The National tribune., 1891-04-30
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON o. THURSDAY APRIL go 1891

ized by Americans. Not vestige Of her was
"a be found. Once more he haunted Rotten
Row. made the rOuud OF all the theaters, and
on the same Sunday attended service at 81.
Pauls, Westminster Abbey. 81. MaTgarets, and
Surgeons Tabernacle aud n few minues be-
fore the close Of each service planted himself at
tho door to observe every lady leaving the
sacred precincts
lie put an advertisement in the Times to
this effect: If Mis-, Florence Smith. Of New
York, now in England. will please address
McsSIs. Linckes, Katchum & Idnckes, Solicit
ors, Furnivals lnn, She will learn something
TO her advantage"
The advertisement remained unanswered.
lie visited in person al the steamboat offices
to inquire If one Florence Smith had taken
passage for New York; nay. more he sent
telrgrams to the same effect to Liverpool,
Southampton. and Glasgow, but in every in
stance the reply was a sickening No
Then England became positively oppressive
to him, and he went down TO Scotland, intend
ing 10 take passage at Glasgow.
The loved Image rose before the infatuated
young man in the most unexpected and utterly
disconnected places, under positively wonder
ful associations. At Abbotsford he heard
gamekecper hail a brother gamekecper with,
Halloo Smith, how are your" and he said
only. Would that l could greet another
SMITH"
At Melrose he felt tender emotions over
sign on a house in the Market Place informing
the world that one Florence SIicklCjohn was
dressmaker. In Edinboro Castle he saw
beautiful portrait OF Mary, Queen Of Scots with
amber-colored hair, and gToaued in spirit.
lie went to see the latest triumph Of cngi-
neering skill, the Forth Bridge, arriving in the
midst OF naval review. There stood, Tor
get how many hundred Jacks. in their pietur-
esque sailor suits, manning tho yards. Poor
Frank, though an enthusiastic lover Of the
sea, sickened at the sight and returned by the
FIRST coach.
In the Exhibition the marble figure Of n
crying child, the work Of a Florentine sculptor,
moved him to tears. IL is therefore, by no
means surprising that he was IN a melting
mood on the afternoon Of his arrival at lnyers-
maid on Loeb Lomond.
lie sat in the open bay Of the dining room,
commanding fine view Of the loch and the
picturesque hill-eOuntry beyond. This was
the fourth lake he had seen in the last few
days. lt was four weeks 10 a day since his
visit 10 the old castle and the vision of the
Four Lakes. lie sighed at the remembrance
Of that vision, and Of the other on the boat.
His eye roamcd over the beautiful mountains
40 their sombcr vcsper dress, Observing the
shadows of the fecting clouds that decpened
their green side. Presently a bit Of sunshine
culivencd the velyety veTduTe, waving under
a gentle breeze, recalling the glory Of the
emerald sea of the West Pier. The clouds soon
oyershadOwed the sunny spot.
Nothing but clouds" he thought; they
are too melancholy for anything
Lost in this sad rcverIe, and ObliviOus OF
what was passing within the softly -carpeted
room, he had not noticed the presence Of other
guests at the table behind him until he heard
the sound of a sweet musical voice addressing
the waiter. lle turned. aud starting 10 his
feet, stood there in blank amazemcnt
Was he awake. or dreaming dream? What
vision Was this that dazzIed his retina2 10!
there, at this very table barely two feet distant
from where he stood. IN All the splGndor Of her
glorious beauty, sat the lady in the ssilOr-suit,
aud. by her side, the familiar form Of her com
paniOn.
The ladies seemed to share his astonshment,
and exchanged glancCs An uuerring intuition
told Frank that tins was the crisis, the supreme
moment Of his life. lie felt hot aud cold at
the same instant; an eieCtric current shot
through his frame and touched him 10 the
quick.
Almost uncorsciously be bowed to the ladies,
saying something about uuinteutioHal intru-
sion, aud apologizing for not having risen at
their coming
DO not apologize. sir" said the radiant one
with the amber-colorcd hair falling over her
shoulders; you have not iniruded. We
mst0Ok you for my brother, who usually Occu-
pies that seat, fcasting his eyes on the charm
ing view"
Frank again bowed In recognition. and, per-
cciving that the ladies did not resent his pres
cnce by rising, sat down IN the char 10 which
lac had been 80 proyidtntislly directed.
Now that the leo was broken, Frank was
racking his brain how 10 launch upon the sea
Of conversation, when young gentleman, Of
a size aud figure not unlike his own, and wear
ing hunting suit similaE 10 his, came up 10
the table, aud, at sight Of him, exclaimed very
cordially
why Frank, this is an unexpected pleas
urc. When did yOu get herey"
Roger." said Frank, ' ] am delighted to
meet yOH. / arrived an hour ago. and prOyi-
dcutiaily. though quite unintenIonally, took
your lavoTitc seat"
Stay where you are, Frank" said Roger.
" You have as good right 10 il as !. But let
me make you acquainted with tie ladies. Flo.
this is my class mate. Mr. Rcadc: Frank, my
sister Florence. Cousin Lucy, my class mate,
Mr.. Reade; Frank, my cousin, Miss Lucy
Green
Frank bowed 20 tho ladies and the ladies
bowed 10 him. The situat on was cleared. How
they laughed over the incident all through tea,
and after that meal ON the stroll TO the wooded
nights of InycTsnaid. Roger and Lucy led the
way; Frank aud Flo followed
Twilight fingered long on those nights that
lovely summer day, but not too long for Frank.
His tongue was loIs.d. and he felt 10 use his
own cxubcrlnt language, like one trausfgured.
All the gloon had faded from the landscape;
all the thick clouds had vanished, and the thin,
leecy clouds that still hung around the mount
ain-tops were aglOw W lth sympathetic Joy, and,
like the stars beyond them, prophetic of a land
Of promise.
The week that followed was spent at Inver5-
maid, aud one Of imperishable memory How
many delightful tramps they took through gOrse
Snd heather, over fell and moor, on those pretty
mountains. How many hours they rowed and
sailed on tho lOeh, exploring every nook and
Granny of its romantic waters. OF course they
discussed Rob Roy and Sir Walter, and cited, or
rccited, Scotch poetry.
Aud bit by bit Miss Flo learned this and that
and Miss Lucy asked all sorts Of trying qucs-
tiOus.
IL would be indiscreet TO 90 into the details
OF long series Of disclosures, surprises, con-
fessiOns. together with the interTOgatOries TO
which they led. Suffice it TO say that they
kindled fame which seemed destined to burn
for time and for eternity.
The discreet reader will understand that
Frank took Roger into his confidence, and that
Flo had no secret from Lucy. After few DAYS