The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-07-22

steam whistle and, in the distance we
can just distinguish little tug stand
ing at the dock. Presently, coming
nearer, we had view of the pms
sengers, among whom, with the Sep
tember sun gliding her brown hair,
we first saw Maud.
say ''we," for Toms subdued
whistle told me that his heart had
been smitten by this nut-brown maid
as we'll as mine. She was chattering
merrily with her brother and father
who stood close by. We could hear
their voices, and distinguish the
names, Maud and Jack, by which the
brother and sister addressed each
other, but nothing more. Apparently,
however, they we're talking of us;
for, the little tug having started just
MS we got alongside, our plucky little
guide determined on race. The
wind was against him, but he held his
own; and, though the steamer passed
ahead of us into the narrow Marion
river, the cheer of the passengers
showed that they considered him VIC
torious, while Maud beamed upon him
in way that made us both wish that
we held the oars.
She stood in the bow of the little
steamer with the venerable woods be.
hind her; but their green branches
and shadowy spaces were for me only
a background to intensity the picture
of her youth and beauty. With the
sight of her felt that l had had
enough of loneliness, and longing
came over me, such as had some-
times felt in college when the soft
tone of woman's voice reminded ME
of home.
AS we sped along the lily-pads, rich
with the same autumn colors which
the naples wore, we had the good
luck to find several belated blossoms.
The tug was making its way slowly,
for the channel was narrow and wind
ing; and as we were quite near, 1 fam
cied that Maud looked enviously ut
my treasures. Lifting my hat, I
tossed them at her feet.
She did not blush, she did not
scornfully cast them into the water,
nor ask her brother to throw them
back to me she simply nodded her
thanks with evident delight, and, with
the utmost grace she fastened the
lovely lotus flowers in her belt.
Does this strike any one as bit of
Irritation? What man could keep n
flower with lady near on whom lie
might bestow it? The lilies sought
their rightful owner, and 1 simply
helped them on their rightful way,
while Tom looked at the three he had
gathered as ii unwilling to initiate me,
and equally unwilling to keep them.
"It was shame to pick them," he
said, and laid them back upon the
water.
The steamer now shot ahead, and
our guide told us that its passengers
wonld "carry" across to Eagle lake,
where another steamer would receive
them, while our carry was shorter
one further up.
Tom and both received the news
unwillingly, for we could not bear to
have this bright vision vanish 80 soon.
Should We never again see Maud?
We looked at each other, but said
nothing.
When at length we shot ont into
Eagle lake. after the last of our carries
there was no sign of any steamer; and,
as we rowed on, the sun set and the
moon rose, but we were still alone.
On Blue Mountain Lake we heard
the steamers whistle once more, and
in the distance saw its column OF
smoke and sparks as it puffed off to
another part of the shore. We felt
like grumbling at our choice of hotels,
but it was now too late to change; 80,
hungry, tired and disappointed, we
climbed the steep hillside.
Our appetites did not fail us, how.
ever (how could they in that air? and
after supper we walked up and down
the broad piazza, looking upon the
moonlighted lake and mountains with
a tinge of sadness as we thought our
outing was SO nearly over, ond We
mused upon the maiden whose beauty
had charmed us.
Next morning We drove mile in
the early twilight in order to take the
| stnue We found only one unenpaped