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

"There are some advantages, =" said
Ronald meditatively, Sin 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's s
hands were thrust into the pockets of
provoking REFER coat, her hat was tilt
ed little forward and the breeze dart
ed in a among her curls, tossing them
merrily about her face. She was a di-
minutiye 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, 'I regret that
am in any way related to or connected
with you
Ronald, she exclaimed, 81 really
cannot allow You to be SO fiattering.''
A cousin is a nondescript, variable
sort of being-at times an absolute
stranger, at others a sort of secondhand
brother-in that capacity extremely
useful. OF course that is something,
but still''-
81 think it's a great deal, but 1 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 wayg-oh, you
could still be nice If you triedr'
elf triedl How funny shouldn't
know-you see. most people think''-
she regarded her shoes inquiringly.
81 dare say, but am not most peo-
ple.' 1 stand alone. f"
"I thought you were sitting down, Z"
interrupted Angelica. She certainly
was provoking today. ''And / WASH t
aware that you were alone, but perhaps
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. 1 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
a little and dabbled in the water with
her hand.
"Oh, yes, 1 know OF course, I'm a
presumptuous fool. All the same havo
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 a
yacht quite close to us, +" she added hasti-
ly. 81 considered, and after due DELHI
Grafton decided''-
We'll. Nan?"
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. 1
confess 1 don't quite sec howl
Well, it doesn't always go with
other thingE.'
"But is it not worth more than-oth-
er things?"
Ronald" replied Angelica some
what irreIeyantly, ''have you any idea
of the price of Paris hat?''
The left rope again. All, now we re
safel A Paris hat? I-welI, have
heard that they're something ridicu-
Ions. -
"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 a soul, composed in fact Of any
thing but shallowness and vanity ~
My dear boy, if you go on" she
said encouragingly, fyou 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 is's ey-
erything. love you. If you knew what
the word meant" he burst out veaern-
emily, "you could not sit there coolly
breaking my heart in your hands y
"Hush! Not so loud. Yes; 1 know
I'm wicked (penitently). oughtp't to
be here with yen at all when I'm going
to marry some cue else.
You're going to =. Nan, is tEis
true?''
"Mr. Rathbone, " said Angelica droop-
ing.
Are you engaged to him?'
He will ask ne tonigbt.''
How do you know that?'i curtly.
"Oh, Ronald, don't be SO abs1.r,s !
How do I know2''
This was convincing.
''Well, he's consummate fool, y said
Ronald savageiy.
Thanks, - she murmured.
And, moreover, he could not pos
| sibIy love you''-
"Thanks once more.
''Or any one else except himself; but,
of course, I see that he has advantages.
/ oh, don't trouble to explain what they
are! 1 see them. How pleased every
one will be, especially mammal It will
all be quite delightful.
There was silence. The sun bad dis