Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-23
TRYING FOR HIMSELF.
(From Household Words.)

(tIOIl x1OuSCuOlo " SLAo'(
THAT'S the rock, SIR said the
weather. beaten old tar.
Ted Rivers looked up and laughed
a little bitterly.
"A nice place to propose to a lady
said he. ut seems to me that it
would not be so easy as you think to
get her there
The old fisherman looked shrewdly
at Ted and winked to himself.
well, sir, if you'd like to try for
yourself"
"I'm not thinking about myself at
ALL" burst out Ted, with so much in
dignation that his companion imme-
diately drew his conclusion.
Il never thought as you were, sir;
twas only my little bit of a joke. But
yon's the rock, and the gal as is
asked there is had for the asking. It's
gospel truth, what's more, and it's
there as I got my old woman, which
wouldn't so much as look at me until
I caught her a-sittin' on the rim of
that there rock.
Says l, Betsey, I've come to ask
you to marry me- and she looked
round sorter scared like, and l says,
'Youm a-sittin' on the love rock, Bet
sey, and it's here as I've follered you,
for you're the only gal what l wants;
I've set my heart on marryin YOU
says /, and you're on the love rock
"Then she looks up as meek as
lamb and she says, Yes and falls "a
cryin' as if her heart would break, for
Betsey, she always did admire that
young scamp Pete, but she knew as
hot CHI RI
me. because I'd asked on the rock.
I'VE was so took up with what had
happened that We was all caught by
the tide, but we got off in time The
rocks never quite covered. but 'twould
be an ugly place to pass night, and
next to unpossibleto be got off; there's
nasty breakers in the best weather, and
some sharp bits Of rock around, so as
no boat can get near
Ted had fixed his eyes on the love
rock. He was not listening to the
garrulous old man and he certainly
did not believe the superstition about
it, but, all the same he felt inclined to
compass the difficulties in the way,
and get Mile Lloyd there-it would
be as good a place as any he knew for
telling the secret which had been his
torment for months, and which he
now felt was impossible to keep to
himself, even if the telling of it meant
the ruin of his hopes.
He could not endure to see her chat
ting by the hour with old Fielding,
who evidently admired her and was
quite equal to asking her to marry
him, old villain that he was! And
Millie-who could guess what she
would do?
It's time to be going back" said
Ted, pulling his watch out. Good
morning I've an idea that this would
be rather nice spot for picnic-not
half bad"
Old Jack Grice bent nearly double
with laughter the moment Ted's figure
disappeared around the cliffs, and
then he went home to tell Betsey the
joke. She was shrewd old woman
and gave it as her opinion that Ted
was in love.
Meantime Ted hurried back to the
hotel in sort of panic; he felt uneasy
suddenly because he had been absent
for several hours, and Fielding might
be taking the opportunity!
A set of tennis was being played on
the asphalt court; Mile was not
there. He went and leaned on the
fence that guarded the cliff and gave
a sweeping glance from right to left,
taking in the long walk from the top
Of the cliff and the shore below, both
visible from this point. Neither Mile
nor Fielding was in view.
So he went in and looked for them
in all the public sitting rooms There
clio nf n;f y.,t;
gong summoned all the visitors down
to table d'hote he was unable to find
her, and then he heard casually that
she had been out for drive with her
mother.
1t was Ted who proposed a picnic
and Ted who suggested the best spot
for one.
That's close to the love rock, isn't
it?" asked someone.
THE love rock?" said Ted with the
utmost innocence. whats that?"
With the impatience of young folk
the picnic was fixed for the next day
weather permitting or not A storm
had been predicted, but the objections
OF the elders were talked down with
many arguments as unanswerable as
they were illogical.
II not at all the weather for pic
MICS, growled Mr.. Fielding, following
the group of enthusiasts. and looking
sourly on Ted and Mile. who hap.
pened to be talking together.
We don't mind the weather.
said Millie. Her face was radiant
ana she entered into the plans with all
her heart. Ted saw her smile anf
stepped back aghast.
should much prefer a quiet da,
on the Shore" said Mr.. Fielding in :
lower tone.
Miiiie glanced at Ted, and then sb,
shipped away. Somehow she now fell
Uut OF heart with the picnic. As fo,
n leo. there was nothing he would hav,
h., ~. ue,ter tnan to take Mr.. Fieldin.
- ~ sne- throat and throttle him.