Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-06-15
"Well, he's q consummate fool"
cai6 Ronald oaya0aIv

sibly love you
''Thanks-once more"
cor anyone else, except himself.
But, of course, I see that he has ad-
vantages. Oh, don't trouble to ex-
plain what they arel see them. How
pleased everyone will be, especially
mammal 1t will all be quite delight
full"
There was silence. The sun had
disappeared and the blue sky had
turned to gray.
''It's not so pleasant as it was, is
it?" inquired Angelica, presently.
''No," shortly.
IT felt drop of rain. Are we far
from home, Ronsld?"
''Y es; about three miles"
ooh, dear; are we? Why don't you
turn quickly, then? Don't you see
it's going to be wetP"
81 thought you were steering, "
rudely.
"You might help me-" she said,
plaintively, Juggling at the rope.
He gave a swift stroke or two, and
they swung round. There were an
CRY masses of clouds drifting toward
them over an uneasy, ruffled sea.
why don't you row faster9 We
shall never get home" she exclaimed.
petulantly.
1.-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 it than anything in the
world. Oh, listenl"
There was a subdued but silent
roar in the distance, now dying away,
now gathering force and cracking
ominously.
Ronald, was that thunder" said
Angelica, waveringly.
There is generally thunder when
it lightens," he answered, with bitter
sarcasm.
But we're out in an open boat, miles
from home or shelter of any kindl'
'I am aware of that.
She gave pathetic little gulp and
pressed her hands together
"Oh-hl There's another fashl
Ronald, I'm going to faintl"
Faint? Nonsensel" he returned
roughly.
Nonsense? What do you mean,
Mr.. Grant? How dare your I sup
pose have right to faint if choose'
I-ahl"
Crash, rattle, rattle, bangl
CRACK!
'Put that over you," said Ronald,
sternly, wrapping her in his mackin-
tosh 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.
ooh! how can you be SO heartless
and cruel?" she moaned. "You don't
care how much I suffer- Men are al
ways like that"
"And women never, of course" put
in Ronald, with quiet irony.
"Oh, don't-don't be 80 hard! I
know I'm a wicked girl, and this is to
punish me!' A vivid CLEAN shot up
in the heavens, and something seemed
to burst over their heads. ooh, Ron
add lin frenzy of terror save me,
save mel Oh, let us die together! 1
love you, oh, you know l do! Don't
look at rue SO coldly; forgive me, oh,
forgive me, Ronald" Angelica hid
her face in the cushions and sobbed.
''I can better bear to die with you,
dear, than to live without you," said
Ronald, tenderly. There was sus-
picious twitching about his mouth,
but he mastered himself heroically,
and it did not become smile.
A silence followed. The thunder
rolled and tumbled away to the west,
and presently there was CLEAN more
brilliant than any before.
What's that awful light?" moaned
Angelica.
"Look, dear. It's the SUM-"
"The sunr' she started up in con-
sternation. cit can't be, Ronald lin
dignantly). 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 danger?"
"Yes-yes, of course. Only ]
oughtl"-haughtily--" perhaps now,
Mr.. Grant, you will take me homer
Eyes, I'll take you home, Nan.
They'll be surprised, won't they, al
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.
CHOW, you're not going to be tire
some?"
MAN." he answered gravely, 81
do hope not. But, Of course, a life
time is severe test"
"You know it is only because wal
frightened It's mean advantage
it's ungentlemanly"-her voice dice
away weakly.
Ronald (provokingly)-"Are 20,
quite sure you didn't mean all yol
said?"
Angelica (tearfully)-"It's so alb
surd! Mamma will be 80 angry"
A Woman's Long Suffering.