Lippincott's Magazine, December, 1885

-class college and not a single girl. I would have the island fortified, and death by slow torture infl

mate, Mr. Fielding. "You must admit that, if one must have either, the s

ut a note-book and glared at its contents-"an engagement to take two to a concert this evening, other two

nted Fielding. "Either that, or you're yarning tremendo

rily. "That Glover girl is probably cooli

long since one of those G

bank, green with the first soft grass of spring, was deserted. Had she come and gone? He arranged him

ho-ye-ho, who's

went on, until, as he came to the second, he was singing very audibly indeed, and Rosamond,

er bonnet, and, o

nk flower that g

ke a rose and her

u're welcome to

room-mate as he vainly struggled to think of something to say which should not be utterly inane. He felt himself blushing, but he was well aware that a blush on hi

hat I should probably find an old man here who w

's gone to dinner," stammered this

that between four and five in the afternoo

h disappointed, and

ly explaining to an outraged conscience that this was literally true, for was not his boat tied to a s

ho grow o

ned in th

allowed the ferryman to help her to the broad cushioned seat in the stern of the boat, asked innocently, "How much is it-for both ways, I me

ed, as she fished a very small pur

r one way would have an air of improbability ab

he withdrew them with a promptness and a look of horror upon

said faintly. "I forgot to put any money in

in business-like tones, "You can make it all right the next time

small affairs with any one but himself, she changed the end of her sentence into "I have to. But I will bring you the money to-morrow afternoon, if you will be

; "and I don't trust everybody. I

hile his vigorous strokes sent the little boat swiftly across the river, when he beac

e house across the first street; a

ed away. "I've nothing more to do t

or the moment the "oth

e the fifteen minutes of her absence seem as fi

sweet!'" mentally ej

And if you, or the old man, will be here to-morrow at half-past four, I should like

answered dreamily; "and I'll be here at half-pa

ranged for her greater comfort, adding, "What a very nice boat you have! I don't see how you keep it so neat

me I mean, of course?"-for the horrible idea occurred to him that she might think he was anxious about his fare. "I have

mond; but it seems to me that's rather long for a boat. Suppose you call her the Rose. Papa-my

wish, of course. I will have 'Rose' painted on the stern, and I can call her Rosamond to m

e unfastened one of the two at h

some surprise, was of the finest Russia leather. Ferrying must be pro

were singing as I came down the bank. Would you min

, softly at first,and then with passionate fervor, and th

the boat grazed the bank at one and the same moment. "What a good voice yo

d drawing it up on the bank. She rose to follow him,

ave landed!" she exclaimed. "It's a

very muc

logies, but I was singing, and I suppose I passed the landing without noti

u were rowing," she said remorsefully. "I'm s

d, trying to speak coolly, "if

ark, and that will be time enough. I shoul

e wisely suppressed them, bending to his oars

-traced sickle of the new moon to show, as the boat

or. "Oh, how nice of you to come and meet me!" she cried, slipping her hand through his arm. "It

inking to find you returned, and then, when she said you were still absent, I hurried down here, feeling u

ving it a little squeeze. The spring dusk had fallen around them like a veil

oolish sort of way in a pretty little boat tied to a stake, said he was there in the old boatman's place, and asked me to go with him; and I went. At first I was puzzled, for he looked like a gentleman in most respects, and I didn't think he could be the son of the old man you told me about; but the longer I was with him the more I saw that there was something queer

ing what form his insanity will take: he might have imagined you to be inimical to him, and have thrown you

there's no danger. The only really queer thing he did was to carry me a mile down the river; and that was my fault, for I asked him to sing again. He has a delightful voice, and he sang that song you like so much,-'O

would have received a dignified rebuke for "hyperbolical and inelegant language;" but it never occurred to

ever slight, my Rose," said the professor, so gently

engaged-and-and-married people always ought to do that. I forgot to take any money, and it was ten cents there and back, you know; and he was so kind and polite about trusting me. I wanted him to

ith this unfortunate young man while you are engaged with your dress-maker, and perhaps his condition may be ameliorated. He could surely engage in some more

een in the gathering darkness. "You're sure you've made up your mind not to be disapp

