Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-06-19
A June Romance.

An idle boat, with idle oars, floating
idly down with the current of calm,
smooth lake, on whose placid breast
the moonbeams played at will.
Such the picture, had one been a
mere spectator to the mimic scene;
but to the two actors, surroundings
were lost sight of-they thought only
of themselves.
hooking the moon rays, when they
glanced upward, they could see on the
bank above them the twinkling lights
of the villa and hear the merry voices
and gay laughter of the group from
viii they had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between its
members as they had seen Sydney AL
lison and Bayard Hunter stroll off
arm in arm to where the little boat
was moored.
The women had almost ceased to
be jealous of Sydney, or to ask where
lay her charm. She exercised her
fascination even among them as
among men, and they bowed before
her-f1rst from necessity then from
choice.
But, though her victims were count
less, she was twenty three and Sgd
ney Allison still. However, this time
she had encountered (the little girl at
Mrs. Graham's villa said) a foeman
worthy of her steel.
What she was among men, Bayard
fore, seeing these two brought be-
meath the same roof, and thrown into
daily intercourse, rumor was rife, and
speculation awaited results with bated
breath. Meantime, the little boat
foated calmly on the quiet surface of
the lake.
HMiss Allison!"
It was the first word either had
spoken in full five minutes.
She glanced up at the speaker. The
white lace thrown carelessly over her
dark hair, out from which peered the
beautiful, pale face, lent her some of
the moons mystic charm; but meet
ing the magnetic gaze of the dark,
earnest eyes bent upon her, hers fell
for an instant; then, as though
ashamed of the momentary weakness,
again shot questioning look into
Mr.. Hunters face.
''Miss Allison" he repeated, slow
ly, "did you know that we are in
danger?'' Gin danger?''
Her cheek grew a shade paler. She
glanced up at the blue vault where
sailed so majestically the Goddess of
Night-down into the dark depth of
the waters, only to see Luna's brillian-
cy reflected there-around, about her.
Not leafiet stirred.
"No," he said, in answer to her
look-''not from any of these. The
moon, the wind, the water, all are our
friends tonight. We are in danger
from each other.'
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant
flushing of blood to her cheek She
felt it glow, like a warm, crimson
rose, even while she raised her little !
head almost defantly, as though to
hurl challenge at his audacity.
Men had made love to her in many
forms, but always as supplicants.
This man dared suppose her in equal
danger with himself!
''You deal in enigmas, Mr.. Hunt
err" she returned haughtily, IT am
accustomed to plain speech.''
''Rather say that plain speech is to
you an unknown tongue, and that I
am the first man who has dared speak
frankly. Would you have me more
open still? You shall have your wish
A week longer under the same roof
with you,a week more of exposure to
your maddening destinations and my
ship would go to wreck and ruin on
he bar: unless he leaned nearer,
lis voice grew softer, more full of
ender telling, and his hand fell on
lers very lightly, but with caressing
race -tunless Sydney, you would let
t float your pennon and guide it into
he safe harbor of your love-"
She had been wooed many times, in
many climes, by many men, but
Laught had ever moved her as this
7ooing. on this moonlight night in
une. Yet this man dared to tell her
hat in another week this all might {
ONE to pass.