The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-03-28
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.

padlocked moorings of a graceful little boat
whose keel lay on the shore, and meditat-
ing to myself how very agreeable row
across the crystal lake would be through
the silence OF the purple August daybreak.
"Good morningP' responded, turning to
meet the inquiring gaze Of tall, gentle
manly looking parsonage, apparently about
IS years of age, who stood leaning against
II little gate. lie was dark and handsome,
with piercing eyes, Il forehead slightly bald,
and a jet black mustacle. 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.
~ beg your pardon, sir" ! stammered,
rather confused; I'll hope am not tres
passing on private groundsi"
'Why, sir. you are undeniably 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 neighborhood9"
81 am staying at the Lake house for the
summer" | explained, land suppose my
morning walk has led me farther than at
first intended"
"You nre about six miles from the house.
SiAt iNpulhSN NY companion NOhEtCOuSiyy
land, judging from your occupation when
/ came down to the gate, you would not
object to crossing back by waterP"
laughed, and acknowledged the fact
ITO tell the truth, sir, was just think
ing how cool and pleasant short row
would be. In fact, il the bout had not been
fastened l should most assuredly have
braved all consequences, and boldly adj
ventured the experiment"
II think we can overcome that OBJ
jection," said the stranger, quietly turning
to an old ruined tree, whose guarded trunk
overhung the transparent tide, and draw
ing key from its hollow depths. Sup
pose we get up an appetite for breakfast
togetherf am not an inexperienced oars.
man myself, and l suppose you under
stand the art of propelling OH the water2"
Just give me an opportunity and see IL
don't indicate my education in aquatic
Matters" I said, in high good humor.
springing into the fairylike little shell,
followed by my new acquaintance. Real
ly, sir, this is an unexpected treat. scarce
ly know how to thank you sufficiently for
your courtesy"
"Then do not attempt" said the gentle
man, inelining his head with dignified,
high bred politeness which impressed me
more and more in his favor. 81 assure you
| the qualification is entirely mutual. Pull
| to the right little; we shall get entangled
in yondcr floating sheet of wnter lilies il
we are not careful. Upon my word this is
most perfect morning for the water"
IL was indeedl 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 hOriuon lika far off 81,
losing their outline in the blue radiance of
the cloudless heavens.
81 wish l were an artistp broke almost
involuntarily from my lips.
My companion smiled.
| Need q man be an artist to enjoy the
| beauties of such scene as this" he asked
| "a little more toward yonder point, IL you
| please, sir. Now we arc out in the chan
mel, and you oan pull as hard or as easy as
| you choose. The boat will almost move of
| herself, in fact.n
| He threw down his oars and leaned back
in the stern, adjusting his straw hat so as
| to shield his eyes from the too vivid glare
of the morning sunshine.
Zone scarcely thinks of civilization IN
such secluded spot rs this he murmured
lazily II suppose there isn't living soul
within mile of us, always excepting birds
and fishes"
II suppose not" Tassented.
"But nevertheless the forms and cere-
monies of society cannot entirely be cast
aside May know whom have had the
pleasure of helping to an hours enjoy
| mentf"
l drew my card from my waistcoat
| pocket and handed it across with smile.
vernon Cheyeley, eh! A very pretty
name, sir. l congratulate myself on MAX
ing your acquaintance. viii you allow
me to reciprocate your franknessi"
| He bowed low as he presented me with a
crumpled bit of brown paper that he ex-
tracted from an old cigar case Upon it
was inscribed, In staring letters of red ink,
the one word Albert"
"Albert-whop involuntarily ques-
| toned.
ALBERT, STRIP returned my companion,
starting into a sitting posture and regard
ing me with stern dignity; prince Albert.
sir Albert of England, Scotland and
/ Walesr'
| stared at him aghast. Was the man
mad or dreaming2
| ITO your knees, STRIP he said, with a
sharp, sudden imperiousness. Have you
| no reverence for royalty"
| obeyed his quick sign almost before /
knew what l was doing He smiled com
| placently, ut the same time drawing a
| gaudy tinsel star from his pocket and
| gravely affixing it to the left breast of his
/ coat.
| ayes, my friend,n he went on Impress
lively, "you are now in the presence of the
prince consort of Great Britainl Men have
amused themselves by disseminating the
| idle tale that was dead; that's all they
know about it. am not dead; and, what
Is more, never shall die. am privileged
with tue gift of everlasting existence. As
long as wear this jeweled star death can
| never come near me!'
felt the cold perspiration oozing from
every pore in NY body; could almost feel
myself grow pale as I became fully con-
WINGED that | was out upon the solitary
lake alone with madmanl l had heard,
when first came to this mountain retreat,
that there was large asylum somew here
in the vicinity, but l had never given the
affair a second thought. Now was reap