The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-02-21
THE BLACK RIBBON.
Its Part in Alice Payson's Love
Story.

The gentlemen of Cove house sat upon
the piazza, smoking and looking at the
sea as it tumbled in, when the evening
coach, laden with piled up baggage and
passengers, came rafting down the turn
pike and made the sweep which led up
10 the hotel. This in itself was matter
enough for attention, but when, in the
wake of the yellow old coach, just be-
yond its clouds of dust, a glittering little
pony carriage rolled swiftly on. a dozen
pair OF lazy eyes grew interested and ex-
pectant.
The coach drew up with a 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 a 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 theyT' 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 hist he
did not know.
Its Miss Payson, of New York" said
Win Mckenzie, who knew everybody.
"At any rate, that's her turnout"
Which oneY'
"The blonde, ! suppose. I never met
her, but she was at Newport with my
sister last season. Nice. amt she?'
"Who is the other oneg'
Il don't know. Poor cousin, I pre-
sumo"
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 10 with her nurse. 1t
was soon remarked that they appeared
sufficient for themselves, and neither
sought nor received acquaintance. 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 a set of regular
features and one smooth, fresh cheek.
"What can be the natter questioned
the ladies n 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 adj
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 &C
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 q frantic cry:
"Alicei Oh, Alicei She is drowningl
Save herl save heri ave herr
who can SWIM" wa 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, swimF shouted the old
uncle upon the beach.
Save her, oh, for Gods sake!" cried
Maud, wringing her hands.
But within a 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
of 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. 1t showed more
plainly in the otherwise deadly pallor of
her sweet face, for sweet it was, and
pure as a 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.
II 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 deadP'
She was not dead. h 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 a mistake. It was
Alice who was the heiress and Maud the
poor cousin, though as beautiful, as IA
diant and perfect as a Hebe.
Miss Alice Payson, with the black rib
bon replaced, tried 20 thank Fame King
ON the first day of her temperance. but
her brown eyes filed and she only said:
s'You are young; life is sweet to you;