The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-03


mucn, I'm afraid.
Henry FELTON, pushed back his chair,
adjusted his ample coatwaist with
a series of little downward jerks, and
settled his doubled chin in corpulent
complacency, while mild interrogation
was expressed behind his eyeglasses.
He had enjoyed a very satisfactory
repast 1t seemed good to get up from
the city to the fresh mountain air and
the attractions of Laughlin's table, for
the modest summer hotel nesting
among the hills boosted an appetizing
menu
Those trout Ah-h! He could have
eaten a couple more.
His wife, by his side, for the Laughlin
house ranged its guests-not yet be-
ing given over to modern seating, and
family tables-gave him quietly indul-
gent glance.
You are always imagining, my dear.
Camilla is perfectly well, am sure.
Sally Terriss may tire her a trifle. l
have never seen such spirits"
How did Sally happen to come?
Thought she always went to the shore"
ooh, just a freak. She keeps Irving
on the jump from morning until night.
Half the time Camilla absolutely re-
fuses to join them-they take such ap-
palling trips The idea of girl fishing
the Ravine."
81 presume Milly and Radway-I
haven't got to calling him Irving yet
understand each other pretty well, ?"
YES l imagine that is settled be-
tween them, Henry, but they are keep
ing it quiet l haven't interferred.
Rather unexpected, his turning up here,
but he is queer fellow. 1t has been 60
ing on so long that no che will be sur
prised. Last year he followed us to
Gloucester, hung around for a week and
departed. Nothing came of it."
well, he is entirely worthy l guess,
and his income is all right. 1t won't be
a bad match. Come on, they are wait
ing to clear the table. Let's go out to
the piazza. hear Sally carrying on"
Yes, Sally was carrying on as usual,
and Irving Railways eyes sparkled as
the vivacious girl related to smiling
group her extrication from the perils
of the Ravine. cts beastly place."
cried Miss Terriss, wildly exciting!
Tn going again; Milly, you should have
been there. Mr.. Railway was actually
Obliged to carry me across. was dread
fully afraid he would drop me. I'm
agine it,"
Camilla FELTON, smiled family. "He
is strong and sure-footed," she returned
-fYou are safe enough, Sally"
f'O-ho! you know, then. Perhaps my
fisherman has logged you over raging
torrents, my lady" Her irresistible
laugh pealed forth merrily. Did he
hold you so? Or so?" her round white
arms explaining positions of close dis
comfort. 'And when he set you down,
did he-?'
"Ahem!" interrupted Roadway, loud
ly. 81 didn't intend to deposit my fair
burden in quite so damp a spot 1t was
200 bad that your feet should be wet
after dry passage, but you couldn't
wait. you know"
His bantering voice held a note of
warning. The girl caught the cue quick
ly. Eyes. you dumped me right down in
that horrid puddle and never apologized.
1 might have been bag of meal for all
the sentiment you displayed, and the
surroundings were so charmingly ro-
mantle, too. 1 hope he did better with
you, Milly?"
Mr. Railway has never had the op-
portunity," said Camilla, coldly, look
ing intently at both in the dimming
light Why did not Irving meet her
eye? Sally, too, was suddenly quiet,
gazing out at the near hills with an eX-
,clamation of interest as the edge of the
moon tilted over the pine tops.
The others chuckles- died away in the
consideration of fresh conversation.
No one minded Sally Terriss, anyway.
No one? The young man shrinking
into the shadow with a quick beating
heart, wondering why he had been in
sane enough to give way to that impul-
sive caress. She had invited it-yes,
that soft arm had chung lingeringly
about his neck, the dancing eyes had
beckcned, the sweet, parted lips were
very near. And her lashes had dropped
with a happy sigh before she laughed
anu cnlueu. VA, lne WlCcQ! Her spell
had been upon him all that day, drawing
him nearer and nearer, away from him
ssis, away from Milly-Milly, who was
TO give him her answer that very night
he SO unworthy. Bah! it was nothing
Sally knew nothing of his attachment.
She fiirted with every man and meant no
harm. 1t was only one of those little
things that happen. He was fortunate
to have checked that reckless tongue.
though.
Thus he endeavored to make smooth
his dereliction, glancing by degrees at
the slender figure, standing now by the
white pillar.
Miss Terriss suppressed yawn. I'm
chilly" she observed, rising; 81 have
to write letter. Good-by for an hour"
and departed Sally was always irrel-
evant.
Her going scattered the group. 81
think your father and will go in, too"
observed Mrs. FELTON,. Don't catch
cold, Camilla"