The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19
BGENUINE HERO.

A sky of opal and gold, a deep trellised
veranda, a novel and hammock slung
nj the most comfortable Of angles. With
these conditions it was scarcely strange
that HaIcyon Hartford swayed delight
fully between dreamland and the real
world that June afternoon with the heecy
gold of her hair, all Puiltless Of pin or
comb. and the bell sleeves. falling en-
chantingly away from her round, white
arms. while one trim slippered foot hung
from the edge OF the hammock
"Halcyonl Halcyoni Where are your
IL was one OF those exasperating voices
which, once having been sweet, had now
A vibrant TAR TO its tones. painfully akin
TO shrillness.
Haicyon frowned q little and raised her
self on her elbow.
"Oh, Aunt Hal, don't scream So l was
iust in a dream OF delight"
"Wen, you should have answered, then"
Aunt Hal came out OF the wide, shady
nall with an ELUSIVE swing Of her drape-
ries and seated herself in a bamboo chair
close TO the hammock.
what has happened?" drowsily de-
manded the latter, lifting pair Of blue
eyes, fringed with dark lashes.
"The strangest thing"
Another offer Of marriage?' hazarded
Halcyon, setting ON the unlkliest thing
which could. IN her opinion have happen
ed
How did you guess?" with little
exultant caclle. Exactly. The dear,
foolish lad-and he so much younger than
T. Why. he couldn't have been twenty
one when he went to Bombay, and /
was ut least thirty then"
"Thirty-fve, Aunt HAL" said Halcyon,
the merciless."
was II as much as that? Well, he
seemed desperately in love then, though OF
course / never took any notice of the
child. But 1 suppose in that country Of
blackamoors one can't help thinking about
all the women one has ever known at
home, and he has written me two or
three letters
HAS he?"
Halcvon sat straight up In the hammock
now. Her blue eyes glowed. The heat
had brought flush to her cheek which
ell Aunt Halls carmine saucers could not
rival.
but I never told you" said the elder
beauty. because | remembered that there
was a sort OF boy and girl affair between
YOU and Charlie Blessen when you were
at boarding school, and l thought YOU
would be nettled. And here's the proposal
at last, dear-with his photograph en-
closed
LET me see it."
What a brave, good face IT was--siightly
older and sterner than she had looked
upon when the Avancanian sailed away
three years ago, but yet so strong ana
manly!
She laughed Historically.
Shall you accept him."
Aunt Hal nibbled coquettishly at the
80 he false teeth
cleaned in a smile.
I-think-I-shalL"
And you fourteen years Older than he
Is"
People don't think about such things
as they used TO do" reasoned Miss Hart
ford. the elder. Eros is immortal, you
know"
Halcyon sank back into the hammock
and reopened her book.
you must do as you please. OF course.
said she. after that quotation about
Eros. have not a suggestion 10 offer.
Jealous. poor darling" thought Aunt
Hal. with thrill Of pity. And she said:
Wen. Of course, one can't help those
things happening TO enc, and your time
VIII come soon. dear. never fear"
IT'S a good thing." she added 10 her.
self, she loes not know anything about
dear old Judge Fiostroy. There's a differ
ence In age. II you please. and the old
pet IL so infatuated about me! An old
mans darling or a young mans slave
which,"
While Halycon thought on her side:
The silly goose. He has done 1t now!
lie has bssn making love to Aunt Hal,
thinking he was counting me. Oh,
thought he knew her name was the same
As mine. Didn't she stand god-mother TO
me at st. Chrysoiint's and give me a
coral and bells and an embroidered chris
tcnins robe? And now he has actually
proposed 10 her Well. II he is the man
take him 10 be. he'll stand by his
colors cost him what II may. A man
who could walk up 10 the commons mouth
at Bey-Idcnna surely won't shrink. even
from Aunt Hal. And I'd rather know that
he was a true hero than have d poltroon
Tor NY husband"
And Halcyon turned her face toward