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1 the WASimsrGTcra times, Sunday, octobeb 21, is II .IShiwsbUru Wooing, Br Maeios Hni. "Do you think I could do that?" asked a woman. Her voice scorned to como out or the clear ' y. Theodore looked around and up. She .as on lle bridge above him, and was -xnng down into his boat and upon his occu : ation -with absorbing interest, for ho was candling a crab nt most dexterously. He iviic w her by sight as a sort of gonteel poor -elation of a Mrs. Biker, who lived in the e. isliborbood. She also know him by sight a, a working partner of old Sam Hurlbut, ffh ) a ted as middleman between theShrevvs l urv Biver erab beds and a fish stall in a third-rate Xew York market. "Do you want to come down and try?" asked he. "Yerj mush indeed." "I don't really see how I can run the boat up ciose enough to the bank; the tide is so low." continued Theodore. "Just run hr ashore as high as you can," sr-esaid. a trifle imperiously," ana Til get ab ard somehow." Mic disappeared from his iew and began to waik aciose the bridge. Theodore discontentedly laid ;aown his net, an J. scorning to pickup the oar, ho lazily moM1 1 himself and boat along by pushing a -"iin-jt the ool, wet piles of the bridge. Ai iicnerer an extra incautious sho e sent the riO I hie boat in among the piles he wel c med the diversion of extricating himseif. f-r he was in no desperate hurry to have his uay interfered with by a strange joung woman She was ready waiting by the time he neared the shore, and when be took the pole end of his net and pushed the boat well uu into the oose she stopped in oasiiy without anj blp. Even before seating herself she 1 i ked up one of the oars and with two or uree igorous digs sent the boat well out into the rher. "This is the coolest proceeding I've seen for months," thought the joung man wrnth fulh.aud plying hie pole" he painstakingly punned the boat back into shore again. She looked at him in amazement. "More crabs close in," he paid, laconically. "But you ere in the middle of the rher when 1 spoke to jou," she said. "And I was served just right for it, too," he said, "that is, I hardly got a crab." The girl said nothing. Theodore looked at her with an arttstir appreciation of color. While looking he made the comforting dis cover that the gir was pretty, and with the discover he lost all his chagrin and began to devote himseif to her. "Now you sit still for a while and watch me, ' he said with a radiant tcnile. Tms business looks mighty easj , but there's a knack to it all the same, ioe that big follow? Swash1 I've got him'" With an athletic swoop be brought up the dripping net full of wildly-flghung seaweed, and dumped the moss into the bottom of the boat. Out of the moss scuttled an immense erab which made straight for a shelter under the oung woman s dress. She screamed. "ihat ail nght! He won't hurt jou!" "OL oh! what a vicious looking beast!" -be wailed. Tim crab bad brought himself, after the 'aaLion of his kind, into a condition of petn- 1 quiescence, and was looking fixedly nnd wi"k dly at her. ' I never can stay in this boat; please lot mo out. implored the girl. "I beg of you to take mj word." said Theo dore ou can sit in a boat full of cralw and 2 jU will never get touched. Only you muetn t ut 5 our hand near them." bho sat down again only half condoled, but fvrgot her prejudices in the next excitement. &woor ' Another crab. "This is a soft-shell one. and perfectly harmkiss. lou can pick him out with your ngeri, ' said Theodore, m-vitiugly holding for h the not. -"Ob. dear, no' Take him out yourself!" sa. 1 sue, shuddering. lor the next few moments Theodore w rked quick) and successfully, inspired wi'h the knowledge that hie audience of one was watching him with admiration. Standing traight, with his eves fixed on the water, he tisc j his pole to propel the boat larilv along, rndjet every minute be made a triumphant s s-r to the right or the left and added a I crr.afd crab to his store. Through all his MCi int action he was wondering bow on c .rth he was to address his companion. He Lnew jicrfectlj well that she was called Het tli ili for he had often heard Mrs. Itiker call d :wn the lane after hor, but he did not kn :w whether Ma-v was a surname or part of tho f untian name, and he cert a nly did not dare rail her Hettie In the m:dst of this rcvenf she amazed and angered him by call ing out in terror "Oh. Theodore' poke that crab awav, it is coming straight toward me'" She called him In name as she would have addressed a lakej He did as she requested, but made an ex pen mental reply "1 ou needn't'be frightened, Hettie May, I toid on befor? that they wouldn't hurt j ou if you let them alone." hho gave him a frozen glance, under the in nocent indtgaation of whicn he felt a twinge of c nscience, but he said nonchalantly "3 hat is jour name, isn't it'" "Oh es. that is my name, certainly, but I was not aware that jou knew it." "Is r did I know that j'ou knew my name was Theodore." he replied. Sho appeared to be struggling with herself for a 5Pcond or so, at the end of which she exr a nei good-temperedly: "I never dreamed of annoying you by call ing uu Theodore, but I have heard Mr. Hurl but r rer to you so often by vour first name that I used it unawares. But call me Hettio Mav by all means." "Indeed. I beg your pardon," he said in vague apology, "and by way or entreating you to call me just Theodore I will painstak ingly keep mj surname from you." But to his indefinable disappointment she seemed perfectly indifferent, and merely asked politely: "May I take the net now and trj?" '( ertainly," he said, relinquishing it at once and staring moodily at her timid man agement of It. In friendij flirtations he was an adept and it set him back when lie was not met at 'least half wa. No disinterested spectator would have wondered at his chagrin, oitr, for he was as undeniably attraeth e as he wis a suc cess! ui crabber. "lou will have to oomo over here in my rlace." he announced, still gloomily. "Steady now give me jour hand." Alter a deal of unnoeessarv wobbling and band-clutching the change was affected, and the joung girl ew uusu aaiiy in tne prow, wniie Theodore sat himself opposite and pokod some fight Into the crabs. After an Interval of slow, uneven'ul pas sage through the shallow water Theodore asked sarcastically "Where ar jour crabs?" "I cau t e any." she reined, with eves glued to the stream. "lou have passed some of the flnost ones in the river." was his next remark. "I really did not see any'" she said pite OU6H. The fresh breeze bad loosened short locks of her hair, and was now blowing her drees affectionately close to her form. To keep her bat on she had ducked her head to the wind and was keeping one eye tight shut Alto gether she looked so unaffected, so pretty, so 301.ag.so everything that softens the heart of irau that Theodore same instantly out of his dis intent and became helpful. 