The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-05-29
individual,
mothero ~
<-ET


~ me, is first of ali nm
individual, and, after that, my
mother"
Pretty Junet Dale gave the speaker
distinctly disappearing glance.
''No, no, Phil" returned his uncle,
indulgently reproving in that mellow
voice which was one of his charms
"frst of oil she is your mother, and
after that IN individual"
The first speaker, Philip Drum.
mond, had one of those wildly hand
some faces that would attract atten-
tion in my crowd. 1t was SO eager,
so young-and his character, too, had
all the sharply defined angles of youth.
He bristled with theories and opinions.
There was strong family resemblance
between himself and his uncle. Mr..
Armyn Van Dyne was also n hand
some man, but naturally in a more
elderly way, with more rotundity of
figure; and the fact that his dark eyes
were set rather close together de-
prived them of that candor of express
sion wk;eh characterized Philips
frank gaze.
"Thank you for saying that, Mr..
Van Dyne," said Janet, to whom the
word "mothcr" brought back sad,
sweet memory.
II consent to waive the point. said
Philip carelessly. ''It's too hot. any
how, to be argumentative, he adde",
as ho famed himself with his straw
hat.
The conversation took place on
board tho Tom Jones, a dingy little
steamboat that piled between aSouth-
orn city and an island of the gulf.
They were now waiting to effect their
entrance through canal dock, and
| the pause was tedious one, with not
| ghost OF breeze blowing, and moth
| ing to be seen but few gaping by
ISLANDERS on tho bank, and the spright-
ly fiddler crabs scrambling about in
| tho mud.
"If this is foretaste of the joys to
come" sighed Janet, "what u happy
fortnight we shall have!"
"Now, my dear child" urged her
father, "don't make up your mind be-
forehand to dislike the place"
"You see," said Janet, turning to
Mr.. Van Dyne. "papa has always rep
resented the island as q sort of earthly
paradise, and as this is the first time l
have ever consented to visit it he feels
personally responsible.
''It is jolly sort Of place when you
| get used to it," struck in Phil. "Not
very exciting; but you can do pretty
much rs you please there-wenr old
clothes and be rs unconventional
| rs selfish-as YOU like"
"That is not my idea of bliss" re-
tortcd Janet"
Whatever elso tho place lacks"
said Mr.. Van Dyne, "the mir is deli
cious. 1t makes ono feel young and
strong, capable of any exertion."
BY this time the tiresome wait was
ended, and the Tom Jones was putting
and snorting its way between the
banks Of the narrow canal; into the
bayou, which presently widencd into
n lake. The sky had been growing
darker, and now sudden equall
arose, with sheets of rain and a wild
wind. The feminine passengers re-
tired to the small and stuffy cabin,
where most Of them seized the oppor-
tunlty to become seasick. AS pre-.
cautionary measure the engines were
stopped, tho Tom Jones not being a
craft suited to stormy waters.
81 trust this will grow no worse, u
said Mr.. Van Dyne, uneasily. ''Aro
you suffering any inconvenience from
the rocking of the boat. Miss Janet ?"
"Not at all; only wish papa would
let mo go outside. 1t is SO close in
here.
Phil appeared just thcn, with q
benming smile.
"Such joke !" he exclaimed. "Tke
captain forgot to bring the anchor
along"
"Not reallv?" said Janet.
al don't SEQ much OF Joke about
that my boy, especially if tho wind
rises any higher"
One of the detected sufferers raised
n languid head to ask "Are We in any
danger?'
ooh, no." said Phil, struggling to
open the door. 'It's rapidly goine
down."
She gave hollow groan. "He say,
we nre rapidly going down." she
moancd to companion in misery.
1.-The wind, not the boat" exclaimed
Phil, and she fell Lack with NUT.
tered "Oh !"
Presently the squall passed and the
boat steamed on once more; but q!
they had been delayed, it was dusl
before they approached the island
Then the painful nows was circulated
that the tide was too low for tho Tom
Jones to reach the wharf.
"Must We stay on board oil night,
asked Janet.
ave nro going ashore in n luggcr-
n romantic lugger that will satisfy all
your cravings for tho picturesque,
replied Phil, with unfeeling levity.