Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-27

| FOR the hope and cheer In that whistlcd note
would rainbow the sky In food.
Celia 4. Berkstresser In LAdies' Home Jour
nal
Caught IN A STORM.
"There are some advantages, said
Ronald meditatively. "in being cous.
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
bsnds were thrust into the pockets Of q
provoking REFER coat, her hat was tilt.
ed q little forward and the breeze dart.
ed in o 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, lapguishing and in every way
dangerous.
But, on the whole. Angelica, add.
ed Ronald deliberately, II regret that
am in any way related to or connected
with you.
Ronald" she exclaimed, II really
cannot allow you TO be 10 fatteriDg.
"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 IL something.
but still
II think it's o great deal, but see
you are the same "a ever. You always
were greedy little boy" said An.
gelica.
Thanks You, on the other hand,
were rather nicer as little girl than
you are now-in some ways-oh. you
could still be nice il you triedr'
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.
pie. stand alone"
II thought you were sitting down, F"
interrupted Angelica. She certainly
was provoking today. And l wasn't
aware that You were alone, hut perhaps
I don't count"
my dear. that's the worst Of it. You
do count, and there's no one else in the
world who does. l just worship you,
Mani Have startled your"
mot at all. she answered politely.
"You see, they all say that, or some.
thing equivalent. She turned her head
o little and dabbled in the water with
her hand.
"Oh. yes. know! OF course, I'm q
presumptuous fool All the same have
thought lately He paused and then
added. "Do you remember last week.
at Cowes;"
"Yes. said Angelica radiantly. ION
that afternoon-I don't mind telling
you, Ronald-I very seriously consider.
ed falling in love with you There is a
yacht quite close to us, I" she added hasti
ly. 81 considered, and after due delib.
Grafton decided
"Well, Nam"
"Not to fall in love with any one al
all. "
lyon mean
Ronald, IL You don't row, how can
I steer? We don't want to be swamped.
Love is so inconvenient.
You're pulling the wrong rope.
confess l don't quite see how
well, it doesn't always 60 with
other things"
but 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? I-well, I have
heard that they're something ridicu.
lous
"They are - absolutely ridiculous.
That fact alone. said Angelica solemn
ly. "is enough to make any thought Of
love impossible and wicked"
"Except for any one with heart,
with o soul, composed in fact Of any
thing but shallowness and vanity"
my dear boy, il you 60 on" she
said encouragingly, "you will in time
make the most accomplished flattsrer 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. II you knew what
the woid meant" he burst ont vehem
entity, "you could not sit there coolly
breaking my heart in your hands. ;"
"Hushi Not 90 loud. Yes; know
I'm wicked (penitently). oughtn't tc
be here with you at all when I'm goinG
to marry some one else.
You're going to -. Nan. is thii
truei"
"Mr. Rsthbone. said Angelica drOop
ing.
"Are you engaged to him?"
"He will ask me tonight"
"How do you know that?" curtly.
"Oh, Ronald, don't be 20 absurd
How do knowl"
This was convincing.
"Well. he's q consummate fool. " said
Ronald savagely.
"Thanks, she murmured.
"And, moreover. he could not pos
dbly love YOU
Thanks once more"
"Of any one else except himself; but.
of course, see that he has advantages.
Oh, don't trouble to explain what they
arel ses them. How pleased every
one will be, especially mammal Il will
oil be quite delightful.
There was silence. The sun had dis
appeared and the blue sky had turned
to gray.
ats not 80 pleasant a. II was, is it,
inquired Angelica presently.
"No," shortly.
II felt q drop Of nin. Are We fal
from home, Ronaldl"
Eyes; about three miles"
"Oh, deafl Are wet Why don't yot
turn quickly, then? Don't you zee it,
going to be wetf"
81 thought you were steering.
rudelv. Feaf8