Little Falls herald., 1900-12-28
MAID JJD 3
I BY +. II. LANCASTER. 8

It had been six months since Harold
... oolcomb, much elated BY the responsi-
5:slities Of his position, had landed on the &
s,::t Of coral rock known as the BeImudas.
e had been sent in semi official ca
,acity to examine the magnificent float
ing dock which Great Britain had built
3,pon this tiny possession of hers, which
S go miles square and the home Of the
s:argest floating dock in the world :
The Notifications were built in the good,
solid English fashion, and the garrison
with two regiments Of infantry made
the society Of this miniature world pleas
antly gay. Holcomb had the friendship
Of the soldiers, having rendered some serv-.
ice to one Of their officers whom he hadS
met abroad, and he liked them, for they
were a set Of hearty, loyal fellows.
That was before certain maid of the
Bermudas came upon the scene. & A
charming English girl, with fine faxen
hair and wide open eyes Of trusty blue:
She was the only daughter Of a retired
naval officer who had made his home on
the largest Of the 305 islands and lived in
a quiet little home not far from the cause
way which: makes the two largest islands as
one. =. = = r =. - s.2-
Holcomb had been made welcome at
this house on the day of his arrival. The
old captain had a penchant for anything
American, as he was wont to declare.
| Harold liked the easy unconventionality
Of the old ladg's tea, the strolls with Sir
Rodney among: his lily-felds and the
games of tennis with the younger MEM
! bers of the family. But he had been ,
! frequent visitor for several weeks before
| he. learned of the existence of this blue
| eyed, blond-haired daughter, and their
| first meeting after her return from Eng
| land was awkward enough. Striding up
| the drive in his tennis fannels, swinging
racket and whistling messroom air,
he had nearly run over the dainty little
lady, and had stopped in hot confusion.
~ttDear me-" she exclaimed. *1'm sure
| beg your pardon. That is the air Lieut..
Gaines whistles good deal, and T." 81
But Hocomb interrupted her hastily.
"f there is an apology due, please allow me
to make it, I was little late for my ap-
pointment with the boys, and" .:sr,, ~.
ooh, yes. Why, of course. Then please
don't let me stop you" ~ E2$
"But you spoke of needing some assist
ance. If you will allow me"
"Just that spray of oleander, then.
| Thank YOU"
*:Not at ALL" He lifted his hat and
moved away, slowly, too busy with his
| inward vision to notice that her blue eyes
! held hint of admiration in their dane
| ing depths. Without being fop, Harold
| knew that he was fine appearing young
! American, and looked his best in tennis
| fanne}s The knowledge did not unnerve
! his play.
"Wel," exclaimed Sir Rodney's heir,
3'that's your fiftieth game, Holcomb. You
| have played like fiend. Let's go in and
have some tea. I dare say sis is riding
with Lieut. Gaines, but mother will have
mercy on us" :, = ...-
Thanks, but I've an engagement with
fellow at the club. So long!' :,
"Lieut. Gaines be hanged" he muttered,
| as the gate clicked behind him.
| Harold Holcomb's report had been kind
| " commented upon by the men who were
above him in uthority, and he had thought
himself happy man. But: he had not
left Bermuda and truly did not feel par
ticularly joyous as he strolled by Miss Grow.
ner's side between the oleander hedges that
inclosed the fields of Gala lilies.
RI don't believe any other spot on earth
equals our dear little Bermuda" the little
! lady was saying. H. " ~ =
"No, dare say not" he replied absent
! w. Then rousing himself to the attentive.
Where else in the world could you see
such fields as these-acres upon acres Of
golden headed lilies. How fortunate it is
| the bulbs are not harvested until the
! flowers fall" ~~|@~ S-' s
/ eyes, they are lovely But don't you
4 know, like the oleander better than the
lily. Just see that hedge-a mass Of foamy
pink ~ .~.. -. -. :%~s
EYES," he replied, cts an ideal spot. !"
J There are good many like it IN Ber-
muda - - s. =. v,,;s: - -
care there?'' S..
stYou cannot know much about Bermuda
If you ask that question: She was be-
ginning to be nettled BY, his persistent pre-
occupation.
Il know only three things abont Ber-
muda." Harold spoke sharply. For the
putting keen edge on pain and now pain
was beginning to make him savage. At
shat moment his only feeling toward the
dainty little lady at his side was a bitter
resentment Why did she. encourage his
attentions, when she knew.the restriction
and knew, too, that he did not understand
! them when she first began receiving his
| jealous attentio The English girl's quiet
! tones broke in upon such thoughts. M
"And those three things are?''
Your pardon. First then, your cedar
trees live forever; second, your donkeys
never die, and third. thatyour women never
| marry Americans.
'sRares bits of Information, truly. May
7 ask of whom you cleaned them: The
smnii, e had faded from her lips and angry
sparks were in herseyes.
Harold looked at her stupidity
eI don't know" he said, .s,.owly. 57s.
Allow me to assist your memory with
suggestion Lieut. Gaines q
Yes,'' he replied, still slowly. s At any
I rate, it was Gaines who told me that Amer
leans were not allowed to become property
holders here.
. Certainly, that is true. But the obliga-
tion ofrenouncing paltry partimony would
not prevent a girl Of any sense oh, let
us Ia TX about sonnet hing else. We are both
stupid this evening. =
Ho8comb drew . step nearer TO her and
bent down : long, foamy spray u: :oleandd.
Beyond the lily fields could be seen tie
Ssnowswhite stone houses Of laborers and
farmers cleaning IN the slanting hkht.
IS