Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-13
The CAPITULATlON
OF BARBARA 8 g

BY EDITH HIBaARD.

ACK MERRIHEW was sitting on
u the piazza of the Howard. lie had
been sitting there for an hour and
more, keeping solicitous watch on
lake and sky, and trying now to grow
impatient over the abominable length
OF time she was making him wait.
Her tyranny grew more absolute
every day, yet he would not be freed
lit was too sweet. The last day of
ms vacation had come. Had his hopes
any foundationP Would it be better
TO wait her return to town before
burning his ships? He hoped he had
courage enough TO face a refusal
but refusal would end all this de-
hghttui companionship. Still, in the
meantime, what if some of these 9TH
er fellows! He sprang to his feet.
IL vas manifest destiny that she had
promised 60 sail with him this after
nom.
The wind was freshening and the
surface of the lake was ruffiihp up
in crisp waves, with every now and
then fash of white. Aspray of sweet
clover tell at his feet He turned to
lind hes standing in the DOORWAY, tan
talzinSly Pretty n green linen
gown, with a knot - sweet clover in
her belt, and calmly unconscious. ap-
parently, that he had wait. a mo-
ment for her.
1T may be a bit fresh. You uSnt
mind that, know" he said, as they
rowed out. only you might have to
help If the wind increased. If YOU
dislike that we can do something
else"
Nonsense! l wouldn't go for any
thing. You ought TO know by this
time that never turn back"
aarnara Whitney made herself ex.
'eeedinsly comfortable with many gay
cushions and watched Jacks prep
aratiors. She hardly understood her
self the unrcienting tyranny which
she had exercised over this man for
months. She had put i'm that hour
of his FESTIVE waiting in considering
the situation, upbraiding herself for
her unreasonable eXactions. acknovyl-
edging his devotion, foreseeing that
the coming tete-a-tete would almost
certainly bring their relations To the
crisis % proposal, and admitting to
herself that she would far rather saw
yes than no.
But l cannot say yes unless he
makes me-" she demonstrated. men
tally, aer eyes fastened on the 1.-The
grace If his athletic figure as he goi
up the sail. "He is the best bred,
the handsomest man bnow-and the
dearest, if only he would not adore
me with such abiect confidence in my
infallihle perfection. In his eyes the
queen cannot do wrong. 1t is terribly
exhaus1ing to be constantly on a
pedestal. I'm just human girll o,
Jack, dear, why won't you see it and
make he do things instead of letting
me command you? You are too medi-
eval, my dear boy, that's what YOU
are. | shall have to say mol never
could stand on a medieval pedestal,
and should get to hate you If you
persisted in thinking me a horrid
composite of myth and spirit"
Jack settled down as the boat
slipped out with the wind, the sheet
in one hand, the helm tucked under
an arm. There was just breeze
enough to run pleasantly, and yet
permit him to fill his eyes with
her, which he proceeded to do. The
curve Of the cheek next him, golden
bronze with the summers tan, the
round chin, the pretty, impertinent
little nose, the dark, sweep of eye
lash--he gave himself so intently to
the study of these that the dark
lashes lifted and let him have
bewildering glimpse of the gray blue
eyes.
AS they rounded a point the sail
Tapped loose, the wind dropped, and
the little waves flattened to smooth
water. The shippers occupation was
gone for a moment. The stage was
free for the lover. He moved nearer.
"A wave of warmer color ran under
meath the gold brown across her
cheek and throat, The mysterious
blue eyes-were they blue or were
they gray?-flashed sidewise glance
at him.
''I'm going down on the last train to.
night, he said, playing with the end
of coil of rope and bending forwa I'd