Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-17
Mi5cellamenMs.
THE BLACK RIBBON.

The gentlemen of Cove house sat up
on the piazza, smoking and looking ut
the sea as il tumbled in, when the even
ing coach, laden with piled up baggage
and passengers, came ruttling down the
turnpike and made the sweep to the
hotel. This in itself was matter enough
for attention, but when, in the wake of
the yellow old coach, just beyond its
clouds of dust, gIittering little pony
carriage rolled swiftly on, 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 uDladencd.
Meanwhile the pony carriage, holding
two girls, rolled smoothly up to sido
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 Han
over, 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 that he did not
know
"It's Miss Payson, Of New York"
said Will Mckenzie, who knew every
body cat any rate, that's her turn
out"
(Which one ~
"The blonde. | suppose never
met her, but she was at Newport with
my sister last season. Nice, amt she p
"Who is the other one ~
II don't know Poor cousin, | 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
gentlemen, the two young ladies and an
invalid child of thirteen with her nurse.
II was soon remarked that they ap-
pcared sufficient for themselves, and
neither sought nor received aequaint-
ances. The fnce of the blonde girl was
as Jolly without 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 con-
cealinp wealth of rich brown hair re-
yealed only the side view Of set of
regular features aud one smooth, fresh
cheek.
"What eau be tho matter 7" aues-
toned the ladies one Of tho other.
So, without the least possible informa-
tion on the subject, Alice Payson was
decided to be an object of misfortune
and compassion, while unconcealed I'D :
miration and adulation were offered the
other one.
cannot saw 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
aconaintanco. and few more attempts
| were tried.
But things Inevitably changed. One
evening when all Cove house was in the
surf scream arose. Tho scream was
followed bv frantic cry:
"Alice / Oh Alice She is drowning !!
Save her save her save her !"
"Who can swim p 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 sweIled against the rocks.
Swim, man, swim y shouted the old
uncle upon the beach
'.Save her, 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. Ito
thought 1t was corpse he clasped as
| he drODDed beneath the surface and