Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-06-11

~ SSW%$$E NdNeSlub, a us
kN#xE A1s lance away, sat two
ZlS W}Z4I young girls, just
ga F$S bursting into the first
VgGW bloom of woman
~ehnkG hood. One was a
blonde of the most refined type. Silken
hair, of a soft, flaxen color, was combed
back plainly from her pure and white
brow. The arched eyebrows of faiut
brown sat calmly above two of the Sc
renest blue eyes in the world.
Her companion, Nellie Bro wn, was a
brunette Of the type commonly called
dashing. Her hair was coal black. and
in some lights looked blush. Her eyes
were almast black. Nellie's lips were
full and ripe, but just a trlhe COM
pressed, Yelling at once of a strong, pas
sionate nature and determined will. Her
complexion was of that clear, warm hue
that shows the slightest movement of the
rich blood beneath it. Her cheeks were
never without a sparkle, and her lips sell
dom without a smile.
When Harry Wilson's clear, manly
voice rolled up from the river brink, her
eyes danced and her lips quivered.
Blanche Hastings was not blind, and
just the slightest spasm of fear shot
through her heart as she thought that her
friend might become her rival in love.
Just inside the window, behind the
two young ladies and out of sight of
both, stood a young man with his hands
thrust deep down in his pockets, and
apparently wrapped in deep thought. He
was not handsome man. But George
Courtney bore in his face, with its frank
blue eyes and It's corona of light hair, an
expression Of marvellous sincerity. No
one ever heard him speak without being
convinced at once Of his t~ruthfuiress.
He stood gaz ng, with IA peculiar ex-
preston, out though the half closed
blinds upon Nellie Brown. He had heard
Harry's song, and had smiled rs he re-
membered how often he had heard the
same tones ringing out in the University
Glce Club, when they had been cluss-
mates at Harvard five years before. Harry
was his Oldest friend; and they always
managed to spend the summer together.
This year Harry bad brought his yacht.
the Mystic, down to the Highlands, aud
he and George were living at Thomp-
sons, where they made the acquaintance
of the two young ladies. Six weeks had
rolled by very speedily, and George
Courtney, hearing his friend sing, aud
seeing the effect the song had upon a
certain young lady with deep brown
eyes, was brought very suddenly and
painfully face t. face with the fact that
he was head aud ears in love with Nellie
Brown.
And giving vent to his feelings by a
long whistle, he strobe away. At that
moment a splendid looking old gentle
man stepped out on the piazza and
greeted the young ladies.
"Good-morning, my beauties; how
are you to-dayl'
COB, uncle" cried Blanche Hastings,
"how you startled US. We are both
splendid, and enjoying Mr.. Wilson's
singing on the sly"
"a brilliant boy, but no depth, l
fear. Now, If ] were a young lady,
George Courtrcy would"
COB, pshawr' cried Nellie, impetu-
ously; ''he's too quiet, too lazy. A man
to win my admiration, Mr.. Hastings,
must be a man, not a statue. Now, Mr..
Harry Wilson is fall of life and dash.
He has vim. That is what | admire. l
want some one who can conquer me-"
"Well, WELL" said Mr.. Hastings,
smiling, "such a man would be hard to
find; but I'll wager that Courtney will
come nearer to your ideal that Wilson"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Nellie, aud
turned away in pretended disgust.
Harry Wilson came laughing up the
walk in front of the house. He was tall,
slender and active looking; and in his
blue aannelS looked the picture of manly
health and grace. Both girls arose to
greet him.
"Good-morning, laggards," he cried;
give been up tdese two hours fondliug
my beauty down there in the river. /
wait for nothing now but my fair weight,
and here you sit, not ready t. move
yet"
"There, sir" said Nellie, "you are out
of your course-thats nautical, isn't III
for we have breakfasted and will be
ready to start in ten minutes
"But where's my super.cargo2 my
crew. Hello, aloit there! George,
where are you?'
"Here l am, said Courtney, coming
out of the door, looking plain, but
strong, in his yaching suit. 81 am all
ready, and on dcck-not aloft.'
In a few minutes they were all aboard
the yacht, and in another the water was
foaming up around her cutwatcr. AMI
two long, Overwhelming ripp'es swept
away from her bows.
"Oh, isn't this gloriousl" cried Nellie.
ait is delightful said Blanche.
"By Jove, though, we are going out
side to-day" said Harry. "D0 you
think either OF you will be sea-sick."
"Sea-sickl Pshawl l never was sea.
sick in my life, and I'm not going to be-
gin now" replied Nellie.
"Then," cried Harry, tive shall have
a glorious day. Just look at those little
clouds over there in the west. They are
massing themselves in one spot; we shall
have a splendid westerly wind before
night, and can beat back from Rockaway
IN two taeks, n to the Scotland ligat-
ship, and thence to the hospital snip;
another tack brings the wind on our
beam, aud gives us a straight run home"
''How you do love the water" said
Nellie, showing her admiration a little
more openly than was pleasing to George.
YES, Miss Brown replied Harry, II
adore the sea-"
George smiled at Harry's enthusias N,
and Blanche, observing him said
"Mr. Courtney, l dol'J believe you
feel like that, do yon2'
"Well," replied George. slowly. as u
man weighing his words, II don't know
that l can talk like Harry, but l should
hate to see harm come to the Mystic's
timbers. I've known her from keel to
weather-vane ever since Harry bought
her, and she's a faithful craft
"There," cried Harry, "'you sec my
boat has two lovers, an | she shown
equal favor to both, aud betrayed the
trust of neither"