The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-12-27
CAUGHT IN A STORM.


in, after all. "
He addressed Angelica, who sat op-
posite him. All about them was deep
blue serenity-on one hand stretching
away distantly into long shining masses
of greenish brown rocks, with ragged
cliffs towering above them Angelica e
hands were thrust into the pockets of a
provoking REFER coat, her hat was tilt
ed little forward and the breeze dart
ed in among her curls, tossing them
merrily about her face. She was a di-
minutive person in all respects save
two, which two were particularly large,
brilliant, languishing and in every way
dangerous.
But, on the whole. Angelica, :" add
ed Ronald deliberately, 81 regret that ]
am in any way related to or connected
with you
Ronald" she exclaimed, II really
cannot allow you TO be SO fiattering."
"A cousin is nondescript. variable
sort of being-at times an absolute
stranger, at others sort of secondhand
brother-in that capacity extremely
useful. OF course that is something,
but still"-
II think it's great deal, but I see
you are the same as ever. You always
were greedy little boy" said An
gelica.
"Thanks. You, on the other hand,
were rather nicer as a little girl than
you are now-in some ways-oh, you
could still be nice if you triedp'
"If tried How funny | shouldn't
know-you see most people think''-
she regarded her shoes inquiringly.
II dare say, but am not most peo-
ple.' l stand alone -
Il thought you were sitting down,
interrupted Angelica. She certainly
was provoking today. "And 1 wasn't
aware that you were alone, but perhaps
don count ="
My dear, that's the worst Of 1t. You
do count, and there's no one else In the
world who does. l just worship you,
Mani Have startled your
'Not at all. " she answered politely.
you see, they all say that, or some
thing equivalent. She turned her head
little and dabbled in the water with
her hand.
tOh, yes, l know OF course, I'm a
presumptuous fool. All the same have
thought lately''- He paused and then
added, do you remember last week,
at Cowes?"
Eyes, " said Angelica radiantly. "On
that afternoon-I don't mind telling
you, Ronald very seriously consider
ed falling in love with you. There is
yacht quite close to US, !" she added hasti-
ly II considered, and after due DELHI
Grafton decided
well, Nan?"
"Not to fall in love with any one at
all"
"You mean
Ronald, if you don't row, how can
| steer? We don't want to be swamped.
Love is SO inconvenient.
YOU'RE pulling the wrong rope.
confess | don't quite see how
well, it doesn't always go with
other things"
'tBut is it not worth more than-oth-
er things?''
Ronald" replied Angelica some
what irrelevantly, "have you any idea
of the price of Paris hat?''
1.-THE left rope again. All, now we're
safe A Paris hat? well, l have
heard that they're something ridicu-
lous.
"They are = absolutely ridiculous.
That fact alone. said Angelica solemn
ly, lis enough to make any thought of
love impossible and wicked.
Except for any one with heart,
with a SOUL composed in fact of any
thing but shallowness and vanityr'
"My dear boy, if you go on. she
said encouragingly, ''you will in time
make the most accomplished fatterer of
the age.
Don't jest with me, Nan It's moth.
ing to you perhaps, but to me it's ev-
erything. | love you If you knew what
the word meant, he burst out vehem-
emily, 'you could not sit there coolly
breaking my heart in your hands. .
'Hushl Not SO loud Yes; / know
I'm wicked (penitently) oughtn't to
be here with you at all when I'm going
to marry some one else. "
"You're going to -. Nan, is this
true?'
"Mr. Rathbone, . said Angelica droop-
ing.
care you engaged to him?'
"He will ask me tonight"
"How do you know that?" curtly.
"Oh, Ronald, don't be SO absurdl
How do l know?"
This was convincing.
'Well, he's consummate fool, " said
Ronald savagely
"Thanks. . she murmured.
And. moreover. he could not pos
sibly love you
"Thania once more. 4"
"Or any one else except himself; but,
of course, | see that he has advantages.
Oh, dom trouble to explain what they
are l see them How pleased every
one will bv. especially mammal 1t 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 it?'
inquired Angelica presently
"No," shortly
II felt drop of rain. Are we far
from home, Ronald?''
Eyes; about three miles.
"Oh, DEAR Are WEI Why don't you
turn quickly, then2 Don't you see it's
going to be wet?"
Il thought you were steering.
rudely
"You might help me-" she said
plaintively. Juggling at the rope.
He gave a swift stroke or two, and
they swung round. There we're angry
masses of clouds drifting toward them
over an uneasy, ruffled sea.
"Why don't you row faster? We
shall never get homel she exclaimed
petulantly.
1.-THE tide is strong and the wind is
against US. I'm doing my best.
Ronald, what was that? Oh, don't
say it's lightringi I'm more afraid of
it than anything i'll the world. Oh,
listen r.
There was subdued but sullen roar
in the distance. now dying away, now
gathering force and cracking ominous-
ly.
Ronald was that thunder said
Angelica waveringly.
There 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