Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-06-10
A LITTLE PINK LADY.


bewitching, coquettish, mischievous, good.
hearted girl in Hovemouth stood before the
morror in her bedroom at the hotel, gather
ing the billowy folds OF her muslin frack
a-4a. her waist my the means of sa, a
sash, and looking buck at her refs, Ion 80
abe did so. On her head was pink triumph.
s-in other words, shady hat--in hei Is es
lay a twinkle OF mischief. and her cL.Aon
sunshade lay on the bed.
A few minutes later, fully equipped, Miss
Mary Grlington passed through the vesti-
bule. There was tSve.-worn trunk in
one corner with two Initials on %, on which
her eyes nicsered with u goam Of satisfac-
ton, then she stepped into the garden, and
on down the cliff path leading TO the beach,
When this was reached she s,ackened pace,
sauntering as II TO breathe ozone were her
only object in life.
The tide was out; the beach was deserted
save for shrimper far ont by the rock
pools the sand was smooth and yellow, as
tempting to the ierrule of sunshade as
sheet of fair paper to a scribbler At any
rate, the temptation seemed too great for the
ferrule Of Miss Girlingtous sunshade; with
a nonchnlant air she prodded and scoopcd
little tunnels ia IL, then, with elaborate
oarelessness she tralled the pretty sunshade
up and down in something a trife more
shapely When this was done she gave a
surrcptitious glance at her mtrry eyes
toward the cliff path, .hen sauntered on
across the beach. trailing her sunshade as
she went.
Soon after the dainty pink figure had dis
appeared round a group Of rocks second
figure came down the cliff path to the beach.
4 man, this time, Of moderate height,
honest features, and tanned complexion
He strolied along aimlcssly, smoking cigar,
and looking alternately out TO sea and at
the surrounding scenery The solitary
shrimper seemed no intruder on the de-
serted beach, and the newcomer spread his
arms slowly, and gave a huge stretch Of
contentment.
Its good to be in England for time"
he thought, "and free-and idle-in little
| place where no one knows, or cares, whether
/ you re power 10 the land or trupper from
town. But wonder what fate led me here,
of all places in the wordy
/ Then, like the pink lady, he sauntered on,
but now his eyes were on the ground, and
Ye prodded with his stick as he went.
When, however, he reached the spot where
the smoothness had been already ruhled, his
thoughts received a jerk; there were two
| great letters written In the sand. and hall
consciously he stopped to read them. Then
suddenly he stepped back, and gaaed again.
That's odd, he murmured at length
and his face flushed, and his eyes were inter.
ested. Its nothing. OF course. But 5. FL
It's queer coincidence" Then he noted
the small footprints and the trail Of the sun
shade, and unhesitatingly he followed them
At the end Of the trail be found the pinl
lady-the daintiCst little person he had evei
seen-and he stood abashed before her Al
she looked up with wide, innocent eyes, as j
half startled at the intrusion. But he die
not turn away.
Il beg your pardon" he stammered
but / feel almost as If couldn't hell
speaking to you.
She smiled tolerantly. $50 many sa.
that" she sighed
His face fell "Ol You are one of-o
that sort"
"No." she replied calmly, "but they su
. I am"
He paused. q am no gallant" he de
clarod, simply, "but plain, unpolished-'
"Ah am not that" she admitted.
P But hope you don't think 1t disrespeei
e ful or extraordinary Of me TO speak 10 yo
like this-wiihout introductiol:'
Il have been led to believe il is natural,
she said demurely.
His grave eyes twinkled. lie felt eager a
boy.
Il must tell you that had been ordere
home for rest from lndia-not III, yo
I know, but tagged; that | did not want t
c come much, and did no, know where to go
E that while travelling along to-day ! saw tn
S sea here, and left the train and came TO Il
Thought | would be led by fate for awhile
. Fate is no respector Of persons, sue said
, depreoiatrgly, but with brilliant smile.
"This evening" he continued, Il took m
first stroll on the beach, and there, on
spot have never set eyes on before, ] sax
I my own initials written on the sand.
Z Miss Girington looked up with innocent ir
o terest from under her shady hrim. "Siretcl
h ing far nway from those letters was fam
+ trail across the sand, and at The end Of tina
r trail-you."
"Well!" said Miss Girlingion, in wonde
ment. Glow strange Were there real
lettersT
Really letters. s. f. Ny name is Stepl
e en- Fortescue," he volunteered.
stephen Fortescuel The-the great
+ Eyes" he said. hurriedly. Il suppo'
/ they say so'
"Well, l neverl" she exclaimed, in so
excitement.
THAT is my excuse and my apology Il
Il addressing you Il seems as Il Fate"
g Had taken to sand copy books" 81
r queried.
"Or sat at the end Of the final flourish
I he suggested, boldly.
l. 60" said Miss Girlington. She did NJ
i dislike his bolduess, but 1t was unexpecte
as. f." she said, musingly.
'You wrote my initials, and ] came,
: said, gently.
e Il Think think only meant 81
e Fair" she objected. noticed the baron
a ter as came through the vestibule"
Is "Well," he said, thoughtfully " Pom II
o word, don't think it matters Steph'
II Fortescua or Set Fair. The point is th
n You wrote it. and came. May sit dow
= please?'
=. The tide was still out. The shrimper W
:. far away. The beach was deserted. b
u the man who was so honest and winnin
and after all il was Fate's doing, so 81
crumpled her pink pillows and gave perm
sion as graciously as If the rock had be-
"a her private opera box