The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-11-02
A SOLITAIRE.
BY FRANK ~. SIAUtFER.

the massive buildings with their
towers, balconies aud quaint archi-
tecIural conceits. Il was such II
picturesque view that the young Am
erican toarist gazcd upon IL with raj :
turo.
The Stiffness was broken by the
dipping of an oar near by, and he was
made aware of the fact that close 10
the left of him brook flowed through
the shrubbcry into the river behind
him. lie turned his face ththcrward,
and waited.
Presently boat shot out into the
river, aud lie saw that the occupant
wss young girl with plant figure,
bright face, aud exquisite grace in
her movements.
He was rs plainly defined In the
moonlight as she was, but she did not
happen to glance toward the terrace
She was in such a happy mood that she
gave vo;ce 10 IL IN song:
"Was there ever maid more fair,
Or truer lover,
Seen beneath the moonlight rare
On the Downs of Dover?
The Downs, the Downs,
On the Downs Of Dover.r
A second verse followed. and the
young mau stood spcIlbouud. Never
had he heard a voice so sweet, so flex-
iblc, so distinctly articulate. The
melody was fresh, pleasing, ,vivacious.
She disappeared beyond the trees
which lined the river, her voice dying
pleasantly away.
lie had just turned to depart, when
several wild, piercing shricks came to
his ears, aud hc kncw that the fair
singer had met with some disaster.
He ran swiftly along the path which
skirted the shore, reached an opening
among tho trees, aud saw her strug-
Cling in the wafer, the overturned
boat drifting away from her. lie
plunged into tho river and rescued
her, carrying her along the path to the
terrace.
She was able to stand upon the lat
ter, and had entirely regaiued her
consciousness. She cast rncful
glance at her wet aud draggled attire,
aud then lifted her handsome ewes TO
the face of the young man WHO had so
gallantly rescued her.
"Sir, l am extremely grateful to
you," she said, sweet tremor in her
voice.
Her screams had been heard at the
house, aud her father aud male do
mcs'ic came hurryiug TO the spot. The
former was burly man, crisp Of
speech and st0lid in his manner.
The daughter told him of the mis-
hap and rescue. lie bestowed a sharp
glance on Brice Rutherford, and said:
''Scnd ne your address and I'll
compensate YOU"
The naughty tone aud the unap-
preciative glauce angercd the young
American.
"fou don't owe me anything" hc
coldly said, as he turned upon his
heel.
"Sir, repeat i'll am extremely
graleful!' cried the young girl, with
fcrvent glance and an impulsiye
grasp of the hand.
Her father walked with her up the
terrace, the footman followed at their
heels.
The fair English lady had left some
thing in Brcc Rutherford's hand when
she pressed it. 1t was valuable
solitaire. very uniqae in its setting.
"Humphp he CALCULATED, US he
strobe toward the highway which lad
to the adjoining village.
Six years later found him at one of
tho celebrated watering -places In this
country.
A handsome. intelligent, vivacious
young English heiress was attracting
the attention of the beaux, and he
soon became as worshipful as the rest
of them.
Hc fell violently in love with her.
He proposed to her in an impeluous
way, but much to his chayrin, he
vas rc;ro'sd.