Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-18

/ u1c ubSttu6u' lof tuo COucius was ouOfuC'
with punches ofHowers and pink ribbons
in a way that betrayed all too plainly th
state of Franks feelings. There wa
some lingering and chatting here, ana
then We went up stairs without looking
stthe other cabins; but just as Franz
reached the top, he turned back to me.
{, There's your berth, old fellow yoI
viii have to pack close, you see, and b,
pointed to door close to the foot of th,
steps.
peeped in; saw that it was about th'
size of a small cab, and ran up. fas
Itwas q delicious day, as every on
said, and Frank was wild with spirits
laughing with his pretty cousins, clappine
me on the back, and venturing even on I
Joke with old Mr.. Stanhope-a bold
measure. as / though at first, till found
that the good gentleman softened greatly
under the modifying influence Of chick
ems and champagne, and grew at lastquitc
garrulous. 1t was not exciting to lister
to his long-winded history of justice
business. and the aggressions of newly
made railway on his property and there
was something monotonous in Miss Helen
Stanhope's often repeated How pretty
how moe s. Yet all these would not
have disturbed my contentment if | could
but have got beyond the range of those
mocking eyes Of Laura's; but that was
hopeless. All that liTelong afternoon
her tongue Was busy in railing at my
words, my looks, my very silence.
"What shame" reclaimed Frank,
lsughingly, after somSsPeech of hers.
But never mind, Charlie, boy her
bark is worse than her bite"
"Ah." she answered, " his sobsrness
is past belief. But [ don't despair, FOR
the craft of woman is great, snd shall
know no peace till | have shaken that
unruffled front"
We had fair wind, and we danced
alaug, keeping CLOSE into the shore, past
sunny ShanHifn and gloomy Blackgang,
and saw the August sun dipping into the
sea just as We sighted the Needles.
There was luil for me now Laura
sat quietly By Franks side, talking in a
low undertonc very unlike that had yet
heard from her; and l leant over the
gunEale of the little vessel, Watching her
cleaye the silvery waves, and revelling
in the beauty and the stiffness all around.
Still was not of NY guard. | Suppose
there was certain amount of doggedDess
in my nature, despite my shyness, and |
had resolved that she should not have
her triumph at my expense. hardly
knew whether [ liked or disliked her
I only felt that there was something of
contempt in her bantering tone, and that
it stung me. If | could foil her purpose,
she might think less meanly of me; 80,
while nv owes wandered seaward, my
cars were on the alert. Presently she
rose, whispered a word to Frank, and dis
appeared. Then he came over to me,
lighted cigar, and began to talk. We
both had our backs to the deck, but l
knew quite well when she came up the
cabin stairs. She had something in her
hand thst creaked like a wicker basket,
and she sat down only a yard or two from
Us. She did not sit long, but came and
joined US at the helm, and then for E
little while We really talked pleasantly
enough.
We must round the point before
night, said Frank, "snd lie up near
CoFes, and then we shall be at Ryde be-
fore noon; but, in the mean while, let's
devote ourselves to dinner. I'm as hun
cry as a huntor."
q Very well, I'll go and adorn at the
utmost of my capabilities, said Laura
" Where's my bag? On, thanks, Mr..
Bennett. That's yours, isn't it?'
[ had knocked mine down in reaching
hers, and I replaced it now as she walked
away, followed by Frank l too was 60
ing, but l changed my mind and came
back for my bag When L was safely
shut into my cabin L opened it. Yes, I
thought so 1 was quite sure when l
picked it up that it was heavier than it
ought to be, and there, reposing at the
bottom was the boats hedgehog-the
grand destroyer off its backbeetles Now
l knew why she had that wicker basket,
and why she had not joined US at once
1 peepod cautiously out of my cabin door,
the dinner was then being served, and l
had an idea. Frank had been lamenting
the absence of soup.
Its all my stupid cooks fault, he
had said; but never mind, Laura, l
haven't forgotten your weakness for
larks; there a choice little dish Of them
for your special eating"
There, on the saloon table, as l stole
in, stood this identical dish. I had just
a moment in which to sweep the lsrks on
to plate and into cupboard, and to in
stall the hedgehog in their stead before
the whole party came in. There was
minutes delay before we were all seated,
and then Frank said to the cabin boy,
" Bring that dish round to Miss Stan.
hope. Now, Laura, attack the dicky-
birds"
p" Must I really7" said she; and then
the small boy with flourish whisked off
the cover. His face of amazement was
worth seeing, but she understood it in
moment "Well done, Mr.. Bennett l
should not have thought it of you! am
fairly caught in my own trap" and her
laugh rang out merrily.
''Do you lay down your arms?" said 1,
as l grayely produced the larks from the
cupboard, and placed them before her.
No, indeed" she replied, "my soul
thirsts for revenge, and / shall retire
after dinner to brood on dark schemes for
your demolition l had hoped cur
priekly friend mightremaiu unpercsived,
and might even perform the journey to
London, but did uot dc justice to your
obseryant faculties. shall know better
next time.
The evening wore on We played at
whist, and then, going on deck, watched
the lights of Cowes, as one by one they
cleaned over the waters. Laura had
been singing to US, and, as her last notes
died away, a gentle, softer expression
stole over her face.
81 wish this happy day were not 50
nearly SPENT she half-whispersd to
Frank; but never mind, there is to-
morrow to come and tomorrow, she
arohly added, as she turned with bow
to Ine, 9 hope to have the pleasure of
mine enemy"
I retnrnad the bow .,d v,foha5 ba,