The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-25
SATAN'S LADDER.

| hCICs
| SATAN'S LADDER.
Hello, old man! Going out to Vag-
abondia for the Fourth? Can't accept
the invitation? Oh, pshaw, you'll re-
gret 1t! jolly crowd going-the Van
Dynes, the Hubbards, the Kingsburys,
the Alton girls-oh, any number OF
them are to be there, and all the fell
lows. By the way, have you met the
new girl? Country niece of Mrs.
Witherbee, ! believe. All the fellows
are raving about her."
us she to be at the house party, Up
toni"
Should say so. Couldn't get along
without her, you know. Goodby, old
man; must be of. I'm running out to
the lake for Sunday. Better change
your mind about that invitation"
Thank you, Upton. may. Re-
member me to every one."
HIN! Upton's queer fellow-good-
teu, tuou6us IdlAoi thihh ohoA
take his advice. A few days off can do
me no harm. Almost five years since
! took my last vacation. The idea Of
meeting all the people is not altogeth-
er delightful, but 1t will probably be
good for me. Yes, shall accept"
Hampton acted Immediately upon his
decision. He hurried to his studio.
dashed of some business letters ar
! ranging for his absence, sent a re-
Spouse to his house party invitation,
and, donning his canvas suit, was soon
engaged in throwing brushes full of
drab paint at large canvas.
1t was not a long Journey to the lit
tie Wisconsin town, but Hampton had
imbibed many new ideas on the way.
An old stile, fallen hay rack, log
cabin, or meadow lane, were, to him,
full of artistic suggestions, which he
quickly transferred to his sketch
book.
Suddenly his work was interrupted.
well, well, Hampton, glad to see
you took my advice! Come, no more
sketches; this is day off, you know.
Girls are all inquiring for you. Whole
carful in the rear. Come and join u.s."
The sketch book was reluctantly put
away and Hampton strobe with Upton
to the rear coach.
"Ah, Mrs. Witherbee!"
why, Mr.. Hampton. I am so glad
you have come. We were almost afraid
to count upon you."
"Mr. Hampton, Katharine. My
niece, Miss Hayward, Mr.. Hampton
Il am very glad to meet you, Miss
Hayward"
1t was rather conventional speech,
but there was depth of sincerity in
his low voice which gave it real
charm. He wondered where he had
seen this beautiful niece of Mrs. With
erbee. Her eyes, her mouth, her reg
ular features, even the graceful out
lines of her head and shoulders SEEM
ed familiar.
The company demanded his atten-
ton, and before he could again join
Miss Heyward's circle their destination
was reached.
Hampton was at Miss Cruttendon's
side as the train drew into the station,
and, as he proffered his services, he
noticed, with tinge Of jealousy, Up
tons gallant attentions to Mrs. With
erbee and her charge.
1t was jolly drive over the smooth
country road to Vagabondia, the villa
of Mrs. Fitzsimmons. Hampton began
to feel new interest in his compan-
ions. 1t is true they all talked mere
nOthings but to him the situation was
SO novel-no care and calculations, no
paints and brushes; artistic positions
taken by all, and nature painting the
backgrounds.
The conversation was not very gen.
eral at tea that evening. Hampton
had taken Miss Hayward to the table
and he was very willing to have his
attention absorbed by her. AS he
gazed at her perfect complexion and
clear-cut profile he thought he had
never before been so forcibly struck
with a woman's beauty; land yet" he
added to himself Il have seen her
somewhere before"
do you enjoy canoeing, Miss Hey
ward?" A bright IDEA came to Hamp-
ton.
II am passionately fond of it, Mr..
Hampton. Indeed, it is almost my
only pastime at home"
Then let us arrange a canoeing bar
ty for this evening. Mrs. Fitzsimmons
proposed it. There are four open ca
noes in the boathouse. Whom shall
we aSk?"
LET me think-Mr. Upton (Hamp-
ton bit his lip and Miss Cruttendon
lit was all right, after all, he thought;
she had planned for Upton to take
Miss Cruttendon), Mr.. James and Miss
Carhart, Mr.. Harrington and Miss w.
cliffe-that will fill the canoes, will II
not Mr.. Hampton?" She looked up
brightly and counted them off on her
dainty fingers.
Capital! l shall speak to the men
Immediately after tea and tell them
whom they are to ask to accompany.
You will favor me, will YOU not, Miss
Heyward?"
Il thank you, Mr.. Hampton" she
glanced charmingly up at him, but
Mr.. Upton has already asked me to 20
with him. or course you will take |
Miss Cruttendon?"
Hampton tried hard to hide his cha
grin.