Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-19
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Or, the Accidental Interview.
A MATRIMONIAL TALE.


alton steamed out Of the harbor at Holyhead
Dark clouds were gathering overhead, the
short chopping waves slspf ed the sides Of the
vessel impstiently, and the thick black smoke
shot straight from the funnel to the receding
shore, as if anxious to escape from the restless
turbulence of the water, and form a sooty can
opy ever dry land.
There were but few passengers on board. and
drizzling rain sent them below. One gentle
man alone stood his ground upon the quarter
deck, and, comfortably encased in a suit of oil
skin, puffed his cigar in defiance of the wealth
er. He was a tall fair-haired man. with q
bright eye, thin, high -bridged nose, and light
wsvy moustnohes, through which was seen
good humored but sarcastic mouth. He ac-
commOdated himself to the motion of the YES
sci like an experienced traveller, and, with
well-glOved hands deep in his capacious pock
cts, looked on the steersman, the funnel, the
lights upon the distant pier, and the vibration
beneath him and about him, with an easy and
comfortable nonchalance of manner that seemed
peculiar to him.
Upon obsequious and curly headed stew
ard-who kept coming on deck and then diving
down into the cabin upon those purposeless
errands which would appear to be the cOntin-
ual employment Of those functionaries when on
duty-passing near the traveller, he said !:
"HaTe you cone to tell me that 1 mustn't
smoker"
mo, SIR" said the steward, with the usual
choose sir: there's nobody on deck but you"
every few passengers tonight" remarked
the gentleman.
ayes, sir, very few, SIR" replied the stew
ard; you're the only cabin passenger aboard. >"
';Am ?" said the gentleman. "Tl sa I
suppose 1 shall have my choice of berthsf'
"Wnichever you please, sir, when you come
below. We've only one other passenger, and
she's lady"
"Ah"' said the gentleman, looking down
the sky-lighs, rs if to see if his owtraveler
were in the cabin. "I'm afraid we shall
have rough passage"
"Yes, sir" answered the acquiescent stew
ard it does look very dirty to wind ard,
sir - and he dived down again.
The traveller lighted a fresh cigar, tossed
away bis old one, looked at the white foam in
he vessels wake, and resumed his march.
He was naturally gregarious, csmpanionable
sort Of q fellow, fond Of society, argument, the
shock Of opinions, and collision of ideas. He
had hoped to meet some other well-trsveled
man, with whom he could have smoked and
chattsd. He felt that he should bore himself
alone, and began to think about the lady who
was his sole companion in the boat.
II wish I knew her." thought he; eve
could converse some hours away. Twenty
years ago I should have considered this quite
an adventure. What fools men are in their
Galsd days, I should have thought that it was
5ate that had thrown US together, because We
married, or old, or disagreeable. / shall be
horribly bored till we reach Kingstown."
After half an hours more walking, he looked
down the sky-light once again, and saw lady
seated in the cabin taking tea.
"Shs doesn't suffer, at all eYents,' he
thought TO himself; II may as we'll have a
look AZ her, and he finished his cigar, and
descended the brass bound steps leading to the
"e1ddy."
The lady about whom he felt so interested,
was over thirty years Of age, and despite
pailid complexion, languid, mOurnful eyes.
possessed great beauty. Her manners were
elegant and refined and a tinge of exhaustion
in her face and voice, heightened the sense Of
subdued sentiment that hung around her.
Oyerwrought senSibility and sensitive nervous
organization were written in the constant play
Of her short, thin upper lip; and the perfect
taste Of her dress completed the charm Of a
very fascinating invalid.
When the gentleman entered the cabin. she
vas seated at the table, waited on by n bust
Gng and active stewardess. He took of his
cap, as it were, at her, and disembarrassed
himself of his oii-Skin covering. He coughed,
in token Of his presence but she took no notice,
but continued playing with her teaspoon, all
unconscious Of his entrance.
With glance at the mirror, that betrayed a
knowledge of the possession of q good appear
anoe, and the smoothing of q well tied cravat,
the gentleman advanced towards the ble, and
cOughed again. The vessel gave a slight lurch,
and the tes-seryice clattered at the same time.
The lady looked up, saw the newcomer, and
bowed slightly.
IL fear wo are going to have a rough pas
sage" began the male traveller, when the lady
shrieked, and would have fallen, had not the
stewardoss ran forward to support her The
gentleman turned pale and red, and pale
sgain, and trembIed in every limb.
bring some water" he said, after q mo-
nent's panse. "Don't be alarmed; it's the
L. kAn Lat ~
He Eetted his handkerchief, and laiG 1t on her
forehead, while the stevsrdess ran FOR her
smelling bottle. By the aid of their united ex-
ertions, in about five minutes the lady recov-
cred, and looked about her as il just aroused
from an unpleasant dream.
Better leave US =" said the gentleman.
"Do-do you know the lady, sir?" ssked the
stewardess, hardly knowing what TO do.
"Know her? Yes"
"Yru'rs only got to call, mum, 1 shall be
close to, +" said the stewardess. Can do any,
thing more, num-"
"So-no, thank you," said the lady; "I'm
quite we'll now. TOu-you need not trouble
yourself further"
The stewsrdsss quilted the cabin, leaving
the two passengers staring at each other in
mute wonder.
GOOD God, Maria, is it your" said the gen.
tieman.
1t seems almost impossible II can be you,'
answered the lady. in low faltering tones.
care you-better now?" inquired the gen.
tleman Can get anything for you :"
Nothing, thank you-if il be really you"
'It seems like q dream continued the gen.
fiemsn-" TO think that, after ten years, we
should meet on board this boat 1t is the
most unexpected accident" "N
Accident" repeated the lady, with an in
curing look.
Accident? Yes; really accident"
Are you sure you did not know that was
an h0ar I'd fbiz1-
"How could II" interrupted the gentleman.
81 only landed at Southampton last week. Not
q soul knew was in London; 90 took run
over to Dublin TO visit Yincey Mcguire. It's
the m-st impossible adventure, to think Of man
E Are you going, Maris 2" -
The lady had risen from her seat. +" see no
resson for my remsiniDg," she said, quietly
of you csnnot bear TO bresthe the same at
nosphere with me, I will retire, said the hus-
band. q will not turn you out OF the cabin
Ill go on deck ="
The lady looked up to the sky light above
her IN ~hieh ha al nat eri I'm riausly.