The record-union., 1896-05-10
loving expression she saw in the stran-

If this gentleman is kind enough to see
me across to the hotel. I'm not ill
! only dizzy. IL think it was that ride
1 took And she turned and these
two, so long strangers, walked away
together. And Zoe went off with
memory of his glance. The silence be-
tween them was broken by the man.
Agnes, you have not changed much.
You look young STILL" he said.
She flushed under the gaze of his
eager eyes, but was silent.
Have you taught our daughter to
hate me as you did, as you do?'' he
said again.
No" she murmured. "She has often
spoken of you, and wondered if you
| knew her if you would love her. She
is of an affectionate disposition
Has she any lover?" he asked.
| Yes, she had several, but she is so
young, and-and I did not want her
heart broken as mine was" she replied.
Your heart he said, cynically.
You had no heart to love-at least you
told me so.'' And he sighed heavily.
She heard the sigh and said softly,
Horace. 1 made a mistake. l found
my heart after you left, or at least II
found you had taken it with you.
The man turned eagerly to take her
hand when they heard the voices of a
number of people near them. And
| Horace Rayburn drew up his tall, dig
nified figure, and she hurried her steps
to keep pace with him. AS they reached
the hotel young Phil came out the
| door, his bright brown eyes catching
sight of his father and his companion.
He half halted, and then his boyish face
| flushed deep crimson, while sur
prised light flashed in his eyes. He
turned unnoticed aside as they passed
in, and as he went on he said, "Heav
ens If that is not Zoe's mother who
gave me the grand bounce, I'm mis-
taken Oh, I wonder if she is here, too?
Near the summit of my hopes as We are
to the summit of these glorious mount
ains,' he soliloquized in a delighted
way, hugging himself in boyish rapture.
Hi, Reardon," called out a friend
| Where are you off to-palace or slide?
We are off to Tahoe after lunch, and
they say the road is fine. Come, won't
you?"
Without replying to his eager friend
Phil said, Say, did you notice the hotel
register since last night?"
Yes; oh, yes; bet l did. At least
twenty Californians-old, new and
young women in galore; men ancient
and modern; hordes, squads, droves,
battalions, herds, coveys, crowds"
Phil laughed, then asked in a tone he
tried hard to make Indifferent, 'Was
| there Mrs. Rayburn and daughter, did
you notice.
Cad, yes. 1 wondered if they were
any kin to your stepfather. An old
ish, youngish woman, and a bright,
pert sprinkle of a daughter" replied his
lively friend. know 'em, do you?"
Yes" said Phil. Il knew the daugh-
ter. Met her at the Ponce de Leon in
Florida. The world is small; at least
one would think SO when we meet the
same people Unexpectedly"
We'll it rolls round we can't help
that you know" said his friend. Its
like a ball of soap, and as it whirls
round in the hands of time it grows
smaller, 1 believe; at least 1 think so
when 1 meet my creditors at every
turn"
"a sublime simile," laughed Phil, as
they ran lightly up the slope to the
slide. Then they parted, Phil to take a
look in the pagoda-like structure COW
ering the rocking-stone Two young
ladies We're standing near, and first one
and then the other tried to rock it.
"a most singular thing, is it not"
asked one, that two rocks, heart
shaped, both points towards the north,
should be in such a position, and al
though many tons in weight the slight
est touch on a certain spot moves one
of them?"
1.-TWO hearts with but a single
thought" quoted Zoe, one of the young
ladies.
"As to position, yes; but not action"
said the other.
| Zoe, talking of hearts," she contin-
ued, why were you not married long
before this? l know it's not for want
OF offers. Even Prince Charming and
Jack are fathoms deep and are leaving
for other lands because you won't
make this one bearable to them. I've
an idea you lost your heart on that
Florida trip, where the 'aligators gait
over the waterscape.' AS Jack says,
Come, 'fess up"
Zoe's fair face flushed, as she said
softly:
Yes, 1 did; but my choice was not
mammals, and 1 would never marry
one man while my heart belonged to
| another"
Her talk was interrupted by a call
for them, but Zoe, declaring "she was
too tired to return" her friend left her,
promising to return for her if she
| waited.
Phil had overheard all this conversa-
ton as he stood in the shadow of the
| rocks; he had glanced that way, and
his heart beat fast as he recognized his
old love. When Zoe's friend left he
came forward, radiant delight and love
In his dark eyes, and smile of welcome
on his lips.
Zoe"
phil" And his arms drew her to him
and warm kisses made amends for part
ing and long weary exile, forgetful, too
of the fact that a father, a mother ever
| existed
At the hotel another love scene was
| enacted. Mr.. Rayburn wooed and won
his wife again After explanations of
hasty temper, excuses and past sins on
the mans part forgiven. AS for Mrs
| Rayburn, she had reared the column
G. blameless life since her separation
from him, life that gave no critics
chance to carp. He had told her about
| mis- other marriage and about Phil his
stepson, and now they were impatiently
awaiting Zoe's return TO tell her ALL
! IAN aboard for Tahoe" "Donner,"
and merry crowds were hurrying to the
waiting sleighs. Phil and Zoe had ar
| ranged to take a single sleigh without
returning to the hotel, for Zoe knew her
mother thought she was still with