The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-10
d. moreover. he could not possi-

And. moreover. he could not possi-
bly, love you"
"Thanks-once more"
"Or anyone else. except himself. Eut.
Of course. see that he has advantages.
Oh. don't trouble TO explain what they
are, | see Them. How pleased every
one will Fe. especially mamma! 1t will
all be- quite delightful"
There was silence The sun had
disappeared and the blue sky had
turned - gray.
Its not so pleasant as it was, is Il? p
inquired Angelica. presently.
'.Non shortly.
Il felt a drop of rain Are we far
from horne. Ronald?"
"les; about three miles"
"Oh. dear; are we? Why don't you
turn quickly. then? Don't you see it's
going 10 br' wet?''
81 thought you were steering,
rudely
'.You might help me" she said,
plaiutiv,ly Juggling 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, ruffied sea.
"Why don't you row faster? We
shall never get home" she exclaimed.
petulantly
''Th- tide is strong and the wiud is
against us I'm doing my best"
"Ronald. what was that? Oh, don't
say rs lightning! I'm more afraid of
{, than anything in the world. Oh lis
,-ui"
There was a subdued but silent roar
in the distance, now dying away. now
gathering force and cracking omi-
rously.
Ronald. was that thunder?" said An
Lelica. waveringly.
There is generally thunder when il
ightens." he answered. with bitter sar-
oasm.
But we're out in an open boat, miles
from home or shelter of any kind"
Il am aware OF that"
She gave pathetic little gulp and
pressed her hands together,
"Oh--h! There's another flash. Ron
ald--I-l'm going 10 faint!'
Faint? Nonsense!" he returned.
roughly.
Nonsense What do you mean, Mr.
Grant? How dare you? l suppose /
Lave right to faint if l choose? /
ahi"
Crash, rattle ret,Is, bang, Crack!
Put that over YOU" said Ronald,
s'eruly. wrapping her in his mackin-
tash coat.
but il doesn't rain, and that makes
IL m-much more dangerous. d-doesn' I
y Ronaid?"
Much more" ne answered. merci-
iessly
oh! how can you be so heartless
and cruel?" she moaned. You don't
care how much l suffer! Men are al
Ways like that"
And women never. of course" put in
Ronald. with quiet irony.
"Oh. don't-don't be so hard!
know I'm wicked girl, and this is to
punish mel" a vivid CLEAN shot up to
the heavens and something seemed to
burst over their heads. "Oh. Ronald!
I'm frenzy of terror) save me, save
me. oh. let us die together! l love
YOU. oh. YOU know l. do! Don't look at
me so coldly: forgive me, oh. forgive
me, Ronald" Angelica hid her face in
the cushions and sobbed.
Il can better afford to die with you,
GEAR. than to live without you." said
Ronald. tenderly. There was a suspi-
cious twitching about his mouth. but
re mastered himself heroically, and it
dil not become smile.
\ silence followed. The thunder.
rolled and tumbled away to the west,
and presently there was gleam more
| brilliant than any before.
whats that awful light?" moaned
Angelica
Look. dear. It's the SUM-"
"The sum-" She started up in con-
sternatiog ''It can't be. Ronald dn-
| dignantly)). Do you mean to tell me
;he storm is over?"
Il think it's passed by. You seem an
royed. Aren't you glad we're out OF
danger?"
"ies-yes, OF course. Only thought
neutrality-suspicious. now, Mr.. Grant
you will take me home?"
Yes I'll take yon home, Nan. They'll
be surprised, won't they. at our news?-'
News? 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 tire
some?''
Nan" he answered. gravely. 81 do
hope not. But, of course. a lifetime is