'I k at that mat of sea cabbage." ho said. "Ea.Mi the boat nearer to it and Til poko a era out for jon. There! See that? Now wat '1 closely for Yourself. Don't vou see the-n Hnng in all the little hoh3 in the river bott ai' Just look'" ' 'Ii, I see, I see'" cried Hettie Mav, enthu 6lati"allv. "Give me the not. Watch mo get tht big one." There followed a lurch of the boat, a violent splash, a fine take of slime and seaweed, and bitter disappointment. Mv goodness' how did it get awav?" "Nevermind. Try another." Another lurch, more mud, and nothing else. T' is programme was followed for an hour ornc at theondof which time sho gate Tip ' v pelesslv. "I Lave not caught a single one," was her uunTcsarj announcement, "V -vou come out to-morrow noon at high tide 1 11 warrant you a flno catch!" he prom ised engeriy. A wonderful blush swept over her faoo at the fanoiod riuicala- "You are making fun of mo. No ono over goes crabbing at high tide." "Not with a net, no, of courso not; but wo will fish for them, will you come?" "Oh, yes, if I inny. It Aunt Emma has nothing'for mo to do." "I'll wait for 3 ou at Mrs. Riker's landing. I'll bo there at 12. Now change places with me again, for it's a long row back." He took off his coat to make her a bettor seat nud then bent his back to the oars. In stead of the jerky Jersey dip ho pulled a long, strong sweontbnt sent the little boat shudder ing through" the water like n creature of life. The sun had gone down unmissed In the bold twilight, and the breezy stillness of evening was settling down over the rising river. The scene was a study in green. Tho only varia tion was some white daisies, still awake, a few lagging clusters ot locust, and once a rare mats of real mountain laurel that, perfectly at home, bent its sticky white disks almost into the salt water. Both man nnd girl looked at it with an instant appreciation of its pres ence. "Do you want it?" he asked. "Oh,no;leao it whero it is," she answered. They were the only words spoken during the long row home. Over tho two had fallen a silencing realization of their somewhat pe culiar position. At last Locust Point landing was reached, and Hettie May -volunteered to get out. "This is where you stop," sho said. "I can walk homo." "If jou will allow mo I'll row up to Mrs. Hiker's," said Theodore, pulling with a steady vigor thnt needed no permission. Most of the Locust Point homesteads bor dered upon tho rher, but the descent to tho water was so wooded and steep that all tho houses were hidden from sight, so thnt, although -voices came now and then to the cars of the two in tho boat, no sight of unn miablo human beings marred tho perfection of tho scene. An exception must be mnde in favor of Mrs. Hiker, who was found to be watching their approach from tho top of her bank. "There's Aunt Emma," said Hattio May, gmltilj "l'e been crabbing. Aunt Emma!" Aunt Emmn nrosen ed a stony silence that remained unbroken even whon Theodore slighth raised his hat in recognition of her indisputable presence. Ho ran tho boat w ell to land, and Hettio May stepped ashore. "Good evening," said Theodore, pushing himself reluctimtlj- from shore, as she tped up the bank before ho could remind her of their next daj's engagement. But on the morrow he found that sho had not forgotten it. On tho contrary, sho was at the lauding before him. Sho had on tho snmo calico dros nnd straw hr.t of j csterday, but to his pleased ejes she looked -vastly prettier, and ho felt a mot unwarrantable thrill of pleasuro in seeing her. "o Aunt Emma?' " ho hazarded. "No 'Aunt Emma,' " she responded gajly, bnt in un undertone. "Sho was wild last night at my e-capado, but I got up at 5 this morning and weeded all the straw berrks, so she is resignea to lot mo waste a few hours more." "Vhv. I was up at 5 this morning, too'" ho cried, with a blissful sonso of companionship. "I should think jou would be up at that hour every morning," Ehe said. "Whj.J" asked Theodore blankly. "Does not your occupation call for it?" "Oh. jes, of course, ho answered. He had wanted her to ak the reason of his early rising in order that he might ox plaiu that he had risen betimes to clean the boat for her greater comfort. Now ho would eTplain nothing, so ho rowed silently clown toward the bridge. Tho heat was blistering, the water was warm oil, and the wind llko lire, and neither party felt talkative. "Do you think we can stand -very much of this-'" she askel. "Wait till we reaeh the bridge; it will bo cooler there," he said. "Oh, if we could only stay under it'" "That's just what we" are going to do." "Are we coing to fish under there?" "That sit." He cave a backward glance to gauge his distane1. and alter one more strong sweep he gathered in tho oars and the boat shot iteU into the cool, seaweedy shade of tho bridge piles, Here h moored bj mans of slack ropes fore and aft. so that the current mere! struck the boat with cool-sounding smashes and was powerless to carry them out into the mereiles sunlight. "I ve brought my own tackle nlong," de clared Hettie Maj, drawing some hooks and a lino out of her pocket. What for?" demanded Theodore, sur prised. "Didn't j ou say wo were going td fish for crab?" she asked, with her delicious and ready bluh. "Wo are indeed," he responded, "but we don t uce hooks; wo ue this." He produced two unsavory hunks of raw meat. "It's bad," sho said. "That is its special recommendation," ho annouueed gruosomely. "Oh, is it better that wa?" "Much. You take it like this, you see. nnd round it into a tigut ball, and then you fasten it to the end of this string as firmly as jou know how. Next j ou tie on a small stone for a sinker, nnd tho trick is done. Would you like to fix your own, or would j ou rather I did it?" "I'd far rather you did it," she rejoined. "All jou do is to throw tho bait out. feel when ittoucbes bottom, and then draw it up about a foot and wait till jou feel a quiet tug. Then tell me." They both lowered their bait and fell into a period of breathless waiting. Soon Theodora oast a glance of smiling intelligence at his companion and began to pull his line inch by inch. To his anxious companion his crawling cautiousness was fovensh exdtingh. When tho lump of meat appeared in dim outline to thoir sight Hettie May perceived that a huge crab was hugging it. "Please hand me the not," whispered Theo dore. She tendered him the short-handled net, and he soon dumped tho unwary prey into tho boat, with tho hollow, rattling eound that had grown so familiar to tho girl's ears. "Don't ho clash his legs horrlblj?" 