across the crystal lake would be through
the silence of the purple August daybreak.
"Good morning!' I responded, turning to
meet the inquiring gaze of tall, gentle
manly looking parsonage, apparently about
IS years of age, who stood leaning against
little gate. He was dark and handsome,
| with piercing eyes, a forehead slightly bald,
| and jet black mustache, twisted jauntily
away from small, nervous mouth and his
dress was tasteful and faultless in the last
degree. He had taken off his light straw
hat to greet me, and now stood apparently
awaiting some more definite explanation
on my part.
II beg your pardon, SIR" I stammered,
rather confused; IL hope am not tres
passing on private grounds?"
"Why, sir, you are undenihbly on private
grounds" returned the stranger, smiling,
''but think we won't call it by any such
harsh name as trespassing. You are stay
ing in the neighborhood?"
II am staying at the Lake house for the
summer" explained, land suppose my
morning walk has led me farther than at
first intended"
'sYou are about six miles from the house,
SIR" returned my companion courteously;
''and, judging from your occupation when
came down to the gate, you would not
object to crossing back by water?"
laughed, and acknowledged the fact.
"To tell the truth, sir, was just think
ing how cool and pleasant a short row
would be. In fact, il the boat had not been
fastened I should most assuredly have
braved all consequences, and boldly adj
ventured the experiment"
II think we can overcome that OBJ
iection," said the stranger, quietly turning
to an old ruined tree, whose guarded trunk
overhung the transparent tide, and draw
ing key from it's hollow depths. sSup-
| pose we get up an appetite for breakfast
together? am not an inexperienced oars
man myself, and I suppose you under
stand the art of propelling on the water?"
"Just give me an opportunity, and see if
don't indicate my education in aquatic
Matters" said, in high good humor,
springing into the fairylike little shell,
followed by my new acquaintance. "Real-
ly, sir, this is an unexpected treat. l scarce
ly know how to thank you sufficiently for
your courtesy"
"Then do not attempt" said the gentle
man, inclining his head with dignifed,
high bred politeness which impressed me
more and more in his favor. II assure you
the qualification is entirely mutual. Pull
to the right a little; we shall get entangled
in yonder floating sheet of water lilies if
We are not careful. Upon my word this is
a most perfect morning for the water"
It was indeed! Across the diamond gilt
ter of the lake the golden splendors of an
August sunrise were just beginning to be
reflected, and in the distance a range of
dim, misty mountain peaks leaned against
the horizon like far off sentinels, almost
losing their outline in the blue radiance of
che cioudless heavens,
~ wish were an artistm broke almost
involuntarily from my lips,
My companion smiled.
"Need a man be an artist to enjoy the
beauties of such scene as this?" he asked
ga little more toward yonder point, if you
please, sir. Now we are out in the chan
mel, and you can pull as hard or as easy as
you choose. The boat will almost move of
herself, in fact"
He threw down his oars and leaned back
in the stern, adjusting his straw hat so as
to shield his eyes from the 900 vivid glare
of the morning sunshine,
"One scarcely thinks of civilization in
such secluded spot as this" he murmured
lazily. II suppose there isn't living soul
within a mile Of US, always excepting birds
and fishes"
n suppose not, assented.
"But nevertheless th6 folms and cere-
monies Of society cannot entirely be cast
aside. May know whom have had the
pleasure of helping to an hours enjoy
ment?"
drew my card from my waistcoat
pocket and handed it across with a smile
''Vernon Che#esey, eh2 A very pretty
name, sir. l congratulate myself on max
ing your acquaintance. Will you allow
me to reciprocate your frankness?"
He bowed low as he presented me with a
ernmpled bit Of brown paper that he ex-
traeted from an old cigar case: Upon it
was inscribed, in staring letters Of red ink.
the one word albert"
"Albert-who?" I involuntarily ques-
toned.
s:Albert, sirl'' returned my companion,
starting into a sitting posture and regard
ing me with stern dignity; "Prlnce Albert,
sir! Albert of England, Scotland and
Walesp'
stared at him aghast. Was the man
mad elp dreaming?
$40 your knees, siFl'' he said, with a
sharp, sudden imperiousness. "Haye you
no reverence for royalty?"
/ obeyed his quick sign almost. before
knew what was doing. He smiled com
placently, at the same time drawing a
gaudy tinsel star from his pocket and
grayely affixing it to the left breast of his
goat.
"Yes, my FRIEND" he went on impress
lively, ''you are now in the presence Of tbs
prince consopt of Great Britain! Men have
amused themselves by disseminating the
idle tale that l was dead: that's all they
know about it. I am not dead; and, what
is more, I never shall die. / am privileged
with the gift of everlasting existence. AS
long as wear this jeweled star death can
never come near meW
felt the cold perspiration oozing from
every pore in my body; l could almost feel
myself grow pale as became fully con-
WINGED that | Was put Upon the solitary
lake alone with madman! I had heard,
when first came to this mountain retreat,
that there was a large asylum somewhere
Ill the VlClulJy, Dut Adu utFeT given JIG
affair a second thought. Now was reap
ing the consequences of my own folly and
recklesspess.
His dark, piercing eyes royed aestleaslg
from object to object. Suddenly they
rested on my appalled, countenance.
"You don't believe what I am saying?"
.Xle remembrance of what had often
read and heard about the expediency-nay,
tbs positive neeessity@that existed for tiis
dnlgir9g monomapiacs to the top of theie
bent in whatever whim might possess
their minds, occurred to me, and FASTENED
to replyi ''Of course | believe it! Why
shouldn't fY''
"Ah, why shouldn't you, indeede But
people are so skeptical nowadays. Now,
when Victor Emmanuel was staying at
my house, and Pope Plus came down
by way of the Mediterranean Take care!
where are you going!"
l had thought to take advantage of the
new path into which his troubled mind
had wandered, to direct the eourse Of the
boat shoreWard, but his cunning, rowing
eye was upon me in an instant.
iIt-it is getting very hot here" STAN
mered, Il thought, perhaps, we should
find it cooler on Shore"
ssAh-h-hl" he Kissed, putting his face SO
close to mine as to glare up into my eyes,
o1