Middletown transcript., 1903-10-31
CHAPTER 1

Well, ii you won't come out, auntle,
shall 60 down to the shore with Dido,
said fresh young voice.
must finish this letter to Robert, dear,
s'auntie" answered. The mail goes to-
morrow; and he will be SO dreadfully
disappointed if there is no letter. For,
you know, 1 did not write last week.
Robert, poor darling, shall not be dis
appointed! the girl laughed. Give him
my love; and tell him that most proba-
bly, my new photographs will be done by
next week; and if they are, he shall have
one. And now I am going. Bye-bye,
dearie; and don't expect me until tea
time.
The girl took a sailor hat OF white
straw, bound with white ribbon, from
the sofa, and set it carelessly on her
golden curls.
Come, Dido! she said briskly.
A huge retriever appeared from be-
meath the table, and followed her out Of
the long window, which opened on to a
narrow strip of lawn; and they made
their way from the cottage down the
cliff.
Now do r-ay be careful how you 20,
Dido! the girl cried to the dog, just as
she might have spoken to man. Ifyou
don't travel cautiously, you'll be making
false step; and then, when get to the
foot, there will be nothing but general
smash to weep over.
Dido, as became an intelligent dog,
moderated her pace, and walked sedately
by her mistress's side until they reached
the firm level sands. Then the golden
haired girl picked up stone, and threw
it with all her force into the water. The
dog dashed in after it; and with laugh,
the girl walked on, laughing still more
when Dido came tearing after her, shak.
ing all the salt water over her blue serge
dress.
Such glorious afternoon it was! The
village of Sandune, perched on the top Of
the cliffs, lay in a blaze of golden light,
and the waves, which usually seemed in
tent upon tearing down the cliffs, had
ceased from their efforts for time, and
had apparently only sufficient strength to
lap languidly upon the sands, which ran
far out from the shore.
The girl, with the big dog for company
walked briskly along the firm wet sands,
towards the west, and after awhile sat
down on rock to rest. While the girl
sat down the dog roamed about, slipping
in and out Of the shallow pools. shifting
at the sea-weed, and poking her nose into
every corner and crevice she could find.
, If you take my advice, Dido, the girl
said presently, you will come here and
recruit your strength for the walk home.
We've come mile and half, if it were
straight walking-which it is not; and,
by the time we get to the cliff, you'll be
dragging yourself along as il you'd walked |
fifty miles.
But Dido, being engaged in an exciting
chase after a small crab and sea-ane-
none, took no notice whatever of her
mistress's advice, and presently suffered
in consequence, as a dismal howl pro-
claimed.
Now what is the matter? the girl cried,
jumping up and running to her. Oh,
Dido, poor old woman! What bad
business!-for large crab had caught her
paw in vicious grip. Here, let me un-
fasten it!
She released Dido from the crab; but
unluckily the creatures other claw seized
upon her own little white hand, and the
girl uttered an agonizing shrek Of pain.
My dear child, stand still, voice said
imperstively. I will have it off in an in
slant.
A firm hand caught hold of the disen-
gagged claw and thrust the end Of walk
ing stick between the forceps. In one
moment her hand was free.
I'm sure you're awfully kind, she said,
trying bravely to bear the pain, and sue
ceeding very badly. But the crab had
hold of Dido; and I'm afraid she's very
much hurt.
Never mind the dog, her deliverer an
swered. wish had some warm water
to bathe your poor little hand in. 1t is {
almost crushed to pieces.
The girls slender white hand, with a |
great purple bruise across it, was still
lying in his broad strong one, and he
was trying to shake the crab off the end 9
Of his stick.
Could you bear to put it in the water? G
he asked. i
The girl shook her head, and two great
tears rolled down her cheeks, and fell /
upon his hand. K
dare not! she answered, half sobbing. | I
I'll go straight home and put it in warm
water. =
lam afraid it is hurting yod dreadfully, /,
he said in commiserating tones. a
Horribly! she answered candidy. I'll +
wrap it up in my handkerchief, and rush {
home at once. Oh, have left it be- {
hind me! \
Use mine, he returned promptly, draw
ing crimson silk handkerchief from his a
pocket. I will wrap it up for you.
The girl stood quite still until he had K
the task, and then she laughed
through her tears. t
You are like the good Samaritan, she C
said, raising her soft violet eyes to his b
keen blue ones. You must come back
with me, if you don't mind, she con- fl
;inued, that my aunt may thank you for s
your kindness.
You live with an aunt? 81
1? Oh, no! At least, we are staying
herewith a soft half-laugh. We ale h
yoing to stay in Sandune six months. d
And that reminds me that ought to tell
you who am, since that wretched crab
Introduced us without mentioning either 3
If our names a
And 1 too, he interrupted. My name
8 Gerard Fane-at your service. Now, Q,