6ho questioned. He tested her neglected line. ''There's a crab on it." he declared. "Draw it up very quietly or you'll frighten him loose. That's the way." "Isn't ho a beautiful big one" she breathed delightedly as she watched it through tho water tugging ct the meat. "Don't experiment any longer; tnko tho net," adised Theodore, "Oh, I can haul him into tho boat without auy net." sho protested. Theodore set his tetth together nnd let her try it The crub let go immediately ho felt air. "Thej' alwajs do that," he observed. "It's onlyoncom fifty times that jou can jerk them into the boat." As ho spoke he was hauling in ono of his own, then another and another. At last Hettie May felt tho mantle of success fall upon Ltr, and she, too, began to land crabs without number. Theodore put his into one wet sack, and hers into an other. "In 6uch hot weather they would all die if they were left exposed," he explained. Ihus two hours sped away until Hettie May, sated with 4aPturo, began to grow hungry. "I must go home now. Plcaso let me off at tho end of the bridge or up at Aunt Emma's, whichever is most convenient for jou " He decided that Aunt Emma's was by far the most convenient for him. and began to unmoor the boat. All the while he was rack ing his brain for some excu3o to make an other engagement with her. Was there noth ing else he could teach her? "Can you row?" he asked. "Oh, yes indepd," was her glad response. "Will jou let mo?" That did not chime in with his Idea at all, so he rofusod. "It is entirely too hot for you to row to-day. But any afternoon jou wish ono of my boats is at your service." "Thank j ou very much, but Mr. Biker has any number of boats, which I can uso at any time." Theodore consigned Mr. Biker and his boats to torment, and proceeded with his questions. "On tho whole, how do you enjoy crab bing?" "Oh, very much indeed, except when the crabs rattle across tho boat, though I am not so much afraid of them now." "No, indeed," he replied warmly. "Ono gels used to anything. Look at eels, now. lhj', they thrash around a boat like all 'got out, and you don't mind them at all. al though it's night and thoy feel like fifty thou sand snake3." . Her eyes dilated with terror. "Oh, please don't!" she begged. "It's true," ho protestad, "Haven't you ever been eel flEhlng at night?" "Never!" "Never?" ho cried in delight. "Well, como with mo somo night." "I wouldn't go for a million dollars," sho Bald. "There's nothing horrible about eels." ho grumbled. "Whoro do you go eol fishing?" she nskod. "Hero on tho Shrewsbury, of courso; thoro nro loads of thorn in tho mudholes aud in tho seaweed." Sho jerked hor hand out of tho water. "Oh. thoy don't lloat up on top in tho dnj' time, they only do thntatnlght nnd ut certain Beasons. Why, somo dark nights when tho water is highly phosphorescent you can traco them by tho sinuous glowing track they leao." "How I should liko to boo that!" sho ex claimed. v "Como out to-night then." ho said faith lessly, knowing perfectly well that there would bo a moon and tho promised exhibition there fore impossible. "Will jou bo ablo to come out to-night at about half-oast eight?" "Yes, I think so. Aunt Emma will Do ablo to come, too." "That's good," he said, hypocritically. "Ell be hero at half-past eight sharp." Tho boat's noso grounded in the mud, and ho jumped ashore to help his pretty companion out. "Don't forgot jour crabs," ho reminded her, tendering tho bag. "Indeed. I do not want them," sho insisted. "I was only crabbing for amusemont, and if you will allow mo to add mj catch to jours I will feol thnt I havo not waned jour time." "All right," ho said gruflh, nnd shot away down the stream. But his heart was leaping at tho thought that sho had really conseutod to go with him on n plonsuro row, Avithout any business-like projoct of fishing behind it. Whnn ho was in the mlddlo of the stream ho suddcnlj' opened the mouh of Hettio May's sack and emptied its contents into tho water. "I wouldn't hao hei first catch boiled nlho. It would bo sacrilege," ho muttered. "I'd like to bet a gold pleco that she doesn't know they're cooked alive." When he rowed up to Hikor's in tho even ing's dusk his spirit sank at distinguishing but ono faint figure. He rqwod near, experimentally. "It is I Hettio Mav," said her voice Theodore bumped tho boat jojfullj' on tho bank. "Aunt not coming?" was his brisk querj'. "I asked hor to como. and sho snid sho said, if jou're not big enough now to get along without mo tngging aftor jou, I'd like to know when jou will be. " "SLo's perfectly right," agreed Theodore. "So I'o como to toll jou I won't go," said nettie Mny. "What'" said Theodore, in leaden wrath. "Oh. no, I'vo left her nlouo all day and I can't lcao her to-night." "I'll tell ou what," said Theodore, "stc-p in, nnd I'll row jou bo quickly down to the bridge and back that sho 11 never knovvl'o been at nil." Just w hore thi" proposition differed from the proposed row it would bo difficult to toll, but Hettio Mnj considered it a harm less compromise and stepped in with alacrity. "Whoro is tho phosphorous?" she de manded. FortuDntelj for tho joung man, tho moon had not jet risen, and tho oars mrdo a milkj ripplo. He called her attention to it. "Let your hand trail in the water and watch the track It makes " "And run tho risk of patting an col on tho head? Oh, no!" she answered. Ho drow in tho oars and rested on thorn. "I beliee this current will carry us down to tho bridge us quick as I could make it," ho said conteutrdlj. shamolos liar that ho was, for tho boat barolv moved. and if it drifted at all, drifted sidowajs Jn tho onuhanted si lence Iheodoro got it into his drc.imilj con fused hoad that his soul was strung like an jEolian harp, and thnt ove.