Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-04-02

MS two sisters, his brother. you, Robert,
and Lucia, and mother to matronize us.
oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Lucia.
"Of course l should like nothing better
than to go.
"And You, Robert ?" questioned Jack.
"Thank you. AS your guest, | shal
be pleased to GO" he replied, but there
was no warmth in his tone. TO tell the
truth, he was thinking what fine op.
portunitv this was for Perkins to monop.
oize Lucia. Probably they would be-
come engaged, he thought bitterly.
He saw no more of her the next day
than before. She seemed necessary to SO
many peoples happiness, and requisite
for the success of any gayety at the ho
tel. She was SO simple and unaffected,
30 merry and happy, that her presence
always brought sunshine.
1t was so on board the yacht. She
was always on deck, and many anil
them under the starlight.
The weather was unusually good but
there came at last a two days storm !:
they had all stayed below, making candy,
acting charades, playing games, and sing
ing. At last, when the waves were
growing more furious and the wind
raging violently, some sudden impulse
made Lucia look up to Robert, and say
with a smile:
you are the best seaman here: take
me on deck, please"
There was general protest at this. but
she carried her point. After hning much
tossed about they reached the deck and
attempted to walk up and down.
you will have to cling close" he said,
drawing her hand through his arm.
The waves were like mountains, tho
rain beat against them, and the wind
blew almost a hurricane The color
glowed in Lucia's cheeks, her eyes shone
with unusual brightness.
"Oh, how subime!" she exclaimed.
81 could live on the ocean; yet it is ter
rible, after all, " and she shuddered a lit
tie.
A sudden lurch of the boat threw her
from him, and she would have fallen had
he not caught her in his arms. Her silky
hair brushed his cheek, and he felt his
heart beating against his breast so that it
seemed as if she must feel it.
This is something of a gale" she
laughed, as womanlike, she first recov-
cred self possession.
They soon went below, for the storm
ragged more furiously. Robert saw
strange expression in Perkins's eyes, but
he was conscious of wonderful elation,
and could still feel the magic of the
sweep of those silken locks across his lips.
The next morning dawned clear and
fair, with no hint of the previous storm
except the wonderful blue of the sky aud
the blue green of the sea.
Lucia was pacing up and down tho
deck with Perkins when Robert came up; ;
,hen she went below to finish her pack
ing. for this was the last day. They
We're only few hours from the harbor
now.
When she appeared again she went aft
and leaned against the rail, looking back
over the ocean, Robert joined her there.
Are you sorry that this is our last
day." she queried.
1T has been delightful to me, he an
Gwered, then stopped, fearing to trust
himself to say any more.
AS usual there was call for Lucia, and
Robert had only time to ask for waltz
for that evening.
His vacation was over. The next day
he was to return 70 New York and the
law. He could not understand his in.
terest (he did not call it love yeti in Lu-
cia.
She was surprised to find him SO good
a partner, and they waltzed and waltzed
until the music stopped; then he begged
her to go out on the piazza, He drew
her lace wrap about her fair shoulders.
and it thrilled him to see how beautiful
she was.
They had hardly reached the piazza
when the orchestra began playing and
Mr. Perkins came to claim her for the
dance.
Robert sat in the shadow and watched
them through the window. When the
dance was over they came out and
walked by him. They were talking low
and earnestly, and as they stopped where
the light from the door shone brightest
Robert saw Lucia bend to look at ring.
He rose as they went like one dazed.
1t was nothing more than he expected,
yet it came like cruel blow.
He met Lucia as she was crossing the
threshold,
II have come to finish our promenade,
she said, smiling,
He felt like cursing her for her co.
quetry, but there was nothing for him
to do but offer his arm. This he did
with much formality. After vainly try.
ing to coax him to talk, she said:
Now, that our party is so soon to bO
broken up, | will tell you of an engage
ment that will be announced tomorrow. "
Indeed" he said dryly, nerving him
self for the news.
"Yes, Mr.. Perkins"
81 imagined as much, he interrupted.
She looked at him in amazement.
"po you know Marion?" she asked
Then he looked at her in bewildermeni
and repeated inquiringly, "Marion:'
"Yes; my cousin Marion. They have
been lovers for years, but aunty did not
wish the engagement to really take place
until she was out of school. He goes tc
see her tomorrow,
as little Marion grown up?" he asked,
then lost interest in the two and led
Lucia to settee in the shadow.
"And you are not in love with Per,
kins?"
A new light stole over her face. Thep
she broke into hearty laugh.
Il love him as | ought to love my