Part 20 (2/2)

”We are to have a drive along the beach,” Lily went on to say, ”returning just as the moon rises. I wish we were to have a larger party, but it was not spoken of until yesterday. It will be delightful I know! Already I feel the uprising of that childhood's memory when I used to steal away to look at the moon as it lay on the water and wished I could go where it was.”

It was a delightful evening as the little party started for their pleasant ride with the scent of far-off flowers coming to them on the soft wings of the southern breeze and the music of the great ocean in their ears. Into this the bright day-king was about to take his nightly plunge from behind the royal colors of purple and gold.

”What a little enthusiast you are about the ocean!” remarked Mrs.

Belmont in response to some exclamation of admiration. ”Perhaps you would like to take another such a ride upon it as you told me of?”

”I do not think I should be more afraid now than I then was if I were on those rose-colored waves yonder rocking and rolling as they are doing. I believe I should still imagine that the voice of my mother was mingled with their song lulling me to sleep!” Lily did not notice the agitation of her companion or perceive that her lips were of an ashy hue and her cheeks sunken and pale, so much engrossed was she in the excitement of the scene about her.

”Turn to the right here,” commanded Mrs. Belmont.

”Lor! Lor, Missus! _Dat_ road?”

”Turn to the right and keep silent!” she repeated.

”This _does_ seem like an unfrequented path leading into the woods,”

remarked Lily without any seeming agitation.

”Yes, dear; I am going to take you around a little then come down abruptly to the beach. I have been here and understand the way perfectly.”

”Have we come a long way?”

”Only a few miles.” Both were again silent.

”How soon it gets dark after the sun goes down,” said Lily a few moments after. ”May we not better think of returning?”

”Presently. There, take to the left now, it will bring us around to the beach.”

Sam made no objection to the command this time, but his shoulders evinced unmistakable signs of inward dissatisfaction as he turned the horses into the road which was narrow and half overgrown with gra.s.s.

Soon they came to a thickly-wooded elevation, when Mrs. Belmont commanded that they should halt! ”We must turn to the left again here in order to gain the main road; but I want to show you, dear, more of the ocean than you ever saw before at one view. We will walk a little way--to the opening yonder, while you will remain here with the carriage, Sam, until we return.”

”It's _drefful_ dark, Missus! Sam don't like it nohow!”

”I am very much of Sam's opinion,” remarked Lily who had alighted. ”The moon will be up in a few moments; besides, it is these trees that make it so dark here!” Once more on firm footing the fearlessness and buoyancy of her nature returned to her, and the young girl darted away toward the spot designated with a light and rapid step.

”Do not leave me to grope my way alone,” called Mrs. Belmont.

”I beg your pardon and will stand here and wait for you,” came the reply. ”I have not gained the light yet, but it is a little way ahead; come!” She waited for a moment as she had said, and hearing a step on the right called out: ”This way Mrs. Belmont; where are you?”

At this moment a pair of strong arms were thrown about her and a voice hissed in her ear: ”Don't ye bawl, and ye shan't be hurt! I'se got a strong grip and so ye'd better be quiet!” She gave one shriek, and then finding he had bound her hands while speaking shouted again the name of ”Mrs. Belmont!” Quick as thought a bandage was thrust over her mouth which almost suffocated her. ”Thar, thar--I reckon yese'll be quiet now!” and taking her in his powerful grasp bore her rapidly away.

”Sam! Sam!” screamed Mrs. Belmont; ”come quickly! Do you not hear the dear child calling? Something has happened! Run and find her!” She was close to the carriage and there was no need of calling so loudly; but the poor, frightened negro did not move.

”_Why do you not run?_”

”O Lor, Lor, Missus! Dis n.i.g.g.e.r can't do nothin'! I'se mighty 'fraid, Missus! Can't go nohow!”

Mrs. Belmont wrung her hands in the very abandonment of grief! ”Poor, poor girl!” Then darting into the woods she called with a loud voice: ”Lily! Lily!” But the roaring of the waves not far away was her only answer. After many exclamations of sorrow and outbursts of grief; after much calling and many remonstrances with the poor frightened negro for his good-for-nothingness on _all_ occasions, and this trying one in particular, Mrs. Belmont reseated herself in the carriage and commanded that Sam should drive as rapidly as possible to the city.

”Dat I will, Missus; but what ye do wid di young lady?”

”Drive to the city as I command you!” was the emphatic answer.

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