-y tuno ho breathed it swept its music through him That he was in loo with tho girl opposite him ho would never lmo admitted, hho was singing t-oftlj to herself nn nir that was at ouro familiar to him. and nt the amo time exasporatingly un familiar. If it was nn thing it vvns the soj rnno of Wagner's "Chorus of Pilgrims." SYhntlsthat jou nro singing?" he n3ked in a hushed -voice. "Ihnenttho sign of an Idea," sho said loudlv and unsemlmcutiill). "It's tln.o we got back. ' said Theodore Im mediately, and commfneed rowing -violently homew ard. By tho tlmo ho hnd mado tho now dark landing he hnd softened lioDeleslj again. At nil hazards he was bound to prevent her from sneodinc un the bink to the house Tho nijrind of fireflies Hashed around them, I actually lighting up tho leaves and flowers noarpst to thom. Ho moored his boat bug- i gestively to Bikers post, nnd stepped out I with Hettio May. Ho first planted himself f cloverlj boforc her in the narrow path, so j mat sno couia not get nonie witiiout walking deliberate into him This maneuer cheered his soul into conversation. "Did jou ever put fireflies into j'our hair?" he nsked, Insanelj'. "No. and I don't want to." "Did jou otr hold one, then?" "In mj hands?" "Yes." "No." Ho caught ono and camo audaciously uear her. "Hold out your hand," he said. Men whosaj, "Do this. ' "Do that," instead of "Will jou dothls" "Will jou do that?" meet with extraordinary obudionco. Hettie May held out her hand. He lincoringlj' put thebnllinnt little insoet into it. "Did j ou over hear the legend of the fire fly?" he nsked, musically. Sho shook her head. "Tell me." "Oh, it s no story, nothing to toll, onlv the Indians lohee that fireflies arc tho souls of dead Boldicrs wno hao fallen in battle and never known burial. Is not that a poetical thought?" "Ycrj horrlblj' poetical, and exactly like an Indian," sho added. "Now I must sny good night.' "Oh, certainly, I was only waiting to know whether jou wcro coming crabbing for soft shells and shedders to-morrow at low tide. You haven't caught any in thnt way, you know, but Inm sure I could teach jou, if jou will let me." "Are jou so sure of thnt'" "Quito sure. Confess now, you would llko to bo able, wouldn't you?" " 'We should Join hands in frantic sympathy, If once you taught mo tho uutcachable,' " sho quoted glibly. He pondered in scholarly amazo, and then said unthinkingly: "Aren't jou somewhat of n well-read young woman to be quoting Browning?" Sho laughed, and ran up the path. Then sho stopped and said in sudden surprise: "Aren't jou somewhat of a well-read joung man to recognize it as a quotation from Browning?" Ho reddened uuporceived in tho darkness, but urged nnxiously. "I am coming around to-morrow at low tide, may I?" Her response was non-committal: "You won't bo ablo to reach this landing at low tido; you will ba-vo to go to the house below to Stnnley's." "All right1" he cried cheerfully. On tho next day and on mnny succeeding days he worked hard to prevent Hettie May from netting a single crab. Ho ory soon left off asking whethor ho might call for her. be cause it came to bo so settled a thing that sho was to bo his companion. At tho closo of ono lazy, contented afternoon sho spoiled tho rest of the dav by announcing her intention of going to the city for a fow dnjs. "When aro jou going?" he uskod, "To-morrow." "But at what time?" "I am going to take tho 4:20 train from tho Atlantic Highlands." "It is a long walk over," ho suggested. "Very," sho assented. His heart rose. So she was going to wnlk. At least ho would manage to intercept hor and walk with hor. He set out on tho morrow in excellent time. But look as he might ho failed to see the one figure he looked for. During tho period of nis closest scrutiny of tho by-paths a carriage passed him. In tho carrlago was a -very beautiful woman, superbly drossed, and of undeniable fashion nnd position. Sho caught sight of Theodore and shrank back in her Beat to hide from his gazo herself and her miserable crimson blush. It was Hettio May, but Theodore missed her. He walked back again to Locust Point in a disappointment that orgcd on insanity. He no longer was ignorant of tho sentiment ho had for tho girl. Ho loved her. Ho loved her for tho sensitiveness that spoko in her coming and going color. Ho worshiped hor vivid beauty a beauty of outline as well as of tint, a beauty thnt wind, sun, and dirt could not destroy. Without her tho thrco dajs dragged miserably. On tho fourth ho went down to meet every train and boat that enr-o in. Of course she did not arrive On tho fifth dny ho wandered disconsolately around tho -various snots associated most closely with hor. Ho "finally throw himsolf nbldingly down by tho mountain laurel thoy had seen on tholr first row, nnd began to count up tho period of tholr acquaintance ship. Into his rov orio, nt this stugo, there in truded a f lint dip ot ours. What more likely than that Hettio May should bo rowing down tho river? Ho leaped to his feet, and looked across a few feo- of water into hor ojeb. "Hettio!" ho cried rapturously. "Hollo," she answered domuroly. "Bow in to shore," ho said. Very slowly and with rapidly-deepening color sho guided tho boat to shore. Her heart was beating excitedly, for tho rapturo in his bright young face was too pronounced for hor to ignoro. Ho hola out his hand to help hor; sho put her's in his, and nt thnt touch re sorvo ilew to tho v inds, and thoy wore in each other's arms. "I want you, Hottio," ho whispered, and bont to kiss her. Sho broke away and looked at him almost with fear. "I love you. and you know it." "Yo3 1 do know it, and I lovo you, but it is my disgrace!" "That is a word that canuot pass unox plained," he said. "Oh, jou know, joumuBt know thotorriblo difference in our stations." "How did jou find out that It existed?" de manded Theodore. "I'md what out?" nsked sho, blankly: "That thcro is adiircrcnco in our stations? I thought that jou still considered me a sort of nondescript fisherman in tho omplov of Sam HurlbuO' "Aud what are you if jou aronot?" nskod Hettie, turning a deeper rod. "Well, I'll toll jou, ho said, reddening In his turn. "I never tried to mislead jou, Hettio on my honor, I no or did. but your mistake amused mo at first, and I did not think it worth whilo to correct it. Then I learned oh, so quickly to lovo jou, and I dared not f 'II jou tho truth about" mjsulf, for fear j'our pride would muko ou send mo back into my own world my heartless world of fashion and folly. Por it is a more sum mer's amusement that calls mo down hero, and it is a mere whim that leads mo to crab