The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-16

touched when Robert came down stairs
bearing a slight figure in black, shawled
and heavily yelled. He had borrowed an
invalid chair from one of the boarders,
wherein he tenderlv placed his burden,
and then proceeded to wheel it carefully
down the broad walk to the pier, where
Natalie was waiting.
81 didn't dare be there when you
brought it out" she whispered hysteric-
ally.
But she need have had no fears, for
one old lady remarked to Miss Vance,
"How the poor woman trembled as he
held her in his arms"
Miss Vance assented, adding that he
was dear, good boy to take such care
of an invalid like that.
He and Natalie propped Mrs. Van
couver up in the stern seat with back,
drew her shawl closer about her aud her
veil tightly over her face, and then they
started for the cove.
Snch good time as they had! Their
lunch basket was under the seat, and
about six o'clock Miss Vance and the
old lady might have been shocked to
have seen Natalie seated calmly upon the
PROSTATE body of Mrs. Vancouver, while
Robert crouched Turk fashion on the
1t was very late when they came back;
Miss Vance had it in her mind to scold,
but Robert prevented that by calmly as
surfing her that he wanted to return
hours before, but his aunt wouldn't con-
sent, and he was afraid of the result if
he didn't humor her in her whims.
Natalie said she was tired out, and
crept off to bed.
Every one in the hotel grew to take
great interest in the mysterious Mrs.
Vancouver. Robert was questioned each
morning as to what kind of night his
dear aunt had spent, whether she ap
peared benefited by the change of air,
and various other questions which some
times almost caught him mapping.
A helpless invalid always calls out the
best side of people, and many choice
delicacies found their way up to Mrs.
Vancouver's room, and, sad to relate,
Robert and Natalie grow fat feasting
upon them. If their kind-hearted donors
had seen them in the cove, devouring
basket of early peaches or dollhouse
grapes, their trust in humankind might
have left their hearts forever.
1t was almost the first of September
They were going home tomorrow,
Natalie in one direction and Robert in
another. 1t did not matter so much,
since by-and-by they were to be always
school and Robert had begun practicing
law; but they felt that they must say
goodbye to the cove that had been the
means of bringing it all about.
The day was cold and the lake looked
dark and sullen; but Robert told Miss
Vance that Mrs. Vancouver insisted
upon going, and as she had grown so
accustomed to Natalie, he thought she
had better go to. He would try to per-
suade her not to be long, and so Miss
Vance said Natalie might go.
Very tenderly Robert lifted Mrs. Van
couver as he thought of all the good
service she had done him and Natalie,
and away they went to the cove, where
Natalie cried little at the prospect of
leaving the spot in which they had spent
so many happy hours together. They
made a VOW to each other to come here
on their wedding trip.
Robert succeeded in persuading Mrs.
Vancouver to remain but very little
time, for the lake was growing rough
and white-caDped To think that the
treacherous water should play them such
a trick at the very last But for that
Miss Vance might have remained in
blissful Ignorance of how it all came
about to this day.
Robert rowed with will, and Natalie
hung on tightly as the white-capped
waves tossed higher and higher and
threatened to swamp the boat. They |
were nearing the shore now, and Miss
Vance and all the boarders stood on the
pier, anxiously watching their progress. |
But, alas! one great wave higher than |
rll the rest ruthlessly swept over the |
little boat, bearing Mrs. Vancouver away |
on its white crestl
A dreadful cry of horror went up from |
the spectators, and Miss Vance tainted
and was carried to the hotel.
Robert made no effort to saye his |
drowning relative, but continued to pull |
for the shore, where he was met by ex-
Carnations of sympathy on all sides.
Members of the life-preserving station
were just manning boat to go to the
rescne of the unfortunate lady.
Explanations followed, and then con-
gratulations. Natalie crept with some
misgivings up to her aunt's room. That
lady had partially recovered, and was
sitting with her face in her hands, rock
ing dismally to and fro.
"Oh, Natalie" she exclaimed as that
young lady entered the room, chow shall
l ever shut out the awful sight? To see
her struggling there before my very face
and eyesp'
And then, when Natalie had told her
the whole story, she breathed deep
sigh of relief. but added in tone of
hOrror,-"Wasn't it lucky it wasn't his
aunt? She might have been drowned