Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-04-09
THE BLACK RIBBON.

passengers, came rattling down the turn
pike and made the sweep which led NJ
to the hotel This in itself was matter
enough for attention, but when, in thu
wake of the yellow old coach, Just be
yond its clouds of dust, a glittering httlt
pony carriage rolled swiftly on, a doze1
pair Of lazy eyes grew interested and ex
pectant.
The coach drew up with scientific
flourish, and the sweating horses stood
painting with the tug through the heavy
sand, while the driver leaped down, and
with much tumbling and crashing Of
trunks the old stage was unladened
Meanwhile the pony carriage, holding
two girls, rolled smoothly up to side
door, and three walters were instantly
in attendance upon them.
The ladies' alighted, and the two dis
appeared at the private door of the Cove
house.
'Who are they?" asked Paul Hanover,
Withdrawing his cigar from his mouth
and turning his handsome blue eyes on
the friend at his elbow.
Fame King, who was looking thought
fully out at sea, replied quietly that he
did not know.
"Its Miss Payson, of New York." said
Will Mckenzie, who knew everybody.
eat any rate, that's her turnout"
(which onep
'The blonde, l suppose. I never met
her, but she was at Newport with my
sister last season. Nice, amt she?''
"Who is the other one?"
81 don't know. Poor cousin, pre-
sume."
Hanover and King relapse to their
cigars; but everybody was thinking
more or less of Miss Payson.
The ladies appeared at supper. There
were only five of their party-the old
gentleman, the two young ladies and an
invalid child of 13 with her nurse. 1t
was soon remarked that they appeared
sufficient for themselves, and neither
sought nor ved'acquaintances. The
face of the blonde girl was as jolie with
out the jockey hat as with it, but the
profile of her companion only was to be
seen. A broad black ribbon bound
around the chin and nearly concealing
a wealth of rich brown hair revealed
only the side view of q set of regular
features and one smooth, fresh cheek.
"What can be the matter" questioned
the ladies one of the other.
So, without the least possible informa-
ton on the subject, Alice Payson was
decided to be an object of misfortune
and compassion, while unconcealed ad-
miration and adulation were offered the
other one.
Icannot say that either appeared much
affected by the regard of those around
them. Certainly they spoke to no one
for at least three weeks. People became
discouraged about making their ac-
quaintance, and few more attempts were
tried.
But things inevitably changed. One
evening when all Cove house was in the
surf a scream arose. The scream was
followed by a frantic cry:
"Alice! Oh, Alice! She is drowning!
koetNC dCLt SehfO 11C1 save ucI!
"Who can SWIM" was the cry.
Long before it was answered Fame
King was seen striking out boldly for
the spot.
But he had some forty rods to swim,
and it was probable that Alice Payson
had sunk for the second time while the
strong tide swelled against the rocks.
''Swim, man, swimp shouted the old
uncle upon the beach.
"Save her, oh, for Gods sake!" cried
Maud, wringing her hands.
But within few strokes of Fame
Kings outstretched arms Alice disap-
peared.
There was already death upon her
closed eyes and pallid forehead. He
thought it was a corpse he clasped as he
dropped beneath the surface and caught
her sinking figure.
1t was with difficulty he arose to the
surface. Thrice the great pillows rolled
over his head before he appeared. He
could only hold himself and his burden
off the cruel rocks. Already his arm
was lacerated with their sharp teeth.
They had put out a boat, and it at
last came to his relief As they lifted
the senseless girl into the wherry they
saw that the black ribbon had been torn
from her face, and a large, dull red, dis.
colored mark appeared. It showed more
plainly in the otherwise deadly pallor OF
her sweet face, for sweet it was, and
pure as child's. They covered face and
figure reverently, thinking her quite
dead, and rowed back while Fame found
his way up the rocks to have his hand
wrung speechlessly by the agonized old
man.
81 don't think she is dead, Mr.. Pay
son." said Fame, remembering with a
thrill the silken hair which had washed
against his lips. "She cannot be deadr'
She was not dead. In three days she
appeared among them again, fairer,
gentler, sweeter than ever, and frankly
grateful for the interest everybody be-
trayed in her. And then it came out
that there had been mistake. 1t was
Alice who was the heiress and Maud the
poor cousin, though as beautiful, as ra-
diant and perfect as Hebe.
Miss Alice Payson, with the black rib.
bon replaced, tried to thank Fame King
on the first day of her reappearance, but
her brown eyes filed and she only said:
"You are young; life is sweet to you
it was noble in you to risk yours for me
Mr.. King"
Fane's heart swelled so that he hardly