The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-10
CAUGHT In A STORM
"THrRE are some advantages

being cousin, after all"
He addressed Angelica, who sat OPP
posite him. All about them was deep
blue serenity--on one hand stretching
away to meet in line with a fainter
azure, on the other merging distantly
into long shining masses Of greenish-
brown rocks, with ragged cliffs tower
ing above them. Angelica's hands were
thrust into the pockets of a provoking
REFER coat. her hat was tilted little
forward and the breeze darted in
among her curls, tossing them meriily
about her face. She was a diminutive
person IL all respects save two. which
two were particularly large, brilliant.
languishing, and in every way dan
gerous.
But on the whole, Angelica" added
Ronald, deliberately. Il regret that
am in any way related to or connected
with you"
Ronald" she exclaimed Il really
cannot allow you to be so flattering."
"A cousin is nondescript. variable
sort of being-at times an absolute
stranger, at Others sort OF second
hand brother-in that capacity ex-
tremely useful. OF course, that is some
thing; but still"
81 think it's great deal; but | see
you are the same as ever. You always
were n greedy little boy" said Angelica.
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 tried"
"lf | tried? How funny! shouldn't
know-yon see most people think ~
she regarded her shoes inquiringly
Il dare say; but | am not most peo-
Pile i stand alone"
~ thought you were sitting down"
interrupted Angelica, (She certainly
was provoking to-day) And wasn't
aware that you were alone. But per
haps-l don't count"
"My dear, that's the worst ofit. You
do count. ard there's no one else in the
world who does, just worship you,
Mani Have l startled you?"
mot ut ALL" she answered politely
"You see they all say that or something
equivalent" She turned her head lit
lie and dsbbled in the water with her
hand
"Oh. yes, | know! OF course. I'm
presumptuous fool All the same.
have thought lately"-he paused and
week at Cowes?"
Eyes said Angelica, Iadiantly. "On
that afternoou--i don't mind telling
you, Ronald very seriously consid-
cred falling in love with you. There is
a yacht quite close to us she added.
hastily; q considered. and after due
deliberation decided"
well, Non?"
Not to fall in love with anyone at
all"
you mean"
Ronald, il you don't row, how can
| steer? We don't want to be swamped.
Love is so inconvenicnt."
You're pulling the wrong rope. l
confess don't quite see how"
We'll, it doesn't always. go with other
things"
But is it not worth more than
other things?"
Ronald" replied Angelica, some
what irrelevantly. have you any idea
of the price of Paris hat?'
The left rope again. All, now we're
heard that they're something ridicu-
lousr
They are absolutely ridiculous.
That fact alone" said Angelica. sol
EMMY, lis enough TO make any thought
of love impossible and wicked"
Except for anyone with a heart,
with soul, composed in fact of any
thing but shallowuess and vanity"
MY dear boy, il you go on" she said,
encouragingly, you win in time make
the most accomplished fiatterer of the
age.
Don't jest with me, Nan. It's moth.
ing to you, perhaps, but to me it's
everything. ! love you. II you knew
what the word meant" he burst out
vehemently. you could not sit there
coolly breaking my heart in your
hands"
"Hushl Not so loud. Yes: | know
LIN wicked (penitently). oughtn to
be here with you at all, when I'm going
TO marry some one else"
You're going to--Nan. is this true -
"Mr. Rathbone," said Angelica, droop-
ing.
Are you engaged 10 him?"
"He will ask me tonight"
How do you know. that?" curtly.
"Oh. Ronald, don't be so absurd!
How do l know"
This was convincing
Well he's consummate fool" said
Ronald, sayageiy.
Thanks" she murmured.