Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-12-20

appeared and the blue sky had turned
to gray.
cts not so pleasant as it was, is its''
inquired Angelica presently.
NO, " shortly.
''I felt drop of rain. Are we far
from home, Ronald?''
eyes; about three miles,
"Oh, dear Are weP Why don't you
turn quickly, then? Don't You see it's
going to be wet?'
''I 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, rut1ied sea.
"Why don't you row faster? We
shall never get homel'' she exclaimed
petulantly.
'.The tide is strong and the wind is
against us. I'm doing my best. y
Ronald. what was that? oh, don't
say it's lightningl I'm more afraid of
it than anything in the world. oh,
listenw
There was a subdued but sullen roar
in the distance, now dying away, now
gathering force and cracking ominous-
ly.
Ronald, was that thunder?" said
Angelicn waveringly.
''There is generally thunder when it
lightens, y he answered, with bitter sar-
casm.
"But we're out in an open boat,
miles from home or shelter of any kindP'
81 am aware of that.
She gave a pathetic little guIp and
pressed her hands together.
"Oh-hl There IS another flash Rom
aid, I'm going to faintl"
Faint? Nonsenser' he returned
roughly.
Nonsense? What do you mean, Mr.
Grant? How dare you? suppose have
right to faint if choose? I-ahr'
Crash, rattle, rattle, bang C-r-a.c-kI |
"Put that over you, said Ronald
sternly, wrapping her in his macintosh
coat
"But it doesn't rain. and that makes
it m-much more dangerous, d-doesn't
it, Ronald?''
Much more, " he answered merci-
lessly.
"oh, how can you be SO heartless
and cruel?' she moaned. "You don't
care how much I sufferl Men are al
ways like that
And women never, of course, 7" put
in Ronald, with quiet irony.
"Oh, don 't-don't be SO hardl I
know I'm wicked girl, and this is to
punish mel' a vivid gleam shot up
the heavens and something seemed to
burst over their heads. "Oh, Ronald,
Gn frenzy of terror) save me, save mel
Oh, let us die together! love you, oh,
you know dol DON'T look at me so
cold! Forgive me, oh, forgive me, Ron
| ald!' Angelica hid her face in the
cushions and sobbed.
II can better bear to die with you,
dear, than to live without you," said
Ronald tenderly. There was suspi-
cious twitohing about his mouth, but
he mastered himself heroioally, and it
did not become smile.
A silence followed. The thunder roll
ed and tumbled far away to the west,
and presently there was gleam moro
brilliant than any before.
"What's that awful light?" moaned
Angelica.
Look, dear. It's the SUM-"
"The sunr" She started up in conster-
nation. 'It can't be, Ronald (indig-
nantly). Do you mean to tell me the
storm is over?''
81 think it's passed by. You seem
annoyed Aren't you glad we're out of
dsnger?''
"Yes-yes, of course. Only thought
-thaughtily) perhaps now, Mr.. Grant
yon will take me home?''
eyes, I'll take you home, Nan.
They IL be surprised. won't they, at our
news?"
News? What-what do you mean?"
gasped Angelica.
81 think you know" There was no
mistake about his smile now.
Ronald" she said .pathetically,
'now you re not going to be tiresome?'
Nan, " he answered graveIy, 81 do
hope not. But of course lifetime is a
severe test.
"You know it was only because I
was frightened. It's mean advantage
its ungentlemanly' y''-her voice died
| away weakly.
Ronald (provokingIy) - Are you
quite sure you didn't mean all you
said?
Angelica (tearfulIy)-It's go absurd
Mamma Will be SO angry Mary Mac
lean in Madame.