The Washington times., 1894-10-07
sells sinking!

firt! Jilt. that was the word Mrs. Marshall
wondered if Lawrence thought much OF poor
Charles and his wrongs, now.
But she spoke not at all on the subject. She
knew how to be as taciturn as ner brother, If
need be.
Thus it was that, on the following morning.
when the squire casually mentioned at break
fast that he intended sculing Miss Berners
downstream coupled hundred yards or so
Mrs Marshall put on sphinx-like express
sion and replied:
''Yes?n
They were a goodly pair. she thought pres
emily as she watched them striking across
the golden meadows. away towards the peace
fnl belt of trees, betwlxt whose slim trunks
glttered the sheen OF the water.
This was what happened.
"Can you steer?" asked Mr.. Wentworth.
a little; don't expect too much from me. "
Lawrence merely nodded reply.
The girl, seated in the boat, somewhat
nervously took hold of the cords.
"Wait a bit" said Lawrence. Now,
right-off shore-too much, too much; no,
left"
The boat performed the most extraordinary
gyrations.
Perhaps said the salvage man, trying to
be civil ''perhaps. if you leave of steering,
we might get along"
Rose dropped the strings as though they
had been red hot whereupon the aggrayating
boat righted itself with strange rapidity.
They were floating down stream now,
drifting delciously From the green wood
came the song OF birds; some lazy COWS
stared across field full of buttercups; at the
waters edge yellow iris rose like golden stars
amongst the green flags.
Rosie made a dash at some water lilies.
"Don'ti' said her companion. They've
got nasty, tough roots" But, seeing her dis
appointment, ne added: You can have lots
| by and by"
SO they came within sight of a great tract
peopled with reeds-tall reeds, like a water
forest
"I'll tell you what" said Lawrence, "we'u
rush the boat. Sit tight.
Miss Berners sat tight. She understood
that much, if nothing else. But how beauti-
ful it was to feel the increased speed growing
rapidly to excessive swiftness, whilst the rush
of water swirled around, and parting, bend
ing reeds crushed under the keel, maki1g 4
pathway through their very thickest COM
panies, TO rise up at once again like mystic
rious, sheltering wall.
Suddenly the boat came to a standstill, only
rocking gently on its green osier bed. This
was niding-place, indeed-a complete
haven, unseen, uDguessed OF, save by the
swallows overhead or the water fairies below.
Lawrence stretched himself at full length
his hands clasped over his head. He did not
look amiss III his suit of white fiannels.
thought Miss Rosie. But for gray lock here
and there in his short hair, time had dealt
gently with him be was surely considerably
younger than Mrs Marshall!
Needless to say, he was silent. He did not
even glance at his companion, nor did he
mediate upon her appearance: truth to tell,
he was wondering whether that hawk which
jerks the Keeper had told him OF had been
seen again, and whether it were likely to dis
turb the young pheasanls.
Mr. Wentworth. want to ask you some
thing said Rosie's clear voice.
He reused himself and stared at her. She
was certainly eager misunderstanding almost.
She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees,
her fingers restlessly clasped and unc,asped; /;
a bright scarlet spot burned on both her
cheeks.
Lawrence hooded.
Il want want to ask you-do you know
Mr.. Charles Davenport well?"
Pretty WE'LL, answered Lawrence.
''Then L suppose you have heard-you are
quite aware"
Lawrence nodded again.
81 mean," continued Miss Berners, flush