Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-08-31

palreu 10 the ueck. The captain
looked after her with scarcely per-
ceptible frown, bit his lip, gave a
slight shrug of the shoulders, and
applied himself once more to his
wine. a.f9
When he went upon deck, the
young lady stood by the life-boat
alone, her folded hands resting on the
gunwale, and her blue eyes gazing
down lntently ON the water. How
often since that evening have l re-
called her face and form as she stood
there, thinking-ah! what soas she
thinking of as she watched those cold.
dark waves?
The captain (for though a passen-
ger on this vessel, this was his proper
"o onir on hie nun WALKED IN an1 dou-n
the deck few times with me, then
begged to be excused, in order that
he might indulge in a cigar. A band
of German emigrants on the main
deck began to sing most sweetly and
sadly, some songs of the Rhine and
their fatherland, and most of the cab
in passengers went forward to hear
them. The young lady alone remain
ed in her place; and with music,
and moonlight, the evening came
gently On.
When the bell rang for tea, | saw
that the captain was standing only a
little way from her. l passed them
to obey the summons, and as l did so,
| heard her murmur in a pleading
tone:
"James, for the love of Heaven, do
not treat me so. You know how
| love you! How can you be so
cruel p
"Why did you follow me ?" he re-
piled, in tones of extreme annoyance.
"Why could you not have stayed in
the home | gave yOu-"
"While you were absent for months
and years-caring nothing, thinking
nothing of me? l could not do it,
James, angry as you are with me for
coming here"
Cursed follyr' he muttered, be-
tween his teeth"
"Oh, James to follow you-to
give up my whole life-perhaps my
very soul-for your sakeT'
"Yes-it is folly, Emily. What on
earth am | to do with you on board
this ship, or in New York. who
pass with all who know me a single
man? If you had only remained in
England all would have been well
but now, by your following me, you
have put me into such position that
am at loss what to do.
"No one shall know what you are
to me" she replied sadly. 81 have
kept the secret faithfully so long-I
have broken my poor mothers heart,
and almost my own, to screen you, as
you know. But, oh! James, will you
never own me? never cease to be
ashamed to say that you love me-"
She laid her hand upon his arm as
she spoke. He shook it off almost
savagely.
"Have you no sense Emily? If any
passenger sees you-by Heavens
there IS one now-the lady who
watched you so closely at dinner
Don't speak to me again till we get
to New York, and then | will see
what can be done to remedy the
trouble your stupid folly has brought
) upon me"
Without another word he turned
: and lett her. She looked after him
as he decended the cabin stairs, with
: such a fixed, yearning, pitiful gaze
t that my heart ached for her; but she
took no notice of me, and after a mo
? ment | followed him.
s Among our passengers was one o
t whom | had heretofore taken very lit
tie notice-a gay young widow from
: the Sister Isle, whose merry laugl
f and rattling tongue gave fiat con
: tradiction to the mourning g r
J. which she still wore. Her hair anC
I, eyes were black as jet; she had {
It round, pleasant face, small mouth, 8
k jOvial smile, and neat, trim httl
e figure, set by the closest of corsets
S and the jauntiest of weeds. By SOM
n strange fatality, her bright, careles
e face attracted the captain, who wa
+ probably sick to death of himself ant
d the unspoken mystery in which h
<, was enveloped; and when | reache'
s, the table, he was busily engaged il
helping the widow make the tea, an
)" handing cups here and there with til
le greatest alacrity, to the manifest al
in noyance and disgust of the stewards
ut who did not exactly relish having t
stand against the wall, like SO man
10 automatons, with nothing to do.
ID Presently the young lady entere'
I'd and took seat near me. She a
&c cepted cup of tea from my han
10 with gracious bow, and a swe'
I'd smile; but she ate nothing, an
ID watched the laughing couple at tt
C, head of the table with eyes of paine
b. wonder and surprise. By and by 81
er, glided noiselcssly away, and when v
i'd went up again to enjoy a moonligl
n. stroll on deck, she was in her old pla'
ut and never turned her head when
he took my stand within speaking di
er, tance of her.
of The captain was walking slowly !
en- and down, but this time he seemed
think little of his evening cigar, f
I'm the widow was hanging almost fond
he on his arm, and looking up into h
Of face, as she talked, with those glanc
ne which widows have known so well he
ith to give, from the days since Mrs. Wa
My men tried the power of her beautil
nd dark gray eyes on amy Uncle Toby
ed To the nresent time,