Milford chronicle., 1891-03-27
THE BLACK RIBBON.

US
Messengers, came rafting down the turn
pike and made the sweep which led up
to the hotel. This in itself was matter
enough for attention, but when, in the
wake Of the yellow old coach, just be-
vond its clouds Of 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
panting with the tug through the heavy
sand. while the driver leaped down, and
with much tumbhng and crashing OF
trunks the old stage was unladened.
Meanwhile the pony carriage, holding
two girls, rolled smoothly up to side
door. and three waters were instantly
in attendance upon them
The ladies ahghted, and the two dis
appeared at the private door Of the Cove
house.
.sWho are theyg" asked Paul Hanover,
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 ont at sea, replied quietly thst he
did not know.
"I1's Miss Payson, of New York, said
Will Mckenzie, who knew everybody.
cat any rate, that's her turnout"
(which oneg"
"The blonde, I suppose. 1 never met
her, but she was at Newport with my
sister last season. Nice, amt shef
@Who is the other one:'
81 don't know. Poor cousin, l pre-
sume."
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 Ave Of their party-the old
gentleman, the two young ladies and an
invalid child Of 10 with her nurse. 1t
was soon remarked that they appeared
sufficient for themselves, and neither
sought nor received acquaintances. The
face Of the blonde girl was as iQlie With
out tho 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 conceahng
a wealth of rich brown hair revealed
only the side view Of a set Of regular
features and one smooth, fresh cheek.
s.What can be the Inattery questioned
the ladies one of the other.
So. without the least possible informa-
ton on the subject, Alice Payson was
decided to be an object of misfortune
and compassion, while unconcealed ad-
miration and adulatOn were offered the
other one.
1 cannot say 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 ac-
ouaintance, and few more attempts were
fried
But things inevitably changed. One
evening when all Cove house was IN the
surf scream arose. The scream was
followed by a frantic cry:
.sAlicel Oh, Alice! She is drowningl
Save her! save heri save herl'
ssWho can swim was the cry.
Long before it was answered Fame
King was seen striking out boldly foT
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 swelled against the rocks.
"Swiln, man, swimW shouted the old
uncle upon the beach.
Save her, oh, for Gods sake" cried
Maud, wringing her hands.
But within a few strokes of Fame
Kings outstretched arms Alice disap
peared.
There was already death upon hei
closed eyes and pallid forehead. He
thought it was a corpse he clasped as he
dropped beneath the surface and caught
her sinking figure
1t was with difficulty he arose to th'
surface. Thrice the great billows rolled
over his head before he appeared. H'
could only hold himself and his burder
off the cruel rocks. Already his arm
was lacerated with their sharp teeth.
They had put out boat, and it a
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. 1t showed NOR
plainly in the otherwise deadly pallor o
her sweet face, for sweet it was, an'
pure as a child's. They covered face an'
figure reverently, thinking her quit
dead, and rowed back while Fame foun'
his way up the rocks to have his han'
wrung speechlessly by the agonized ol'
man.
Il don't think she is dead, Mr.. Pay
SON" said Fame. remembering with
thrill the silzen hair which had washes
against his lips. "Sae cannot be deadl
She was not dead. In three days sh
appeared among them again, faireI
gentler, sweeter than ever, and frankl
grateful for the interest everybody be
frayed in her. And then it came on
that there had been a mistake. 1t wa
Alice who was the heiress and Maud tn
Door cousin, though as beautiful, as "a
diant and perfect as a Hebe.
Miss Alice Payson, with the black iii
bon replaced, tried to thank Fame Kin
on the first day Of her temperance, bu
her brown eyes filed and she only said:
"You are young; life is sweet to yot
it was noble in you to risk yours for m'
1lr. King"
Fane's heart swelled so that he hardl
knew what was the matter with hin
But, somehow, the friendly clasp {
Alice Payson's light hand and the gaz
Of her sweet eyes affected him as Il
hand or eyes had ever affected him b
fore.
The ice once broken, beyy of gentl
men strove for the attention Of the cou
ins. Paul Hanover was foremost.
he was very handsome, fair, brillian
graceful. He was not poor either. Ear
remembered that bitterly as he saw hii
srolHng with Alice on the beach or dri'
ing for her the little pony carriage. II
own peace and comfort seemed suddenl
gone. Miss Payson's gentle friendhne
Eupepsy.
This IS what yoh ought % have, in iaet,y