frantically, and to turn my haul over to Sam Hurlbut. He reaps tho benefit, not I. Oh, don t turn from mo, Hettio!" "Who nro you then?" sho nsked. "My name is Thoodoro Tyndnll, and my father is Barry Tjndall, tho banker. "lou Ho in Now York?" "les." "On what street?" "Madison a-veuue " "Is your number 3258?" "Yes." ho admitted. "Don't worry, Hettio Mnj. My father may show mo tho door if ho wishes. and ho probably will, but I would rather btio jou than all tho wenlth in tho w orld. Look up, darling, and say j ou bo lievo mo'" "Oh. I believe yon," sno snid, "and ranvbo jour tulhnr won't show jou tuo door after all. for 1 am Hester Mnj Mortimer, and 1 Iivo in the hou&e not to -vours'" "N'o!" shouted Theodore. "les " "But 'Aunt Emma'' " "Oh. Mrs Kiker is a dear, stern old nurse of mine who, whtn sho heard that the doctor had proscribed for mo outdoor occupation, brought iio down here, whero she has carried out tne doctor s advice. Wo all cull hor 'Aunt' because sho is such a loving old soul." "You cau't hvonetdoorto us." said Theo dora dogmatically, "or wo should havo met Lcforo." "Como to Now York now and ' provo it," sho said teaslnglj. "Mnj Mortimer," he said, still aghast. Sho nodded with intense enjoj aient "Win. we will have to begin nil over again," belaid mefullj. 'ot nil ocr again," sho falterod, auda ciously, "ots begin from the time I stopped off that boat." He did so, promptlj'. Ladies' Homo Jour nal. Unavoidably Prevented. Cnpt. Bnss was. like all seamen a strict discipliuanan, and his crow respected him bejond measure. Not ono of them would bue dreamed of Interoreting a command ot'.erwl'o than according to tho strict Iettor of tho law, things must bo done "shipshape" under his rulo. One da whilo tho ship was in a certain small rort tho captain gave a dinner to some town acqu ilutuuces, and as the resource- of tho ship were not great, somo of the sailors woro deputed to wait on tin table to re inforce tho insufficient number of stewards. A these men were not ued to such work each ono was told exactly what service would fall to his share. Tho hour came and tho dmnnrwontmernlj' on. Prccntij, however, ono of tho ladles wanted n piece of bread. Thoro was none cry near her. nnd tho finely d'soiplined stewards seemed to be quite oblivious to her need. She turned her head nud spoko erv softlj to the man at her olbow. "Bread, please." sho said. Ho looked rogrotfullj at the bread nnd then at her. It was evident that ho woul fain hao helped her if it had been in his power. Ho saluted in fine naval style. "Can't do it, ma am." said he. "I'm told off for 'tater3!" louth's Companion. The Little King of cpnul ir his dashing, prancing Ghoorka warriors mado a perpetual circus for our little King, so nlso his forests and jungles and rhors af forded him n tremendous and -vnrlod me nagerie, compared with which our "greatest show on earth" was but a dime museum: for horo wero bear ana wolf and leopard, tigor, hjena, nnd jackal, elephant, rhinoceros nnd wild buffalo, wild goats, vultures, and fal cons and eagles, golden pheasants and jungle fowl. From his palaco perch in tho cold senon, he could spy the Bhootljan herdsmen lend ing in great llocks of sheep and goatJ over mountains from Thlbot,eery httlo creature carrjlngits pack of smnll sacks filled with borax, salt, and saltpeter, and behind the came trains of sturdy, pluckj' ponies, and fierce, shaggy dogs from tho northern high lands. Sometimes ho could seo great troops or long trains of carriers coming into the city, bringing tea and musk, paper plant and jnk's tails, honey nnd wax, beads, precious stones, and coral, spico aud betel nuts, indigo and ormilion. St Nicholas. Where the Injury Came In. Tho elevator boy In tho hotel was a great friend of Jack's and gavo him a ride every timo Jack wanted it, but a timo came when thoy censed to loo each other. "What's tho matter with you and tho ele vator boj', Jack?" asked his father. "Don't you speak any more?" "No," snid Jack. "He put mo out of tho elevator last night." v "What for?" "Becauso I punched him." "Well, wasn t ho right to do it?" "Certainly he was," said Jack, "but ho needn't have put mo out on tho tenth iloor nnd mado mo walk down." Harper's Young Teople. Q Another umbcr. Pattio Poploy I hato widows! That hor rid Mrs. Weeds is tho most selfish woman I ever saw. Sho is always looking out for Num. Der One. Salho Slydig I don't think so. Sho soems to mo to bo always looking out for Number Two. Now York Herald. A PRAYER TO OSIRIS. On a Sarcophagus at Edinburgh. "Guide thou my bark." So run tho piteous words, So and with faith, upon this coffin-stone With the still wlnps of Egypt's mj stlc birds And strango bright crooping creatures over grown Lord ot a kingdom's soul and flocks and herds! You started on tho lonoly voyago alouel Would no dusk daughter of your languorous land, No palm tree's sistor with tho desort's grace, Leave for your sake hor warm world's sun and sand And take beside you lust a woman's place? Or did you shako away tho clinging hand And shut your blind eyes on tho wistful face? You thought to land somowhere,In golden dow, Whore tho whito souls of Nilo's dead lilies float What dark whim of your pilot-god drove you, Oh, most forlorn! spite of tho prnj or you wrote. To this gray islo of rock and heath, .wheroto The Scotch mist clings, dumb in your dead man's boat? rail Mall Budgot. Golf and Girls, Copyright, 1801, by 31adgoBobortson. Thoro is a brilliant rocoid by a woman on golf links which would of Itself sllonco for ever all remarks reflecting upon tho inability of the femlulno mind to fathom the mjstories of golf sticks. According to tho jolumo in tho Badminton Library, Lady Margaret Scott, after performing B0cral other brilliant feats, "defeated Mr. A. H. Dolcman on tho ladles' courso at Ljtham, St. Anno's in a local match by I up and 3 to play, establishing a rec ord (femininely speaking) for tho links a rocord of 80, which would have been Beeral loss but for an unfortunate bunker resulting in nn 8 at tho Inst hole." Tho joung lady's style of play also shattered tho feeblo objec tion that golf was not a graceful pastime for women. Hors is tho style of a golf player from inmncy, charmingly easj', as nearly per fect as posslblo, with a full swing that la raro enough even among men. La'dy Margaret w on the first ladles' cham pionship at Ljtham in 1893 a chnmplonshlp similar in all conditions to thnt for men. Sto has also competed in Cotswold Club