A Silver Brand — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A SILVER BRAND, 48 “Yes. I have a little business with the hermit taxi- dermist there. He is waiting for me, I suppose.” And he looked longingly toward the fair boatman. The prow was turned promptly, and she said, in quiet dignity for all the frank kindliness of her manner: | “Tam going to the island myself. There is no reason why I should not give you a seat in my boat, for Mr. Nathaniel is a kind friend of mine also.” | , .the gentleman came bounding into the boat with alac- rity. Serena saw now that he was young and handsome. “And you will give me the oars,” he said, gallantly. “I am sure I cannot allow you to row me that long distance.” She looked at him a mowgent doubtfully, but ended by vacating her seat and yielding up the oars. | When she saw the shapely white hands bend them- selves to their task she gave a little sigh of relief. He was no novice as she had feared. Beneath his even, powerful strokes the little craft bounded forward like a thing alive. She smiled, leaned back in her seat, and slowly removed the thick gloves from her hands. He caught the expression of her face, and gave a little, mellow laugh. . “You thought Ishould have to come back to your guid- ance. Well, are you satisfied that I am able to manage your boat?” “Yes,” returned Serena; “I discovered that you are one _ of the fraternity, Itis easy enough to recognize the true’ lovers of the water. I dare say you will find those oars too light. They were made for me, you know. Iam not sure but the sail might be set, and spare you the labor, though we could not make so straight a course.” ‘‘[am in no hurry myself,” said the young gentleman, with another of those bright, sunny flashes across his face as he smiled. “I have a mind to try the sail if you don’t object. Itisalovely evening. See what silver veins the waves are gathering. And the air is balmy sweetness, as if wafted from fair Araby itself. It is a sin, indeed, to make haste in such a fairy experience.” . Serena’s clear cheek had taken a tinge of color. “Nay, but when I come to remember I am in haste my- self,” she said. | : “That alters the case, although I can but regret 1t. To-night this moonlight almost beautifies yonder dreary island.” “Dreary,” repéated Serena, in surprise. “I neyer oH | ; ‘cComicboo cS (ele)