Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-06-22

proposed marriage. She, who had nevel
encouraged HMM fact, had not known
the nature of his liking for her-at once re
jected him, candidly telling him that She
was already engaged to another gentleman
So Captain Powell retired within himself
and said no more.
Mrs. Ellis, perhaps naturally, chose t'
go to England by the Mary Burton, as sh'
knew land liked Captain Powell, rather
than take ship with stranger. He wa'
well pleased that it should be so; auc
when they came ON board received then
warmly, insisting upon giving up his owl
stateroom exclusively for them. Th'
young lady would have declined, but Mrs
Ellis, who loved comfort, accepted it a
once. There was no other cabin in thu
ship SO commodious as that.
The first two days the ladies never ap
peared at all, not even at meals-as il
usual with those unaccustomed to the sea
The weather was very rough. On tho
third day the sea was calmer, and though
there was still stiff breeze, they succeeded
in getting on deck.
"Wcll done, Mrs. Ellis, said the captain
fastening to meet them. 'You are RICH,
to come up and get some fresh air. 1t il
splendid weather, and If this breeze holds
/ hope to see you, safe and sound, ashore
in Liverpool in fourteen days. And arr
you comfortably settled in your cabin, Miss
kate?"
Diuch more SO than we could expect,
replied the young girl. II only regret
that our comfort should be at the expense
of yours"
"Do not mention it," said Captain Pow
ell, and a slight color spread over his
usually pale face. "IIeaven knows how
thankful l should be to think you fee
yourself at home on my vessel"
"You are very kind, dear captain" said
the mother; "very." For her daughter
irstead ofanswering, turned abruptly away
and became absorbed in watching the gulls
After this, though the weather was still
pleasant, she did not make her appearance
for two days. Mrs. Ellis had headache
it was said, and needed rest. The third
day the young lady came up again; and
the deck happened to be clear of all save
the master and steersman. Captain Pow
ell went to her, and Leld out his hand
reproach pervading every tone Of bis voice
"Iow could you hide yourself from US
so long, Kate You have no idea how
long the time has seemed to me-"
81 have not felt we'll" said Miss Ellis
~ am only come now for little fresh air.
"Are you going to make the voyage
across in your statcroom ?" asked the cap
tain, in low tone. 81 was thinking how
many happy hours we should spend togeth
er on deck here"
"There is still long voyage before US,
replied she, evidently i'll at ease.
"But how soon will the days pass an(
who can tell how long we shall have THU
pleasant weather. Storm and rain vii
Brighten you down, while | shall have t.
do my duty up here, Don't be cruel, Mis-
Ellis. You do not know" He broke
out suddenly, and Kate looked ut him il
terror, with SO strangely violent and hoars'
voice were the last words spoken. tll
appearance, also, was altered ; his face wa
deathly pale; his eyes had turned red, a
if they were bloodshot. As though h,
himself were aware of this, he turned from
her abruptly and walked to the other sid
of the deck.
The young girl no longer felt safe will
this strange man his behavior struck he
with a chill, hardly to be accounted for
Trembling from head to foot, she wen
below to her mother.
"What is the matter, child? ?" cried Mrs
Ellis in fright. GLOW pale you are Can
you bear the rolling of the ship yetW
"Oh, motherm sighed Kate, lit is no
that. | wish you had granted my request
and waited Tor another vessel. | was S,
afraid of this"
"Foolish Guild another would have rolle'
Just as much as this"
ut is not that, ] say, mother. You
know that in New York-you know wha
passed. That Captain Powell proposed t
me-"
"And very good taste of him, too" re
turned Mrs. Ellis, complacently looking a
her pretty daughter. "What of that
You told him that you were engaged; ant
there the matter ended"
"Yes, that ought to have ended it.
thought it did But his behavior seems s.
strange to-day that | am afraid of him
Never leave me alone on deck, mother
mind that. The voyage will be over som
time"
"What nonsense !" exclaimed Mrs. Ellis
Captain Powell is a gentleman and if h
is pleased with your pretty face, that i
nothing uncommon. He has shown hi
good feeling towards u.s."
Sand placed us under an obligation t.
him."
"Stuffm returned Mrs. Ellis. at make
him happy to know we are comfortable
and that is all the thanks he wants. BE
sides, we are not the only passel gers"
Kate Ellis answered nothing, but as SD
looked dreamily out Of the port-hole, til
image of the pale, excited man, with hi
glowing eyes, was still before her, and sh
could not Danish it. From this time SD
kept close by her mother.
Changes came in the weather. A day 0
two of calm was succeeded by gale
Fiercer and fercer grew the storm, unit
the bark was compelled to lie-to. Durin
this period the two Ladies remained in thei
roomy cabin, and the captain kept his pos
ON deck, defended from the rain by hi
macintosh and SOU -wester. The first mat
busted himself watching the steady fall c
the barometer, and the sailors, now alto
gether free from work, collected to smok
on the spars under lee Of the loneboat.
They were talking in an undertone abou
the captain. His conduct had excite
their attention, and was puzzling them.
"Well, l can't think what it is he ha
got in the wind" observed the sailmakeI
"He is quite different man since the las
voyage"
''IIe has no rest" said another. 'Da
and night he's on deck, always pacing u
and down. as if he were paid by the mill