at How-ou-tho-Wold. at tho Cheltenham links at Cllvo nill, and has holed tho lull cuurso at tho famous Westward Ho in nfncty-ix strokes. In the tournament of tho Bath La dies' Golf Club a most exciting contest sho won tho open scratch medal with a rec ord score of sov ent y, being fourteen below tho nest scoro returned. Miss Pearson, Lady Margaret's rhal, is a romarkablj good plajer, careful and effec tive. Sho shows what nerve and steadiness w'll do for a girl golfer. Mrs. Cameron's play this j ear is delighting plavers on tho other sido of tho Atlnntic, and indeed thero are now hundreds of good plaj era among women. Golf Is prettj- well known on this continent, and one meets links oven in tho far West Thoro aro seoral good courses down the Pa clflo coast. But as jet it has notwithu3 made the same huoc among tennis player3 that It has In England Tennis is here still the gnmi par excollence for girl", and proba bl j bj' tho timo golf has run its course and retired into obscuntj so far as women nro concerned for another couplo of decades, tennis will bo taking a fresh lease of life. In England, however, the dovoteerf of tennis nro forsaking their crstwhllo idol and l;ilng trib utes at the links. Miss Dodd, to whose skill ful ollevlng 4ind back lino piny the tennis championship has been over and over again adjudged, is now makmg a record at golf. Hor tennis training has btood her In good stead, and sho shows exceptional ta'ent. Tho SI tch gives nn accounf of a recent match between Miss Dodd nnd Mrs. Cameron. They wero plnving for the iHdies champion ship, and Miss Dodd finished even at the eighteenth holo, but unfoi'unatoly got "bunkered in," and was then beaten in pla mg oil the dociding hole. If this stealing of us votaries keeps on, and if it is true that tho height of English girls is duo to this stretchitig after balls in tennis, will the rneo of tall girls die out'9 Will the next generaMou be short' Will they Lae long arms extended from the swinging of golf sticks? 3Iqre pernicious still, will the bad temper, which is pirt of a golf game, since no human being ean remain amiable throughout its ordeal', bo transirittel, and a nation of shrews mhaoit the Butish is esJ And will Anglo-maniftclsm copy that also? Thero aro plenty of possibilities "to consider. It is usually conceded nowadajs that golf has a hold on male plajera. not kss absorb ing but lesj widespread than carliug. al though as jet. perhaps, no "Littlo Minister has beta shocked b tJie spe'taelo of a match boivveen two church members for a nant eldership. Au Oxford proresior. after a trial of tho game in which he' wan presumably badlj "bunkered in" and beaten, disagree ably donned golf a. "a game which consists in putting little bails, into httlo holes with in strument erv ill a mpted for the purpose." It is not surprising that even an r ru lite gen tleman snould bo hopo'esly bewildered at the outset bj the choee and ariet of clu given him. There are ten of them at lent notess.irj to offoetive piav. and thev are dis tinguished bj a nomenclature at once diver sified and significant. I romember plajing in i ladies game onto where it Titi mutu mora a contest between putting tho right names nnd u&es to tho different sticks than tho few strokes one conlJ u-,3. Brougit down to a Uno point the gamo of golf consists in this Tho player's object Is to put the ball in tho hols in fewer strokes than his or her opponent. Iho course contain, usu ally . n u-? holes, although eighteen hoies are as frequent in Scotland and England. Each of tho holes is ditant on an average, as at West ward Ho, 320 arils from tho next. Tho dis tance, of course, -varies with tho length of tho courso. and tho latter is determined bj tho available space, a mile and a half for nine holes being a good ordinarj- course. Tho pin,- would bo quiet enough if it wero plajed upon a lawn, but when ono remembers that it is plned over stretches of unbroken coan trj', in tho sandhills and bushes and bracken nnd stone pits not to mention a hundred other excrescences or chasms in which the ball is certain to drop, nnd that each timo jou touch the ball with a stick and you aro not allowed to touch it anj' other way counts a stroko against jou, no matter how long jou aro getting it out of the "horard" (the genono name grven to ull obstacles) It will be quito en?j to understand how much excitement and skill can bo put in tho game. A girls' match is gieat fun. Thoso who aro dilettanti, or embrjo golfer", often play on smooth bowling greons or long stretches of lawn, which plnjing is as much golf as a gentle trot in tho park is hunting. I played with n girl on tho Victoria links tho other daj. Wo were neither of us, as tho boy who carried our sticks observed casually, "dabs" at it. Wo woro fortunnto enough to have along with us some good sticks. I know their names and tho other girl knew thoir uses. Tho boj know both, and llko Mr. Morns' "caddie" mado highly objectionable re marks. His way of wnistling when we missed hitting tho balfat all. as wo did -very occasionally- of course, lest old golfers smite us with scorn, was a thing wo shall never forgive. Wo stsrted in to do somo pretty driving. Wo had been informed that "tho sensation of swooping tho bnll off tho too, neither topping it nor scraping tho ground, nnd of watching it cleao through the air until it drops be jond tho happy striker's ken. jet In tho exact direction of tho point aimed at. is a thing of art, and is so delightful that tho natural exul tation caused by missing a holo sinks into in signlflcanco." This mny bo so. But wo aro neither of us in a position to vonch for it. Tho boy placed tho ball for the girl sho is young Fergusson's siter, and heneo (in golf matters) of distinguished familj' and she got ready to drno. Thero "aro several things to think of. In deed, ono cnroful golfer, now in a lunatio asjlum, affirmed that there woretlnrty-sixbo-f oro ono begins this stroko. Tho girl had prac ticed it long before a pier glass, and mado many attempts at it on tho courso. Sho gripped with her left hand, kept her eye so stcndily on tho ball that sho saw spots on tfco sun for dajs afterward, made the maxim, "bit tho ball clean!" ring through her head until sho felt as if thcro was nothing oKo in it, and then let tho club swing casilj back ns far as it would go, Keeping hor arms 'extended at full length from hor body so far, no golfer could do better. What is disappointing is that the ball did not sail grncofully through tho nir to a distance of 200 yards, and wait thero on n nlco, pmooth, grassy 6lope until Bho camo up to it. She hit tho ground unfor As wl. tunately, and jumped tho ball off a few yards into a clump of bracken. "It's in a 'hazard' already," I remarked cheerfully. I regret to say that 3Iisd Fergus son got in a temper o or thnt simple remark. Sho lost three strokes getting her bnll out, partlj' becauso she forqot to change sticks, dnd partlj- bcenuse she was in a rage That i3 tho wor3t of golf. People are drl en to frenzy over it. I had mueh uetter luck .and son t the ball so mueh farther than I haJanv right to expect that the boy ceaed making himself objectionablo for fully five minutes. How ever, my next stroke landed mo 80 cffecttvcly SsSS-laJfe Vtv v.