The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-07-19

after"
Meanwhile Eustace and Coral were
driving leisurely along the smooth road.
shaded by tall branching naples, that
led to little village ten miles away.
Coral sat with flushed cheeks and bril-
| liant eyes, drinking in the beauty of the
/ day and scene. This half holiday was
so new and delightful to her, and she
enjoyed it so much, that Eustace caught
her enthusiasm and felt thrill of hap
piness tingle along his veins to which
he. the tired, world weary man had long
been a stranger: Suddenly loud crash
of thunder startled them, and Coral ut
tered cry of dismay ooh, Mr. Win
throp, look there We cannot escape
the storm" Eustace gave one quick
| glance at the black masses of clouds
rapidly o'erspreading the heavens; and,
grasping the reins firmly, gave word
of command to his horses. They obey
ed his will and fairly flew over the
ground. Perhaps we can reach the
takes us" he said; sat any rate we will
try" Meanwhile the storm was rapid
| " gaining upon them. The bursts of
thunder became more frequent and the
lurid flashes of lightning illumined the
inky masses of clouds with an ominous
glare Suddenly there came a crash as
| though heaven and earth had come in
collision, and giant oak a few rods to
| the right of them, tOttered and fell
riven by the fiery bolt that nearly blind
ed Eustace and Coral. The horses, mad
with terror, reared and plunged, then
| bounded forward at furious pace
| The light carriage rocked and swayed,
| threatening every moment to over
turn. Eustace sat white and rigid,
every nerve strained to the utmost,
striving to control the now unmanaga-
BILE horses. After a time the firm,
steady tones of his voice had the desir-
ed effect. and their mad gait steadied
into swinging trot. Eustace glanced
at Coral. Every vestige OF color had
vanished from her face. leaving it like
marble: but there was no fear in the
clear eyes that met his.
Poor little girl" he said tenderly
The violence has passed, although |
am afraid it has spoiled all your pleas
ure, bit the village is very near and we
will soon find shelter
In few moments they drew rein be-
fore the large hotel The veranda was
thronged with fasllionably dressed men
and women. some of whom Eustace
had seen before. AS he assisted Coral
to alieht. they heard one girl say:
''Wha little nun, Her dress looks
as though it came out Of the ark. |
wonder who she is Il do not know,
replied her companion, tlashlly attn
ed young man. But that is young
Winthrop with her. and they say he is
worth cool half million at the least
calculation. Il wonder where i'll the
world he managed to pick up that little
doWdy3' the girl replied.
Every word was painfully distinct.
and Corars face flushed crimson, and
her lips quivered piteously, as Eustace
| I'd her to the beautiful ly appointed
come She whispered, half sobbing.
answered her soothingly. Coral do
not heed one word those iii bred people
may say. Your dress is pretty and APP
propriate, so think no more about it. |
must 90 now and have the horses cared
for, but will return in moment"
Coral removed her hat, smoothed
back the ripping waves of shining
hair, and looked critically in the long
mirror. Her dress, white muslin,
was simply yet tastefully made, and at
her throat was fastened a cluster of
moss rosebuds. Very fair and dainty
she looked. and more than one in the
room glanced at the slight, graceful
figure admiringly. Eustace returned
i'll few moments, with dainty basket
filled with bananas and early pears.
Would you not like some fruit,
Coral?" Tea will not be ready for an
hour yet, and | think the long drive
must have given youan appetite. | am
sure it has me, SO | got the pears,
thinking that perhaps you might like
them you are very kind" she said
gratefully They look very tempt
ing" Eustace saw that her cheeks still
glowed, and that the eyes she lifted to
his We're still moist, and he sought by
merry talk and laughter to turn her
thoughts from the sneering words she
had heard. After tea was served, they
started for home The air after the
shower was refreshingly cool and sweet,
and the sun was slowly setting behind a
bank of crimson and gold They were
both silent for some time, drinking in
the beauty of the scene. Then Eustace
aroused himself, and began an animal
ed conversation. The musical tones of
his voice, as well as his rare descriptive
powers, charmed Coral, and she sat a
delighted listener Suddenly she turn
ed her face toward him. Mr. Win
throp, are you not sorry that you did
not ask Marian to drive with you this
afternoon instead of myself?' She
would have looked as well as any of
those young ladies that we saw, while |,
am only plain, awkward little girl
Sorry he echoed, most certainly
| am not but very, very glad that you
did me the honor to go. If had not
cared for your society, should not have
asked for it, and if you call yourself a
little girl, l am inclined to think | like
little girls very much-or one at least, :"
| he added roguishly But here we are
| at home | expect they have been
| looking for us for long time. Well:
never mind, it is not at all late, only
| eight o'clock
Coral fastened into the house, while
, Eustace cared for his horses. Her
mother was in a terrible rage. You
| shameless girl" she screamed, red with
| fury. so you have come at last; |
wonder you did not stay all night
YES" chimed in Marian, You bold
| forward chit, what do you suppose peo-
| pie will say of you? going off with a
stranger and stopping until this late
| hour
why, Marian it isn't late. 1t is
Only eight O'Clock, and
| BE silent, Coral" interrupted her