The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-09

spite the water lilies and few aquatic
plants that mottled its clear -surface,s or
the sedge that clung to the bases OF 'lne
statues. He disported for some moments
in the delicious clement, and then seated
himself upon one OF the haf-subnerSed
plinths, almost hidden by reeds. that had
once upheld a river god. Here lazily rest
ing himself upon his elbow half h S body
still below the water, his quick ear was
suddenly startled by Il ruStling noise and
the sound of footsteps. For a moment he
was inclined to doubt MS senses; he could
see only the empty path before him ana
the deserted terrace. But the sound became
more distinct, and. 10 his great uneasiness.
appeared to come from the other side
OF the fringe Of willows. where there was
undoubtedly path TO the fountain which
he had overlooked. His clothes We're under
those willows. but he was at least twenty
yards from the bank and an equal distance
from the terrace. He was about to slip
beneath the water when, to his browning
horror, before he could do so. a young
girl slowly appeared from the hidden will
low path full upon the terrace. She was
walking letsurely with q. paraSol over her
head ana book in her hand. Even in his
intense conformation her whole figure-a
charming one in its white dress, sailor hat
and tan Shoes-was imprinted on his mem
Dry as she instinctively halted to look
surprise to her.
a sudden idea flashed upon him. She was
at least sixty yards away: he was half
hidden IN the reeds and well in the long
shadows OF the willows. If he remained
perfectly matiOnless she might overlook
him at that distance, or take him for one
Of the statues. He remembered also that
as he was resting on mis- elbow, his half
submerged Body lying on the plinth be-
low III q JyraS cp,,,a1 -I,at IN, Of
tude of one OF the river gods. And there
was no other escape. If he lived he might
not be abe TO keep under water as long as
she remained. and any movement he
knew would betray him. He stiffened him
self and scarcely breathed. Luckily for
him his altitude had been a natural one
and easy TO keep. 1t was we'll too. for
she was evidently in no hurry and walked
slowly. stopping from time 10 time to adj
n1ire the basin and its figures Suddenly
he was insti1ctvely aware that she was
looking toward him and even changing
her position, moving her pretty head and
shading her eyes with her hand as if for
better View. He remained motionless.
scarcely daring 10 breathe. Yet there was
something so innocently frank and unds-
turbed in her observation that ne knew as
lnstinctiveiy that she suspected nothing
and took him for a half-submerged statue.
He prsathed more freely. But presently
she stopped glanced around her, and,
keeping her eyes fixed in his direction.
began To walk backwards slowly unit.
she reached a stone balustrada behind her.
On this she leaoed and sitting down
opened in her lap the sketch book she was
carrying, and taking out a pencil. to his
horror began to sketch.
For wild moment he required to his
first idea of diving and swimming at all
hazards TO the bank. but the conviction
that NOW his slightest movement must be
detected held him motioness. He must
save her the modification of knowing she
was sketchinS a living man, if he died
for 1t. She sketched rapidly but tixedly
and absorbedly. evidently forgetting all
else in her work. From time TO time she
held out her sketch before her TO COM
pare it with her subject. Yet the seconds
seemed minutes and the minutes hours.
Suddenly, to his great relief, a distant
voice was heard calling Louie" 1t was a
woInan's voice; by its accent it also SEEM
ed TO him an American one
The young girl made a slight movement
of Impotence, but did not look IN and
her pencil moved still more rapidly. Again
the voice called this time nearer. The
young girls pencil fairly few over the
paper as. still without looking up she
lifted pretty voice and answered back:
"Y-e-e-s."
It struck him that her accent was aIso
that Of compatriot
Where on earth are your" continued
the first voice, which now appeared to
come from the other side OF the willows
on the path by which the young girl had
approaced