The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-12
THE BLACK RIBBON.

The gentlemen Of Cove mouse sat upon
the piazza, smoking and looking at the
SEA NJ il tumbled in, when the evening
coach, laden with piled mp baggage and
Passengers, came rattling down the turn
pike and made the sweep which led up
10 the hotel. This in itself was matter
enough for attention. hut when, in the
wake Of the yellow old coach, Just be-
yOnd its clouds % dust. 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 mp to q side
door. and thrre 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 theyg- asked Paul Hanover.
withdrawing his cigar frum his mouth
and turning his handsome blue eyes on
the friend at his elbow.
Fame King. who was looking Thought
fully on; ut sea, replied quietly that he
did not know.
Its Miss Payson. Of New York" said
viii Mckenzie. who knew everybody.
AT any rate. that's her turnout"
Which one
The blonde. suppO~e I never met
her, but she was at Newport with my
sister last season. Nice. amt sheg'
Who Is the other ONE
Il don't know. Poor cousin. I pre-
sumo"
Hanover and King RELAPSE TO their
cigars; hut everybody WINS thinking
more OF less Of Miss Payson.
The ladies appeared at supper. There
were only five 81 their party-the old
gentleman. the two young ladies and an
invalid child IL ~ with her nurSa. II
was soon remarked that they appeared
sufficient for Themselves, AMI neither
sought nor received acquaintance. The
face If the blonde girl was as jolie with
ont the jockey hat rs with il, hut the
profile of her companion only was TO I've
seen. A broad black rihbun bound
around the chin and nearly cUncealing
q wealth &c rich brown hair revealed
only the side view az SIT uf regular
features AMI uns smooth. fresh cheek
what can be the maiter:- questioned
the ladies one If the other.
So. without the least possible infOrma-
ton on the subject. Alice Paysun was
de-ide,l TO bs an object of misfortune
aud COMPASSION, while uncuncealed al
miratin anl adulation were offered the
other one
cannot say that either appeared much
affected 10y the regard of those around
them. Certainly they spoke to no one
for a; least thr'e weeks. People became
discouraged about making their &c
quaintancr. AMI few more attempts were
tried.
But things inevitably changed. One
evening when all Cove house was in the
surf n sCrcan HruSe. The sCream was
followed by a frantic cry:
Alice! Oh, Alics! She Is drowningl
tnNANN MI NV AitIA cANf
Who Can swim wac the cry.
Long before il was answered Fame
King was seen striking out boldly for
the spot.
But he hal some forty rods TO swim,
and IL was probable that Alice Payson
had SINK for the SECOND time while the
strong tide swelled against the rOcks.
Swim. man. swim shouted the old
uncle upon the beach.
''Save her. Oh, for Gods sake!' cried
MRud, wringing her hands.
But within q few strokes Of Fame
Kings outstretchtd arms Alice disap-
peared
There was already death upon her
closed eyes and pallid forehead. He
thought il was q cUrpse he clasped a. he
dropped beneath the surface and caught
her sinking figure
II was with difficulty he arose 20 the
surface. Thrice the great pillows rolled
over his head before he appeared. He
cOuld only hold himself and his burden
OF the cruel rucks. Already his arm
was laoerated with their sharp teeth.
They had put ont \ boat, and il 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 large. dull red, dis
colored mark appeared Il showed more
plainly in the otherwise deadly paIlor Of
her sweet face. for sweet it was, and
pure as a child'S They covered face and
figure rsvepntly, thinking her quite
dead, and rowed back while Fame found
his way mp the rocks TO have his hand
wrung sPeechlessly by the agOniEed old
man.
81 don't think she IL dead, Mr.. Pay
s0a,- said Fame. remembering with Q
thrill the silken hair which had washed
against his lips. ''She cannot be deadF'
She was not dead In three DAYS shs
appeared among them again, fairer,
geutlef. sweeter than ever, and frankly
grateful for the interest everybody b.
tTsyed In her. And thea Il came out
that there had been q nistake II wa
Alies WhO was The hairess ard Mad TIE
raR osa1in, thezgA e hssutifnl asn-
- ~ PE1sS 0sE1n !