Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-23
What arc you going to do down
there fu said Dick IN ournriae

What arc you going TO do down
there 7" said Dick IN surprise.
Oh, nothing. Pm not going. But
Davidson is. You remember Davidson p
capital fellow. He's used up. he writes,
and IS going in boat of some kind be
Talk 70. Here, I'll just read what he says
Dear Colonel 49, the Riley rs. Steuger-'
stop, that's got nothing to DO with 1t: he
pops the invitation into Z. >. Come ON
Tomorrow"
Dicks head whirled and his heart beat
wildly. uc saw through the scheme be-
tore 10 was half divulged. For single
instant he was up in rebellion. and then
FAINT and heart-sick he only cared TO be
let alone. His father wanted him out OF
tho way Vol, no would go: but God.
what crushing defeat He would end
his life: then perhaps she--they--
MellI" He was conscious ut last OF
tho ColoncPs voice raised in strange and
querulous tone.
" It's a jolly chance, isn't 1t "said Dick.
"Of course III 90 and be glad to-"
On that last night no could not keep
away from her. A sudden inspiration, a
something that said 10 might never be
again, gave him the courage to go, and he
went with his heart In his mouth. The
Colonel was there-a room full. But she
received him 30 graclously, talked with
hun apart; and following sweetly his
| timid cue led him st length around into
the open air and moonlight where he
could gaze at her boldly. His longing for
her IA sno stood there before him, too
beautiful 10 be true, brought tears to his
eyes. lie wanted to reach out his arms and
crush her TO him, face. lips, aud all. She
had seated her,ef on the low railing which
edged the piazza and WAS swinging one of
I ~. 4. IL
hIs face "a he stared out 10 sea and tired
hard 10 smile easily and stiil the throobing
of his hear, and the choking in his throat
and tho trimming of his eyes. She looked
Of them and wondered she had never noted
their brillance before. He did not dare to
speak; he only grew hot and cold he had
I half mind TO make d break OF 1t Tor tho
| hotel. Then she came TO his rescue with
quiet commonplace:
so beautiful tonight
Isn't IT,"
lyon weren't at the wash to-day?"
/ "No."
Il never saw 80 many funny people in
ms life. Some OF them We're shocking"
! How
/ Mas Gail was not prepared for this; nm
/ explanation wouli be a ticklish matter: 80
/ she only iwtchcu Guout and lbughed
/ softly. Ter embarrassment was needles,
! he did not recall word OF What she SAID.
/ she began again:
DO YOU 20 with us to tho Branch to-
/ morrow"
No, l am gong away on the early
train"
You are? Fox tho day?"
| For the season.
He spoke so softly that she had leaned
slightly forward t. catch his reply. II
B vas plainly such a surprise to Ter that ,ho
R sudden start and stitiening OF her form a.
most unbalanced her on the railing. He
reached out to catch her. but IN a trice
/ she was on her feet confronting hun.
They both laughed; no very neryously.
| she ended with a sigh. Their hands touch
/ cd and hers WAS hastily withdrawn. but he
seized and claspcd 1t impusIyely. How
/ soft IL W. and warm and yielding; Il sent
"a glow and tingle from bis head 10 hi'
/ feet; II ciouded his BRAIN: it locked his
lips, though he felt ne was fud Oh the hot
test, maddest speech. Yet it was easy
enough Tor her TO say in tone that thrill
cd hm:
~ here do YOU 90, and why?'
He had not the agility OF intellect TO take
her question up aud reply to 1t severally
and IN order. so he only sald in despair
ins tone:
She either misunderstood him or feigned
/ TO do so ; for she struggled TO withdraw
3 her hand, until seeing the ambiguity Of his
reply. be hurnedly added:
Il mean what's the sense Of my staying
/ here when there's no hope for mo Z"
Don't be absurd" she said. turning hel
| burning face towards the moon and the
sea.
lie leaned eagerly forward and gazed a.
her. She was smiling and her eyes were
/ full.
"Oh. no." DO pleaded clasping her e
him. and speak ing hoarsely with his hot
lips breathing against her crimson cheeks
Don't play with me, don't lie 10 me. il
You care for me say So,
Poor Gail; the truth Will never he
known. ehe was very happy. pantlae
there on his breast. At this hour she
doubtless would confess as much, but
there for ono brief instant forever mono
rable in tho life Of both hers was JOY
without words. Then with faint cry she
came 70 her senses. They wer9 not 4
dozen feet around the bay-window from #
group Of guests. suppose Corlnne, or -
but COTinne was enough.
"Oh, please. please." she impiorel
wrenchin, herself all crumpled and torn
with emotion from his itching, cage
arms.
None too soon.
"Ah, Dick. you here7 I've just been
telling why, Miss Gail, is il you?" said
the Colonel, and he paused in his words
and approach as # petrIied. lie had ac
costcd them gaily aud Dick, who had
grown cold as ice at the first sound of hi;
voice. breathed freer as he caught its tone
which seemed to give ample assurance that
they mad not been seen. But tho sudden
change and stop COMPOUNDED him. 1t va
! Gail who broke the silence with perfect
aplomb.
$50 sorry, Colonel" she said, "were tC
lose your SON.