The Washington times., 1894-10-21

grumbled.
where do you go eel flshing?" she asked.
Here on the Shrewsbury, of course; there
are loads of them in the mudholes and IN the
| seaweed"
She jerked her hand out OF the water.
"Oh. they don't float up on top in the day
| time they only do that at night and at certain
seasons. Why, some dark nights when the
water is highly phosphorescent you can trace
them by the sinuous glowing track they
| leave'
"How should like to see thati" she ex-
claimed.
"Come out tonight then he said faith
lessly, knowing perfectly well that there would
| be moon and the promised exhibition there
| fore impossible. "Will you be able to come
out tonight at about half-past eight?"
'Yes, think SO. Aunt Emma will be able
1 to come, too"
That's good" he said hypocritically.
''Pli be here at half-past eight sharp"
The boats nose grounded in the mud. and
he jumped ashore to help his pretty companion
out.
Don't forget your crabs" he reminded
| her, rendering the bag.
Indeed, do not want them," she insisted.
81 was only Grabbing for amusement, and if
you will allow me TO add my catch to yours 1
| will feel that / have not wasted your time
"All right he said gruf1iy, and shot away
| down the stream. But his heart was leaping
at the thought that she had really consented
| to go with him on a pleasure row, without
any business-like project of fishing behind it,
When lie was in the middle of the stream he
suddenly opened the mouth of Hettie MAYS
sack and emptied its contents into the water.
81 wouldn't have her first catch boiled
alive. 1t would be sacrilege, he muttered.
| "I'd like to bet a gold piece that she doesn't
know they're cooked alive"
When he rowed up to Riker's in the even
ing's dusk his spirit sank at distinguishing
but one faint figure. He rowed near, expert
mentally.
at is I-Hettie Mav," said her voice.
Theodore bumped the boat joyfully on the
| bank.
Aunt not coming?" was his brisk query.
II asked her to come. and she said-she
said. If you're not big enough now TO
get along without me tagging after you, I'd
ike to know when you will be. "
"She's perfectly right" agreed Theodore.
$50 I've come TO tell you won't go, said
Hettie May.
What said Theodore, in leaden wrath.
"Oh. no; I've left her alono all day and
can't leave her tonight"
"Ill tell you what" said Theodore. "step
in, and I'll row you so quickly down to the
! bridge and back that she II never know I've
been at all.
just where this proposition differed from
the proposed row it would be difficult to
tell, but Hettie May considered it a harm
less compromise and stepped III with aIacrity.
Where is the phosphorous?" she de-
manded
Fortunately for the young man, the moon
had not yet risen, and the oars made a milky
ripple. he called her attention TO it.
LET your hand trail in the water and watch
the track it makes"
"And run the risk of patting an eel on the
head2 Oh, MOI" she answered.
He drew in the oars and rested on them.
q believe this current will carry us down 10
the bridge as quick as 1 could make il - he
said contentedly. shameless liar that lie was
for the boat barely moved and if it driited at
ALL driited sideways. In the enchanted si-
lence Theodore got it into his dreamily- con
fused head that his soul was strung like an
.Holian harp. and that every time lie bruatled
it swept its music through him. That he was
in love with the girl opposite him he would
never have admitted. She was singing softly
to herself an air that was at once familiar to
him, and at the same time eXasperatingly IN.
familiar. IL il WAS anything il was the
sol rano Of Wagner's Chorus OF Pilgrims. "
"Nnat is that you are singing" he asked
in hushed voice.
II haven't the sign of an idea" she said
loudly and unseniimentaliy.
ITS tine we got back. said Theodore i'm
mediatoly, and commenced rowing violently
hOmeward.
BY the time he had made the now dark
landing he had softened hopelessly again. At
all hazards be was bound to prevent her from
speeding mp the bank TO the house The
myriad OF frefies flashed around them,
actually lighting up the leaves and flowers
nearest to them. He moored his boat sug-
gestively 70 kiEers post, and stepped out
with Hettie May. He first planted himself
cleyefly before her in the narrow path. so
that she could not get home without walking
deliberately into him. This maneuver cheered
his soul into conversation.
Ibid you ever put frenies into your hair?"
he asked, insanely.
'.No and | don't want to. ="
"Did you ever hold one, then?"
"In my hands!'
mo"
He caught one and came audaciousiy near
her Hold out your hand. =" he said.
Men who say, do this, ''Do that" instead
of ''Will YOU do this!" "Will you do that?''
meet with extraordinary obedience. Hettie
May held out her hand He lingeringIy put
the brilliant little insect into it.
Ibid you ever hear the legend of the fire
fiy?'' he asked, musically.
She shook her head. Tell me-"
"Oh, it's no story. nothing to tell. only the
Indians believe that frc1ies are the souls Of
dead soldiers VINO have fallen in battle and
never known burial. Is not that poetical
thoughts"
Indian, she added. "Now l must say good
night"
"Oh, certainly; was only Waiting to know
whether you were coming Grabbing for soft
shells and shedders tomorrow at low tide.
You haven't caught any in that way, you
know, but am sure l could teach you, if you
Will let me-
"Are you so sure Of that?"
''Quite sure. Confess now, you would like
to be able. wouldn't you?'
ave should join hands in frantic sympathy,
If once you taught me the unteachable,"
she quoted glibly.
He poHdered In scholarly amaze, and then
said unthinkingly:
aren't you somewhat of well-read young
woman to be quoting Browning?"
She laughed and ran up the path. Then
she stopped and said in sudden surprise:
Aren't you somewhat of a wel-read young
man to recognize it as a quotation from
Browning?'
He Redeemed unperceived in the darkness,
but urged anXiously:
Il am coming around tomorrow at low
tide. may II"
Her response was non-committal: "You
won't be able to reach this landing at low
tide; you Will have to go to the house below
to Stanley's."
"All right" he cried cheerfully.
On the next day and on many succeeding
days he worked hard to prevent Hettie May
from netting a single crab. he very soon left
of asking whether he might call for her. be-
cause it came to be so settled a thing that she
was to be his companion. At the close of one
lazy, contented afternoon she spoiled the rest
of the day by announcing her intention of
going to the city for a few days.
when are you going?" he asked,
"To morrow"