The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-01-03
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side of her yacht and looking down
on man in a boat.
"How good of you to have me- he
replied, cordially, looking up.
He ran quickly up the ladder and
caught the hand she offered him. She
could not meet his questioning eyes,
but turned away and dropped into
basket-chair, under the shelter of the
deckhouse.
"Well?' she said, as he drew up a
chair beside her.
"Well," he echoed softly, and
touched the back of her hand lightly
with the tip of his fingers. you
are wonderful, Mamie. Have you
made a bargain with Time that he
leaves you Unframed by his blight
ing wing? You look exactly the
same as when we parted three years
ago"
"Three years?" she interrupted
quickly. "Oh! it can't be as long as
that"
Hasn't the time seemed long to
you?"
Moves" she answered, confused
ly. 81 mean-you see, so much has
happened to me since then I've lost
count of time
"Poor little woman. l wish | had
been at home during your-trouble;
but there were prospects of fighting
on the frontier. and l couldn't get
leave. and. as a matter of fact |
didn't hear of Georges death till
December-nearly three months
afterward. Why didn t you write to
me? ?" he added. reproachfully.
, 81 couldn't" she said. shortly.
Her mouth was trembling and her
fingers nervously picking nt the silk
fringe of her sash. He thought it a
trife absurd for an eleven onths'
widow to display emotion at the
mention of husband who had treat
ed her notoriously badly. and for
whom she had never pretended the
smallest affection.
She jumped up and stood at the
top of the ladder to welcome the re-
turn of her guests.
81 think you know them ALL" she
said looking over her shoulder at
Maj. Tempest; sit is only family
party, with the exception of Sir
Christopher Sheridan and Miss
Baird
Miss Baird?' he repeated. what
Miss Baird?"
But Mrs. Lambert was watching a
tall gray-haired, elderly man, who
was still in the boat, and did not an
swer.
Anthony Tempest leaned over the
side of the yacht and looked at the
ascending party-two men and two
girls. One of the girls turned her
face up.
"You here!" she cried, smiling.
"Oh!"
Tempest felt his heart beat un-
comfortably fast and the blood sing
in his ears, as he inter. lpted his
hostess introduction.
'We are old acquaintances. Miss
Baird and | met in India last winter
What is troubling you to-night?'
said Sir Christopher, kindly. you
look desperately sad
He was sitting alone with Mrs
Lambert in the bows. From the deck
saloon came the sound of music and
songs from comic opera to An.
thony Tempest's guitar accompani
ment. There was little wind, and
the lights of the yachts looked like
low and wavering stars against the
dark sky.
81 am lonely"
"Come to me-"
81 have told you before-I cannot
Do not ask me again.
"Tell me why. You have said that
you would tell me-now," he urged.
"There is some one else" she an
swered, Slowly, dropping her head
"You know what George was-and
, had friend
, 'He was more than a friend.
loved him, and now that | am free
!, "He still loves you?"
"Yes."
. Sand you?"
He peered through the darkness.
and tried to read her face.
Not now"
"Then come to me-"
"Do you still want me-after this p
"Yes, if you want to come"
"When will you marry me?" h,
} said, presently.
! 81 don't know-perhaps never" sh,
answered, despondently. I'm no
free"
"But you will be?"
) 81 don't know"
The music ceased somewhat alb
ruptly; the two performers declared
the saloon too hot, and strolled ou
on to the deck, where they slowl,
paced up and down. After awhil,
---- -
they came to standstill close to the
wheel.
!, 80 our delightful week is over,
! she sighed.
: 81 wonder if you are half as sorry
!, as am?" he said. miss Baird-Joar
!, tell me, are you really sorry? Dc
!, you care for me little?"
' "You know l care very much" re
piled the girl, looking straight intt
his pleading eyes.
+, He took her in his arms and kissed
her passionately, then almost pushed
! her from him and turned away will
I a groan.