The Portland daily press., 1893-01-02

W AAAeN'AN ~ ~AS~GPJ -
me-"
"Then my answer is no, if you must
have it, George"
every we'll; no it is then. Will you
answer me one question, Ninette?"
"What is it?' she asked impatiently,
turning toward him.
sis there any one else for whom you
carer"
Would you hurt him if you knew"
she asked fearfully.
ssNo-never! Not if you love him. I
love you too we'll to hurt anything you
have an interest in"
.'Then I will tell you. am in love
with a great singer!'
"a great singer" repeated George
with white lips. "Who is he?'
81 don't know his NAME" she STAN
mered. Somehow it seemed harder to
talk to George about him than to Mary.
Don't know his name! Where did
you see him?"
81 have hardly seen him-I have
heard him."
"Ninette! You don't mean to say you
have fallen in love with voice-Just
that and nothing more?'
Eyes, do!' said Ninette, half crying,
"and I wish, George Smith, you would
go away and not bother me any moreP
And she turned resolutely from him.
George turned toward her. He had
great courage and perseverance, and
said between his set lips: ~ will not go
away. will stay here and watch over
you. If the man is all right, well and
good; if not, I will not let you come to
harm" And he hurried away to a pile OF
rocks and seated himself to think the
matter over.
Nearly week passed. George re-
NAMED at the Golden and occasionally
Joined Ninette on the beach. One would
have thought he had forgotten he ever
loved Ninette. Hewas simply kind and
helpful, and Ninette began to enjoy his
society now that he was apparently no
longer her lover.
It was nearly time for their departure.
Ninette and George were looking over
some shells together. George heard
Ninette catch her breath in short gasp.
He looked down at her quickly. Her
face was flushing and paling by turns.
Following the direction of her glance,
he saw man standing on rock at
little distance from them. His tall. fine
form was clearly outlined as he stood
there, looking away over the ocean.
"Ninette-tell me-is that the man"
Ninette blushed. George needed no
other answer.
Clocks well as he stands there!
wish he would turn around SO could
see his face"
So did Ninette. Instead Of turning
around he swung himself down the
rocks and was hidden from view.
George arose and looked over the
ledge. Ninette sat still, but watched
George anxiously.
"He is coming out this way, and
think he will come out by this opening.
There is no other place for him to pass
out this side"
George dropped back into the niche
where he had been sitting, and N1nette
awaited the appearance of her Apollo.
A little movement near her caused
Ninette to turn her head. She saw Mr..
Lewis, gentleman who owned fine
cottage near the hotel.
"Excuse me, but I am looking for
Marcus Marshall. I saw him disappear
here somewhere. Have you seen him?
81 don't know the gentleman" said
George; 'sdo you, Ninette9'
sNo, but haven't seen any one near
here for half an hour"
At this moment the hero emerged
from an opening in the rocks.
Ninette and George heard Mr.. Lewis
exclaim:
ssThere he is now!'' and turned back
again.
Was this her hero? Her Apolloi
Georges face was blank with amaze
ment. Ninette felt like skrieking.
He was dark-yes, it must be admit
ted, very dark. He was a mulatto.
He was Marcus Marshall, the fine
looking conductor of the famous Mar
shall minstrels, staying at the Golden.
Ninette arose hastily, and George like
wise. AS they hurried away they heard
Mr.. Lewis saying:
"By the way, Marshall, want 70 en-
gage your services for my swell dinner
next Thursday"
The rest was lost in the rapidly in
creasing distance between them. Nj
nette hurried into her room with Miss
Sadie, and George wisely concluded to
keep out of her way that day.
Next morning he went down on the
beach. Ninette had to go with Miss
Sadie.
George marched straight up to Ninette
and took her hand and looked into her
tear swollen eyes.
.sNow, my dear Ninette, let the past
be forgotten. Your Apollo is in bronze
and no good to you. You are safe enough
now. am going home today, and when
YOU come back home next week am
going to ask you the same question I
asked you the first day came here"
and George turned and fastened away.