The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-01-06
CAUGHT In A STORM
EfT HERE 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 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 provoking
REFER coat, her hat was tilted little
forward and the breeze darted in
among her curls, tossing them merrily
about her face. She was 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. II really
cannot allow you to be so f1attering."
IA cousin is nondescript, varia BILE
sort Of being-at times an absolute
stranger, at others a sort of second
hand brother-in that capacity ex-
tremely useful. OF course, that is some
thing; but still"
81 think it's a great deal; but see
you are the same as ever. You always
were a 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 if you tried"
"If tried? How funny! Ishouldn't
know-you see most people think
she regarded her shoes inquiringly.
Il dare say; but l am not most peo-
ple.' / stand alone."'
81 thought you were sitting down."
interrupted Angelica. (She certainly
was provoking to-day.) "And wasnt
aware that you were alone. But per-
haps don't count"
MY dear, that's the worst of 1t. You
do count, and there's no one else in the
world who does. just worship you.
Nan! Have | startled your"
mot at ALL" she answered politely.
"You see they all say that or something
equivalent" She turned her head lit
tie and dobbled in the water with her
hand.
"oh, yes, knowl Of course, I'm
presumptuous fool. All the same, l
have thought lately"-he paused and
then added: do you remember last
week at Cowes?"
"Yes,' said Angelica, radiantly. ION
that afternoon-I don't mind telling
you, Ronald-I very seriously consid-
cred falling in love with you. There is
yacht quite close to u.s." she added,
hastily; 81 considered. and after due
deliberation decided"
"Well, Nan?"
"Not to fall in love with anyone at
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.
confess don't quite see how"
'Well, 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
safe! A Paris hat. I-well, l have
heard that they're something ridicu-
.ous.''
They are absolutely ridiculous.
That fact alone" said Angelica. SOL
smnly. "is enough to make any thought
Of love impossible and wicked"
Except for anyone with a heart,
with a soul, composed in fact of any
thing but shallowness and vanity"
My dear boy, if you go or" she said.
encouragingly, you will 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. If you knew
what the word meant" he burst out
vehemently, you could not sit there
coolly breaking my heart in your
hands,"
Hush! Not co loud. Yes; know
I'm wicked (penitently). Ioughtnt 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 to him?"
He will ask me tonight" 80
How do yon know thatT' curtIE i,
"Oh, Ronald, don't be so absurdl
How. DO I know?" rst =
This. was convincing. : =. - =, >.sss
"Well, he's q. copsummate fool. .azasd
Ronald, savagely.
ssThanlrS - che vxau~x.r-.I