Ellsworth American., 1874-07-30

and an elderly Californian, by the name
of Westland, who was reputed among
the passengers to be Of fabulous
wealth; to say nothing o: Mr.. Lang.
ford. a Philadelphia gentleman with q
mighty pedigree and q very minute
purse and all these auttered about the
widow like moths about q candle. I,
was marvel to see how perfectly she
managed TO retain these admirers in q
good humor with each other ~ we'll ~
with her bewitching self. She was a.
adroit in her way as is the juggler who
contrives TO keep half dozen balls in
motion in the air at one time, without
ever letting them strike against each
other, or permitting one Of them To
fall to the ground. But il any amongst
them could lay claim TO . shadow OF
preference. that shade was certainly
accorded to Julian Featon. 1t was
on his arm she leaned when ascending
or descending the slippery staircase
that led from the bulwarks TO the uD.
per deck he was her next door neigh.
Dor at meals and il her delicate hand
fingered thought longer in the clasp
of any one, 1t was in his; or il the
dark friDged, almond shaped eyes sent
sweet, speechless messages more fire.
quently in one direction than another,
1t was always to Julian Fenton that
these marks Of preference were accord.
ed.
And he! How Jared it with him un-
der these many bewildering and in
toxicating induencesI The good ship
81. Laurent had not half accomplished
her voyage. before Mr.. Fenton caught
himself in the act of seriously weigh
ing all the pros and cons Of matrimo-
ny. Notwithstanding his state Of Gel
ebacy he was still comparatively q
young man, and his knowledge Of the
state of the late John Castlemaine's
fortune enabled him TO consider the
matter from a purely prudential point
of view. lie tried hard to persuade
himself that such was the only light in
witch he contemplated the chances OF
his marrying Mrs. Castlemaine, but
1t would not do; man Of the world
though he was, and thoroughly imbued
with the worlds wisdom, he was forced
10 confess that he was blindly, madly,
aosurdly in love; as wildly infatuated,
IN TACT, as ever was a newly graduated
school girl with a West Point cadet
How he cursed his own folly, and strug.
gied aginst the influence of the enchant.
ress during those lonely night watches,
when he tossed sleepless ON his uncom-
Portable couch, and sighed for the
morning hour that would bring him to
her side again. But it was Of no use.
The bird was firmly lined, and its
every struggle only lied its wings
the more securely.
One beautiful moonlight evening, a
l.arty was groyned to...ser ON tina
ar. Langford, NJ. dc Kerrasec, and,
dt course, Mr.. Fenton. The latter,
by this time, had grown careless of
appearances, and suffered his adora-
ton TO become visible to the most
casual of lockers on. The conversa-
ton had turned on Christian names.
NJ. de kerrasec had modestly confess.
ed to the possession Of six and eight.
beginning with Louis, and ending
with Amedee. Mr.. Fenton had been
joked little about Julian the Apos-
tate, and Mr.. Langford had proclaim
ell himself the owner Of the verv pret-
ty cognomen of Francis.
1T is strange remarked Mr.. Lang
ford, "how much fashion has 70 do
with names. Look at the Nancys, Bet.
tvs and the Pollys Of the last century ="
Lady Betty Modish, for example"
remarked Mrs. Castlemaine, "though
she is only the heroine of q wicked
comedy"
After all" said Mr.. Fenton, "these
homely names were better in their
way, than the affected and sentinen-
tai ones now in vogue-Ada, Eva,
Maud, Ellie, Rosie"
Take care. Mr.. Fenton," exclaim-
ed Mrs. Castlemaine, holding up her
finger, with a playful gesture. "you are
growing personal"
"ln what way"
MY name is Rosa, at your SER
vice"
IL beg ten thousand pardons; Rosa
is charming name. l take back my
speech"
"lt is not a common name," remark
ed Mr.. Langford.
"No," said Julian, ~ do not think l
ever met with it before"
Think q moment, Mr.. Fenton. Did
you never know lady named Rosa
before!"
Yrs. Castlemaine spoke laaghingly,
and yet there was q shade Of earnest.
ness in her tone.
"Never," answered Julian, after Q
momentary reflection. II am quit 9
certain of that"
''Indeed? Then l am fortunate in
being the first and only Rosa Of your
acquaintance
The conversation here took another
turn, and the little discussion was
seemingly forgotten by all present.
The Gay before the steamer arrived
At Brest, Julian Fenton resolved to
put his fate to the touch. Not that be
had much fear as to the result he had
self conceit enough to keep him from
dreading q refusal. Yet it was with
unwonted emotion that he hazarded
his avOwal.
He was on deck alone with Mrs.
Castlemaine. Above them, in . cloud
less sky of dark, diamond studded AZ.
ure, shown the full moon, radiant with
the cold, silvery lustre Of winter,
Around them was the wide, lone waste
of waters-the solemn silence Of the
ocean and the night only broken BY
the distant sounds Of the giant engine
that propelled the good ship on her
way. The influence Of the hour, and
Of the first true, pure passion that had
ever filed his breast, lent his words {
new and thrilling eloquence.
Nor vaa THE aInnuonco aoAminUIv y