The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-01-06
"And, moreover, he could not posi-

of course, l see that he has advantages.
| Oh, don't trouble to explain what they
arei see them. How pleased every
one will be, especially mammal twill
all be quite delightful"
There was a silence. The sun had
disappeared and the blue sky had
turned to gray.
Its not so pleasant as It was. is II 2"
inquired Angelica, presently.
NO" shortly.
81 felt drop Of rain. Are we far
from home. Ronald?"
"Yes; about three miles"
"Oh. dear; are we? Why don't you
! turn quickly. then? Don't you see it's
going TO be wet?'
81 thought you were steering"
rudely.
"You might help me-" she said,
pIaintively. tugging at the rope.
He gave a 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.
THE. tide is strong and the wind is
against us. I'm doing my best"
"Ronald, what was thatP oh. don't
say it's lightning! I'm more afraid of
1t than anything in the world. oh. lis
tent"
There was d subdued but silent roar
In the distance, now dying away. now
gathering force and cracking omi-
Eously.
"Ronald. was that thunder?" aid An
Eelica. waveringly.
''There is generally thunder when It
ightens." he answered. with bittersar
casm.
but we're out in an open boat, miles
from home or shelter of any kindl"
81 am aware of that"
She gave a pathetic little gulp and
pressed her hands together.
"Oh-h! There's another fla.h. Ron.
ald-I-I'm going to faint!"
Faint? Nonsense!" he returned.
roughly.
Nonsense? What do you mean. Mr.
Grant? How dare you? suppose
have right to faint il l choose? l.
ah!"
Crash. rattle, rattle. bang. C-r-a-c-kl
"Put that over you," said Ronald
s.ernly, wrapping her in his mackin-
tosh coat.
"But it doesn't rain. and that makes
it m-much more dangerous. doesn't
it, Ronald?'
"Much more." he answered. merci.
iessly.
"Oh! how can. you be SO heartless
and cruel?" she moaned. "You don't
care how much | sufferl Men are al.
ways like that"
"And women never. of course" put. In
Ronald. with quiet irony.
"Oh, don't-don't be SO hardl ]
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!
Tin frenzy of terror) save me, save
mel Oh, let US die togetherl love
you. oh. you know do! Don't look at
me so coldly; forgive me, oh. forgive
me, Ronald" Angelica hid her face 10
huC CuSuIOuS auu bOODcu.
II can better afford to die with you.
dear. than to live without you." said
Ronald. tenderly. There was a suspi-
cious twitching about his mouth, but
he mastered himself heroically, and II
did not become smile.
A 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 2" moaned
Angelica.
"Look, dear. It's the SUM-"
"The sun!" She started up in con
yternation. "It can't be, Ronald lin
dignantly)). Do you mean to tell me
the storm is over?"
81 think it's passed by. You seem an
royed. Aren't you glad we're out OF
dnnger?"
"Yes-yes. of course. Only thought"
haughtily-"perhaps now. Mr.. Grant
you will take me homer"
"Yes. I'll take you home. Nan. They'll
be surprised. won't they. at our news ?'
News? What do you mean p" sped
Angelica.
II think you know" There was no
mistake about his smile now..
Ronald" she said. pathetically
snow. you're not going to be tire.
some?"
Man." he answered. gravely. "I do
hope not. But. Of course, lifetime is
a severe test"
You know It was only because was
SO frightened. Ik'S d mean advantage
it's ungentlemanly"-her voice died
away weakly.
Ronald (provokiugly)-Are you quite
sure you didn't mean all you said?
Angelica (tearfully)-It'ss so absurdi
Mamma will be so angry.-Mary Mac
lean. in London Answers