The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1891-06-25

We We ai theSe IoluSS. but tueu, htsIS,
We seem te havo no Washington! d.,
Robert j. Buriette. =.
SHADOW LAKE. ~. =
Good morning. sir-a lovely day."
I started rather guilty from the stoop-
ing position in which the voice OF my
unknown colloquist had accos,cd me.
/ was engaged in examining the pad
locked 1noorirgs OF graceful little
boat. and rleditating to myself how
very agreeable a row across the crystal
lake would be.
Good mo-ningr' l responded. turn
ing to meet the inquiring gaze OF tall,
gen,lemanly-lool parsonage. ap-
pareptly about thirty-five years of age.
who stood leaning against u little gate.
Il beg your pardon. SIR" l stam-
mered. rather confused; IL hope I
am not trespassing on private
grornds?"
why. sir. you are undeni:,bly on
private grounds, returned the stranger
smiling, but l think we won't call it
by any such harsh nalne US tresspass-
ing. You arc staying in the ncighbcr-
hood?"
Il am staying at the Lake house for
the summer" l explained. TO tell
the truth, sir. was just thinking how
cool and pleasant short row would
be. In fact. If tho boat had not been
| fastened should most assuredly have
braved all consequences and boldly
adventured the experiment
IL think we can overcome that OBJ
lection" said the stranger quietly turn
! ing TO an old ruined tree. whose gnarled
trunk ovcrhung the transparent tide.
and drawing n key from its hollow
depths. Suppose we get up an appe-
tite for breakfast together?"
Really. sir. this Is EN- unexpected
treat. scarcely know how to thank
you sufficiently for your courtesy" step
ping into the fairy-like shell and talk
ing an Oar.
Then do not attempt said the
gentleman inc!ining his head with q
dignifed. high-bred politcncss which
impressed me mere and more in his
fsvor. al assurd you tho qualification
is entirely mutual. Pull to the right q
little; wo shall get entangled in yonder
floating sheet of water lilies. II we are
not careful. Upon my word this is q
most perfect morning for the water"
al wish l wcro an artist broke al
most involuntarily from my lips.
Ny companion smiled.
Need a man be an artist to enjoy
he asked. "a little more toward yon-
Ger Point. II you please. sir. Now We
are ont in the channel, and you can
pull rs herd or as easy as you choose.
The hoat will almost move OF herself.
In fact"
Ho threw down his oars and leaned
hack in the stern. adjusting his straw
hat SO as to shield his eyes from the
too vivid glare of the morning sun
shine.
"Ono scarcely thinks Of civilization
in such secluded spot us this" he
murmured lazily, Il suppose there
isn't living soul within Il mile of us,
always excepting birds and fishes"
81 suppose not" l asscnted.
"But. nevertheless, the forms and
ceremonies OF society Gun not entirely
be cast aside. May know whom I
have had the pleasure of helping to IN
hours plcasure?"
I drew my card from my waist-coat
pocket. and handed it across, with a
smile.
Vernon Chevcley. oh? A very
pretty name. sir. / congratulate my
self on making your acquaintance.
Will you allow me to reciprocate your
frankness:"
He bowed low as he presented me
with u cruinple1 bit OF brown paper
that he extracted from an old cigar
case. Upon it was inscribed, in star
ing letters of red ink, the one word.
"Albert."
"Albert-who?' Iinvoluntarily ques-
toned.
ALBERT sir" returned my compan-
Ion, starting to sitting posture. and
regarding me with stern dignity.
Prince Albert, sir! Albert of Eng
land, Scotland and Wales!"
1 stared ut him. aghast Was the
man mad or dreamingp
ITO your knees. sir!'' he said. with
sharp sudden imperiousness. Have
you no reverence for royalty?"
obeycd his quick sign almost be-
fore l knew what was doing. He
smiled complacently. at the same time
drawing gaudy tinsel star from his
pocket and gravely affixing it to the
left breast of his coat.
'.Ycs, my friend" he went on i'm
pressively. '.you are now in the pres
ence of the prince cOnsort Of Great
Britain! Men have amused themselves
by disseminating the Idle tale that
was dead; that's all 1. Y know about
It. am not dead. and what is more.
l never shall die. / am privileged
with the gilt Of everlasting existence.
As long as l wear this jeweled star.
death can never como near me!''
l felt the cold perspiration oozing
from every pore in my body. could
almost feel myself grow pale Us be-
came fully conl inced that l was out
upon the solitary lake alone with
mailman. l had heard when first l
came TO this mountain retreat that
there was 4 large asylum somewhere in
the vicinity. but had never given tho
affair second thought. Now l WAS
reaping the consequences OF my own
folly and recklessness
riIs dark, piercing eyes roved rest
lessly from object to object. Suddenly
they rested on my appalled, counten-
anco.
You don't believe what am say.
ing?- take care! Where arc you
golng?"
/ had though. to take advantage OF
the new path into which his troubled
mind had wandered 10 divert our course
Il little more shoraward, but his Cum
ming, rowing. eye was upon me in an
instant.
lit is getting very hot here" /
stammcrod. Il thought. perhaps, We
should find it cooler on shore"
.'Ah-h-h!" he hissed. putting his
face so close 10 mine ~ TO glarc right
up into ny eyes under the vcry shadow
of my wido brimined hat; you're a trail
tor and II hypocritc; like all the rest
of 'cm! But I'm prepared for you
Soe?"
And with a b,,rst Of Iauohtar so dia