- i:. A 8TOE BCXEEB. In a "stono bunker" thnt I sat down and wept. Of eonrse, tho wretched Httlo sphero got itself wedged in between two rocks. I had to "lift." and lost, consequently, two strokes. Wo were both rather cross when it camo tho girl's turn for tho "approach ' shot; that is, to send her ball to within a fow feet of a hole. We could seo the littie fluttering flag which denotes a hole somo twenty yards away, and we both knew that the "lotting" stroke, that is plajed with the loiting iron or mashj , wn3 tho correct way of approaching. It is a most complicated affair; "tho ball, in stead of being in line with your left foot, will now bo in n lino with jour right lour left leg will bo ud'.aneed. and you will stand nenrlj- facing tho bali." Tue idea is to lift tho ball high in tho air, so that wnen it drop3 it will not shoot or bound along the ground. "I don't think I can do that distance with a lob ball," observed Miss Feruson, whose tennis nomenclature clings to her. critically eyeing th flag. The boy threw in a grac ous suggestion thnt the length of her back swing regulated the length of her throw. Alas' a feeble five jards resulted in carefully placing her ball in a patch of aand. 2satnraily she slashed and banged at the sand, got it into her eyes, and I won the hoie. et one, however, my glorj- paled. W e both got within a few feet of th hole, more by gajly bouuding our balls along and good Iuck in escaping hazards than bj play. 2s ow comes the shot called "putting," namely from a short oistance on the putiing-gren, which is a ma!l circular smooth lawn with a hole in the center, to pat the ball m the hole. It looks as easy as "tlddlowinks," but it is not. You an miss the hole with the greatest ease in life an ant-heap on the ground, or a shake in your arm. or a too hard or, a- I hit, a too gentle stroke. I so struct w ith my putter that I merely rolled my ball half way to the hole nnd in front of my opponent . Tne boy whistled, and the girl observed that it was only part of the general imb xniiiy of the game we were plaj lug. She spose emphatic ally. Her taek was now almost impossible. The stroke can be maJe by "lofting ' her ball over mii e, but it is rarely accomplished. It is called ''stimie lofting. ' Mr. .Morris has written that this "is tho only occasion oc which vou ought to o express yourself it a., in emphatic adjectives), thougu yon oan hardly piaj a ronnd without being tempted again and again into roit nt and unseemly language.' Naturally. Miss, k trgusaoa missed tho hole, bo did I. I do nt core to mention how o'ten we mUsed holes that day. 'or do I care to recall the gites of tnat whistling boj. The girl got some good drives in, one, especially, having a beautiful swing. And I shall alwaj- remember with dep and. I trut, humble gratiacation that 1 won the match by the last .-hot at tne last note. But with even more delight do I remember the drive I made when te boy was carrying st'eks for Mi33Fergsson.as a result of which the ball hit the boy gleefully and quite hurt fuhj ou the leg. A word as to the joys of golf for girls. There is alw.iv the open air and sunshine and an adJed breeziacss over tennis and town games since thcro I aye to be stretches of country ft r the linki(. Our links are near to the seashore, and we gt t its life-giving breath in our faces and STiell the pungency of the banks whereon the wild thyme blows. Tnero is a largeness and freshness and wild ness about a golf course which goes to the heart of town-bred plaiers. It fa not too violent an evcrcise. Tlu re is no running, no grdat need or mnscunr devloi ment.sineo not strength but skill and practice is re quired, no strain, unless that of keeping tho temper, and golf players have a srveial dis pensation. It is unquetiv-nablj' healthy. Tho long walk in the eruntry air. relieved from monotony by nrious excitements, the oxorei-e with tho club the long dnve swing being partieular relaxing the joys of the sport iteir. the training of eye and judg mentall those are direct results for good. The gamo is not an exp-n-ie one The clubs are to be bought in a good outfit for $10, and one can enjoy one 3 self almost as mueh witn a couple of dollars' worth. Ono If one .s of the ex that wears skirts mnt wear short ones and have a loose enough waist on to be ablo to swing one 5 arms about. Scarlet is, of course, the well known gob color, aud if that boy had worn scarlet I should have had no excuse. So does a irtuous ga-ne beget mu'fcmtv ! Examine Into the cuaracter of tho ooy w hom you take to carry jour sticks, girls, and if there was anj-teiidencj-to fmontyon the part of his great-grandmother, don t take him. So shall golf be more peaceable. So be it. Madgs Robebtson. -o- The Cholera Germ Again. Tho reported discovery of the plaguo bacil lus by Profs Eitsalto and Aoyama. of Tokio Univorsity, who went to Hong Kong to study tho epidemic, has attracted so much interest that it may be well to note somo particulars wiueh havo just reached this country. The fatal microbe i' described as having the form of a verj' slender, straight filament of short length. It appears m the blood on and aftor the second day of the outbreak of the disease, and may possiblv be it ought, at all events, to be idontical with the plague baeillns imperfectly described during tho Astrachnn epiuemic a few j ears ago. Animals inoculated with it invariably show choleric sjmptom3 or die within two days. As there is no alternative but that either tho patient or tho bacilli must be killed, the Japanese physicians nro investigating tho question of how best to scotch tho virulence of the plaguo germ, nnd aro in hopes that before long thoir researches