r need not be recorde

at them, and does a variety of similar things, admitted, but not accounted for, fails to warn the victims of approaching fate. Serenely, blissfully, did Mr. Symington wend his way to the bank on that golden afternoon. It had occurred to him to exch

d not

r bonnet, and, oh,

waiting long. He heard voices approaching, then a clear, soft laugh, and she was there; but-oh, retribution!-with her, supporting her on his arm, was Professor Silex! Wild thoughts of leaping into the river and swimming-under water-to the opposite bank passed through the brain of this victim of his own duplicity; but he checked hi

inexorably down the bank; "but I see a member of my class-an unusually prom

rom one to the other, finally ejac

said the professor, unaware

last words. He sprang from the boat and up the bank with the expression of a whole forlorn

or bowed gravely), "was looking yesterday for the old man who acts as ferryman here sometimes. He was absent, and, seeing that

s estimate of the amateur boatman. He waved his hand graciously; but, before he could speak, Rosamond indignantly exclaimed, "But you told me it was ten

May. My boat was, literally speaking, in the place of that which the old man actually keeps here: I knew it must be, because there was only one stake. I have been cheated, frequently and egregiously: few men of my age, I

she began, with some

mpossible should he disclose his real name and position. It seems that he merely allowed your inferences to go uncontradicted, and was, practically, most kind. An introduction between you is now s

d the culprit eagerly, gla

y says," replied the pro

ton her hand, saying penitently, "I was very rude just now, and unjus

nswered eagerly. "And you will let me row you acr

anced at th

be glad of the opportunity for a little conversatio

id to Rosamond, as they walked home through the twilight, having been persuaded to extend the row a little, "I am glad, dear, that this opportunity of presenting young Symington to you without apparent favor

ibly," said Rosamond, laughing; "but I li

uaded Rosamond to continue her patronage of his boat. Sometimes the professor went, sometimes he did not. Mr. Syming

All through the winter she had discussed their journey with the liveliest interest, sometimes making and rejecting a dozen plans in one evening. But of late she had ceased to

d remorse. At such times she hovered about him, eagerly anxious to render him some of the small services which he found so sweet. But she was p

, an unreasoning gladness took possession of her. She danced down the path of the long garden behind the seminary and danced back again, stopping to pick a handful of the first June roses. It was early morning, and the professor s

a threatening finger at him. "Do you know what it means,-a rosebud? I don't believe yo

l not be long. I stopped to tell you that I cannot go with you this afternoon; but you must not dis

g me first," she said sharply. "I don't w

ind eyes were fixed pityingly

gently, as if she had been a little child and he a patient, loving fathe

ruly wish me to go w

e could not speak, but in reality the pau

y do. It would not be fair to disappoint M

ibly go, dear?" she

h set in motion a guillotine that took off his own head.

some work which I ough

as she spoke. "And I wish you'd stop behaving as if I were your daughter. I don't know what ails you this

n. Then he smiled, and said gently, "I should not like it at all, as you know very well. But I must go now, or I shall be

kiss upon his mouth, she added, "There! that is a sealing, a fresh sealing, of our

ill with a smile, "But I thought the wedding-gown was still to make? Good-

for that afternoon was to explore a little island far

e went slowly down the bank th

e, only the sunbrown on his face concealed t

urriedly, "so he made me come without him;

t hesitate to say so," he replied stiffly, and pausing-wit

the seats to the cushioned end of the boat. "Of course we will go; but perhaps-would you min

ed tone; and, without another word, he helped her

ong that she felt she c

desperately, "You know you sang that first day; and

did not sing "Twickenham Ferry" to day. He would have given all he was worth, when he had sung one line, if he

bear to l

ng kiss I

whate'er b

e Honor c

he to know that she was not watching with breathless interest the young couple

hen the last trembling note had

it," he said, with qu

to talk almost at random, telling of various laughable things which had occurred among

"It is really refreshing to see you in such good spirits. I had always understood that ev

me in that way,-in that tone,

that I have no rights of any kind so far as you are conce

she said forlornly; "and I

" he cried. "Oh, R

glad; but I must go-the professor-" And she