Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-08-25
A Cheerful Liar.
IOriclnnl.l

.H'"pc tiic neat Of the city went to the
seashore. On the beach the morning
after his arrival he noticed a lady
whose appearance he admired greatly.
"hc was about twenty-five years old
ana tastcrully dressed aud had Il strong
race ana an independent niicn. Castor
sat on the beach where he could look
ut her rs well as the bathcrs ana be-
tween her and them divided his nttcn-
lion. When the lady tired of them she
put up huge parasol, took up hook
ana began to read. At noon she arose
and went to her hotel.
This was repeated daily. The lady
was never seen by Mr.. Castor with
any one else. lie saw her 20 in and
come out of her hotel, but never In
company. She did not appear on the
piazza or on the beach during the aft
ernoon nor In the drawing room In the
evening. Castor was obliged TO bc CON
tent to see her for a couple OF hours I'm
the morning Not finding any one TO
give him an introduction he set about
contrivlng to scrapc an acquaintance.
One morning he went to the city, and
when he returned In the afternoon he
had with him handsome stickpin, n
large pearl In II birds claw. The next
morning lie approached the lady, lifted
his hat most dcfercntally and said:
II beg your pardon. found this pin
nt
where YOU had been sitting May
ask IL ii Is yoursf'
The lady looked ut the pin, put her
hand to her throat, appeared surprised
and said.
II had my pin with me yesterday
ana thought had 1t now, but see
haven't. didn't know that had lost
1t. Thank YOU very much"
Mr.. Castor made n remark about the
pleasure II gave him TO restore her
jewel, but since 1t did not appear from
her manner that she desired the Incl
dent 10 form basis for nm acquaint-
ancc he bowed again and passed on
But he was astonishcd. He had found
no pin, and he was not aware that she
one he had given her and did not even
give him permission 10 chat with her
What did It mean? She was certainly
lady. But would every lady have
the strength OF character To refuse Il
jewel To be obtained so easily?
Mr.. Castor was much put out lie
had no objection TO buying woman's
favor. but when bought he expected
the goods 10 be delivered lie pur.
poscly passed the lady later In the
morning while he was walking from
the foam line up the Incline of the
bench. She did not notice him. He
looked at her the next morning on the
beach, but she gave him no recognition
whatever. Castor when cool had good
enough Judgment. but when irrltatcd
1t vanished. He made up his mind
that the lady was waiting for more
OF the same kind.
The next day he went TO the city
again. and on the following morning
the lady received through the mail n
little box containing solitaire dia-
mond ring With 1t was II bit OF pa
per on which was written, also found
on the beach"
The next morning Castor went to
the shore solicitous as to the result
OF his daring experiment. The lady
was not there. hut Inter he saw her
coming. followed by man whom
Castor Judged to be n porter AS soon
as she reached the beach she pointed
to Castor. ana the man approached.
Handing Castor the box he had sent
the lady. he said:
IT ain told to say that you have
made II mistake"
Castor, colorlng. took the box and
showed II in his pocket. The lady
turned her back broadly upon him.
What did 1t all mean? Was she play
ing him for big stake? Probably not
for she left the beach at once and the
next morning did not appear. She had
gone from the place. Castor went
back to the city much discounted.
The next winter, one evening, while
Castor was In one OF the orchestra
chairs Mt n thcntcr. on looking up at
one OF the boxes lie saw the Inysteri-
Gus lady of the seashore. He. did not
catch her eye and man OF the world
as he was, hnd not the assurance to
look up again. During nm intermission
hc felt tap on his shoulder, and Il
gentleman he did not know asked him
II he might see him for moment
without. Castor's heart sank. He OK
pcctci TO have 10 answer for an insult
to II lady. The man did not stop, MS
expected, at the foyer, but passed
through 1t, mounted flight of stairs,
passed down the gallery and entered II
box. Castor, following, stood before
the lady of the beach.
II have sent for YOU" she said, "to
return what supposed belonged to me,
but was mistaken. owned stickpin