will be crowned with success. Meantime, tho plaguo being epidemic in Yunnan, and having established several fresh centers, thovdo not believe that the insanitary hnoits of the Chinese will ever admit of its being exterminated from an ompire which it has scourged again and again. London Chronicle. Sure! Efllo Do jou think my papa will goto heaven, Mls3 Hart? Sunday-school teacher Oh, yos. indeed, Efilc. Efflo Well, if ho doesn't havo his own way there ho won't stay long. Judge. tv- AN ULUCkY rELLOW". I'm tho most unlucky follow that a mortal ever knoweu. I never wanted sunJdno but it up an' rained or suovv ed; An' of a band of music was a playin' full an' free. The horns ud stop tharo tootin' long aforo they tot to me! A 'Ioction novor happened but what I's alvray3 Into, An had to do my tradin' with a stingy candi date While other loafln' follows got their dollar to my dime. For tar win in a ballot not one nit better'n mine! I novor wont a-fishin' yet and got a single bite. Although 1'vo watched a noddin pole from early morn till nito; An' I'm Just so blamed unlucky I bcllovo that heaven's gato Would mish mo as I entered nnlucky to be late. Atlanta Constitution. trzm Maflame lode and Her Fes Written Exclusively forTnz WAsihsgtok Tnsa. Of all tho winter things fashioned for her comfort nnd adorning, nothing is mora dear to the feminine heart than the new furs. "Furs softer than sleep," a3 Theoentua pnt3 it, she know3 to be more than friendly to either blonde or brunette types. And besides and strongest of every other recommendation to women essentially tha cosy muiHings of luxnry and elegance, they are endowed with an almost sentimental value in tho charm of distant and difficult blessing3. This touching appreciation Is especially evident whero tho raro furs ore concerned,, the priceless Bussian sables with thelrvelvety linings, the snowy ermines, bine fox, and feather-like chinchillas; all of which ara worth mora even than thoir weight In gold, one feels inclined to think, and are as beauti ful 03 things dreamed of In dreams. Crowned heads or fabulous wealth alone may own them, but since even a cat may look at a king a visit may bo made on reverent toes to their hiding places. First and foremost, In tho great plate gla33 show case, guardod by n polar bear and a black panther, yoa will observe a splendid street and carriage mantle of Bussian sable. It has a high collar that mounts far beyond the ears, and it is made to bang full, though, not too full, and in length it just touenes the knees. Around tho neck, and hanging in long scarf points in front scarf ends so soft and pliable that they might be knotted into a huge bow as easily aa ailk 13 a deep, slightly full lower collar of the saWo. Tha lining of thi3, E3 well as of tho entire gar ment, is of baby ermine. A discreetly subtle hint ot violets dis tinguishes it besides; each one of those poor baby ermine having been lured in such a way as to rob It of any disagreeable animal sug gestion and make" it a flower instead. To conclude, the price of this very stylish cape and now, ladies, as the polite showman said at the initial performance, please don t be frightened the price of this royal mantle is only $7,500! fits rccrsos. In the ease next this empress of cap3 there Is a dainty French exile that to many tastes will call for even mote admiration. It is a long, double cape of ermine, full and high eollared, and lined with an exquisite figured moire, in colors hours des pois. These pea blossom moires, by the way, seem to be ex clusively used for ermine linings. Delight fully delicate in tone, they reproduce nil tho tints of the natural flower, and have some times a large outlined etover leal against a changeable background, or may again show with this only the silvery moire ware. Another charming lining for evening- fnrs, and especially ermine, is Marie Antoinette brocade, which is patterned in the dainty tied wreaths and garlands ef the Watteau period. But to retu-n to the French exile at whose adorable feet there rests something that at first glance looks like a good-sized grayish dorf. It is indeed next door to one. being in fact a blue fox or perhaps half a dozen biua foxes, the roll fa so big fashioned into a muff. But no mufX traditions here, if yon please. It is entirely without stiffening, no more than a huge fur bag with an enchanting Marie An toinette lining, and, when under caressing fingers, it stretches itself out like a slink and grateful pussy cat, it is just twenty-five inches long! It is only a fad, however, one of Madame Mode's eccentrie pleasantries. IXZXPBSrVE FCH3. And now away to that part of New York, whero furs are within the bounds of common mortal possioilitios, are astonishingly reas onable indeed, and not bad furs, either. Here we discover, if only through their ranty, that ermine and chinchilla are to be simpler novelties in the world of fashion. The more wearable Persian lamb and Alaska sable take their place for eapes, and for coats both Persian and seal are much used. As to the shape of jackets, tee doublo brtfajled front with flat Prince Albert skirt back, which lies In two heavy in-tnrnlng pleats, seems to be the favorite model. Many have the full frilly back ot lost sea son, however, and in length they are all tho way from thirty to tnirty-eight inches. In this wandering about one get3 valuable hints as to ombinations. We find short seal capes, frilled like skirts, and narrowly bor dered with pale yellow, hairy fur. that seems to be making its debut as a trimming. At an unpretentious furriers we get Idea as to the possibilities of any scrap of good furi and are shown a marvelous Persian eape that hangs from smooth shoulders in a full flounce to the waist and tnat began its career five years ago as a mere acorn. Then it was a tiny 9houlder capo, but win ter by winter the little furrier has pieced it out for his customer until now it fa the fash ionable achievement described. One comes across bargains, too. in this pok ing around; and ehief among them maybe noticed a full rare of wool seal, that comes just below the waist, and baa a high collar and border edge of black marten. Wool seal has a eoarse, hairy surface, and is not "elegant," we are told, bot nevei&C less it makes a very effective garment. Xts.e FrrcH. Dldn't Expect Anything Different. "Was tho prizo that Charlie got at coUegq for brain or brawn?' "Brain, Itatak," "Well, Charlie alway3 T73 eccratrfo." , Judge. V4 W Hi