"Coming, Dorrie!" he called out, as the girl made a movement to
step over the low sill into the room; "no, there is nothing the
matter--I came to ask Miss Minturn for the Flower Carnival
picture, to have it copied for you."
"How nice of you, Uncle Phillip! You are always so thoughtful for
me!" said unsuspicious Dorothy.
The man's laugh rang out full and clear, but with a note of
genuine mirth in it that made Katherine's cheeks tingle afresh,
for it told her that his main object in seeking her had not been
to get the picture.
"Oh! if that child would but vanish!" he thought, with an adoring
look at the pretty, drooping figure in its dainty robe of pale
yellow; but little Miss Marplot evidently had no such intention,
and he reluctantly turned away to save Katherine further
embarrassment.
"Good-by, Miss-Katherine; we will be with you again this
afternoon," he said, with a thrill in his voice as it lingered
over the name; then he stepped through the low window, slipped his
arm around unconscious Dorrie and led her away to the carriage.
The reunion of the afternoon was a most delightful occasion. Mr.
Minturn had chartered a yacht to take the whole party out for a
few hours' sail, and, the day being perfect, the sea in its bluest
attire and quietest mood, there was nothing to mar their
enjoyment, and the experience proved ideal for everyone.
They returned just at sunset, to find numerous daintily laid
tables awaiting them on one of the broad verandas and groaning
beneath an abundance of the many luxuries that had been provided
to tempt and regale; while spotlessly attired maids and white-
jacketed men were in attendance to serve the hungry excursionists.
As twilight dropped down o'er land and sea, as the numerous
lanterns were lighted and flung their soft radiance and vivid
spots of color upon the scene, while a fine orchestra discoursed
melodiously from some green-embowered nook, the place seemed like
an enchanted realm where one might almost expect to discern,
flitting among the playful shadows, those weird forms that people
the elf land of childhood's fancy--
"Fairies, black, gray, green and white,
Those moonshine revelers and shades of night."
And thus the evening was spent in a delightfully informal manner,
each and all appearing to feel as if they were members of one
happy family, as, indeed, they were, in Truth and Love.
But the final farewells had to be said at length, for railway
time-tables are absolute, and the last train for Boston would
leave at ten o'clock.
At half-past nine the carriages were at the door and fifteen
minutes later all were gone, excepting the Seabrooks, who lingered
for a few last words with the family, and to take leave of Miss
Reynolds, who would go home on the morrow.
They were all standing together in the brilliantly lighted
reception hall, Dorothy with one arm linked within her father's,
the other encircling Katherine's waist.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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