Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-02-10

lllank YOU. As your guest. | sitalt
De pleased 10 20, he replied, bui there
was no warmth in his tone To tell the
I truth. he was thinking what fine op-
I poriunity this was for Perkins 10 monop-
olize Iucia Probably they would be.
come engaged. he thought bitterly.
He saw no more OF her the next day
! than before. She seemed necessary 20 50
4 many peoples happiness, aud requisite
for the success OF any eeyety at the ho-
tel She was so simple and unaffected,
SO merry and happy that her presence
always brought sunshine.
Il was So on board the yacht She
was always on deck. and many aud
/ mspy a night took her guitar aud sang TO
+ 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 AZ last, when the waves were
growing more furious and tiit wind
4 raging Violently, some sudden impulse
made Lucia lookup 10 Robert. aud 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 being much
tossed about they reached the deck and
attempted to walk up and down
You will have to cling close, he said, f,
drawing her hand through his arm
The waves were like mountains. the
rain beat against them, and the wind
5lew almost a hurricane. The color
! glowed in Lucia's cheeks, her eyes shone
with unusual brightness
"Oh, how sublimel" she exclaimed.
II could live on the ocean; yet il is ter.
rible, after all, and she shuddered lit
tie.
A sudden lurch of the boat threw her
from him, and she would have fallen had
lie not caught her in his arms. Her silky
hair brushed his cheek, and he felt his
heart beating against his breast so that il
seemed as if she must feel il.
This is something of gale, she
laughed, as womanlike, she first recov.
cred self possession.
They soon went below, for the storm
ragged more furiously. Robert saw a
strange expression in Perkins's eyes, but
he was conscious of wonderful elation.
aud 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 shy and
the blue green of the sea.
Lucia was pacing up and down the
deck with Perkins when Robert came up !;
then she went below 10 finish her pack.
ing, for this was the last day. They
were 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
dayf" she queried.
"It has been delightful to me, he an
swered, then stopped, fearing TO trust
himself to say any more.
As usual there was call for Lucia. aud
Robert had only time to ask for waltz
for that evening.
His vacation was over. The next day
lie was to return 70 New York aud the
law. He could not understand his in
terest (he did not call it love yeti in Lu-
Gin
She was surprised to find him so good
a partner, and they waltzed and waltzeJ
until the music stopped then he begged
her TO 90 out on the piazza. He drew
her lace wrap about her fair shoulders.
aud il thrilled him to see how beautiful
she was
They had hardly reached the piazza
when the orchestra began playing ami
Mr.. Perkins came 10 claim her for tho
dance.
Robert sat in the shadow and watched
them through the window. When the
dance was over they came out aud
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.
It was nothing more than he expected,
yet il came like cruel blow
He met Lucia as she was crossing the
threshold.
Il 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 formslity. After vainly try.
ing to coax him TO talk, she said
Now, that our party is so soon to be
broken up, will tell you Of an engage
ment that will be announced tomorrow
Indeedir he said dryly, nerving him,
self for the news.
Yes, Mr. Perkins"
Il imagined as much, he interrupted
She looked at him in amazement
"Do you know Marion 2" she asked
Then he looked at her in bewilderment
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.
Is little Marion grown up: he asked
then lost interest in the two and led
Lucia 70 settee in the shadow.
And you are not in love with Per
kins =
A new light stole over her face Ther
she broke into hearty laugh
Il love him as | ought to love ms
cousins fiance, she replied. Is it POS
sibIe you thought but she turned away
her face to hide her smiles
Roherfsa thaorias and ovnician, x.sa,.a