Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-02-26

my side was the widow, and thou ght
that l had meyer seen her look
so lovely. l exulted in the knowledge
that she knew no one on board, l was
her only friend, consequently should
have her all to myself this was $50 !
said 10 myself what had for weeks
been longing for. Was l in love? That
question had not occurred to me. [ felt
supremely happy, and thought the
situation delightful. 1 was ready to do
anything for this fair creature. She had
only to command; I was all eagerness
to obey. soon had opportunities OF
showing my devotion.
'The following morning 1 came out
on deck very early,and was surprised to
find my little lady already there. She
looked very miserable and very pretty.
The morning salutatiens over, l asked
her how she had slept.
Il haven't slept at ALL she said, in
fretfu!, childish way, which 1 thought
charming. Such noise all night she
continued, Il could not get to sleep; and
the smells are simply dreadful. Imust
have another room. I'd rather sit uT
here all night tsan sleep in that horrid
place again. Don'd you think, Mr..
Remington, ifyou asked the captain OF
somebody, he would give me another
statereom?' and her big eyes looked in
quiringly into mine.
Certainly said. 4 Will go at once
and see about it, and if there is nc
other, you shall shall change with me,
Take my room, which is good one,
and as l don't mind either noise OF
smells, your room will suit me well
enough
Here Hugh leaned over his chair to
knock the ashes of his cigar. and said to
his friend: Il must have had it pretty
-eh. Williams;-tohave said that, for
YOU know that can't endure either a
bad odor or a loud noise. But l forgot
everything when under the influence OF
those eyes, and when she exclaimed,
oh, no; [ conldn't let you de that l
felt that my fate was sealed, and that
| should take the noise and the smells.
The next thing that l discovered was
that my lady had no sea chair. There
was only one left, and that had be en-
spoken for ; but L paid double the
amount and the chair was mine.
You are so kind, Mr.. Remington,
she SAID. I don't know what should
have done without you. l am not fit
to travel alone, she added, in childish
tones.
Il longcd to press her to my heat and
tell of my love andlf she would but
let me, it would be the Joy OF my life
to care for her. looked all this; l am
sure did. But there were too many
people around for me to speek. She
sat with her hands folded in her lap,
and looked divinely unconscious.
The third day out the weather be.
came bitterly cold.
Il am almost frozen, said Mrs..
what shall l do? l have nothing to
wrap around me, and shall have to stay
below. and, oh dear it is so uncomtOr'
table there.' The face turned up to mine
was that of spoiled child.
Now l had fine English rug, which
I had used at night, for you know every
thing at sea is so horribly damp. 1t
had been great comfort to me, and
knew that | should miss ii. But what
of that? l couldn't see the woman
loved suffer. So l got it, and tucked
her all up IN it. Her delicious smile
repaid me for the sacrifice.
oh, how nice!' she said, as she put
her hands under the warm rug. III
seems to me, Mr.. Remington, that you
have everything to make one comfort
able. never heard Of such man. 1
am so glad that 1 came under your
care
.I was SO loye-stricken that 1 did not
reflect unon her apparent unconscious
ness of these comforts in order that she
should be made comfortable. She
seemed to take it for granted that l was
a sort oftraveling missionary, with extra
wraps. staterooms, chairs, and any
thing else that one might need; and /
WAS such a slave to her fascina tons that
had she asked me to do the impossible,
I should have attempted it.
Every day 1 had itupon my lips to
tell her of my love. Each day courage
forsook me. We walked the deck day
after day. She wouldput her little soft
hand on my arm in the most confding
way. look from under her curls, laugh
her low. sweet laugh, and ask the most
childish, innocent questions.
we we're walking this way on the
sixth day ort. 1 had carefully rehears-
ed my part, and was about to tell my
stery. Her conversation seemed to
lead to it, for she said
you will come to see me when You
are IN New York, won't you, Mr.. Rem
lngton?'
.Nothng,' 1 said would give me great
er pleasure
You will come often Promise to
dine al our house once a week. Yor
won't forget me9 and the blue eyes
sought mine.
I looked into them, and my look told
what my tongue had refused to say.