The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-12-30

one will lie. especially mammal II will
all be quite delightful"
>There was silence. The sun had dis
appeared and the blue sky had turned
to gray.
"It's not SO pleasant as it was, is itf''
inquired Angelica presently.
NO." shortly.
~ felt drop Of rain. Are we far
from home, Ronald?''
"Yes; about three miles"
"Oh, dear Are wet Why don't you
turn quickly, then? Don't you see it's
going to be wetf''
81 thought you were steering. -
rudely.
"You might help me-" she said
plaintively. tugging at the rope.
He gave swift stroke or two, and
they swung round. There were angry
masses Of clouds drifting toward them
over an uneasy, ruffled sea.
"Why don't you row faster? We
shall never get homep' she exclaimed
petulantly.
s'The tide is strong and the wind il
against us. I'm doing my best. =
| Ronald, what was thatf Oh, don't
say it's lightningl I'm more afraid Of
it than anything in the world. Oh,
listenr'
There was subdued but sullen roar
in the distance, now dying away, now
gathering force and cracking ominous-
ly.
"Ronald, was that thunder7'' mid
Angelica waveringly.
sThere is generally thunder when it
lightens," he answered, with bitter sar-
casm.
"But we're out in an open boat.
miles from home or shelter Of any kind r.
II am aware Of that. !"
| She gave pathetic little gulp and
pressed her hands together
"Oh-hI There e another FASH Rom
aid, I'm going to fainti''
| "Faintf Nonsensei'' he returned
roughly.
''Nonsense? What do you mean. Mr.
Grant? How dare you? suppose have
right to faint if choose? I-ahl''
Crash, rattle, rattle, bangi C-r-a-c-kl
Put that over you, " said Ronald
sternly. wrapping her in his macintosh
coat.
"But it doesn't rain. and that makes
1t m-much more dangerous d-doesn't
L it, Ronald?''
ssMuch more. y he answered merci-
lessly.
"Oh, how can you be so heartless
and cruel?'' she moaned. "You don't
care how much l sufferl Men are al
ways like that
"And women never. of course. put
l 4, Rouo11 xpstb rr1sok sr,v,x, E-t
"Oh. don't-don't be SO hardi I
know I'm wicked girl, and this il to
punish mel'' A vivid gleam shot mp
the heavens and something seemed to
burst over their heads. "Oh. Ronald,
lin frenzy of terror save me. save mel
! Oh, let MS die togetherl love you, oh,
, you know l dol Don't look at me 20
cold Forgive me. ch. forgive me- Rom
aldl' Angelica hid her face in the
cushions and sobbed.
81 can better bear to die with you,
dear, than to live without you, said
Ronald tenderly. There was q suspi-
cious twitching about his mouth, but
be mastered himself heroically, and il
, did not become q smile.
A silence followed. The thunder roll
ed and tumbled far away to the west
! and presently there was CLEAN more
, brilliant than any before.
whats that awful light?" moaned
Angelica.
"Look, dear. It's the sun.
"The sunl" She started up in oonster-
nation ''It can't be. Ronald (indig-
. nantly). Do you mean to tell me the
storm is over?''
~ think it's passed by. You seem
annoyed. Aren't you glad we're ont of
danger?''
Al eyes yes, Of course. Only thought
-(haughtily) perhaps now, Mr. Grant,
you will take me homer
"Yes, I'll take you home, Nan.
They III be surprised, won't they, ct our
news?"
I'll "News? What-what do you mean?''
gasped Angelica.
\ az think you know" There was no
mistake about his smile now.
"Ronald," she said pathetically,
"now you re not going to be tiresome7"
!. "Nan." be answered gravely, II dc
!. hope not. But of course lifetime is Z
severe test"
"You know it was only because
= was frightened. It's mean advantage
tits ungentlemanly''-her voice died
away weakly.
Ronald (provokingly) - Are yor
!. quite sure you didn't mean all yor
- said?
Angelica (tearfully)-It's 60 absurd
: Mamma will be SO angry. Mary Mao
). lean in Madame.