The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-08

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when | found the widow was to return in
ten days, | began to think that my duty
called me back to my business. The more
thought of 1t, the more important il
seemed to me to go.
"Do you know of any one going on the
l5th?' the widow asked me one evening,
in her doye-like way.
"No one but myself" l answered.
Cuisines has called me sooner than ex-
pected."
"How delightful 1" from the widow;
while Mrs. Lee exclaimed, "0h, Mr.. Rem
ington, | am so glad Icouldn I bear the
idea Of my friend going entirely alone, and
you Of all others will know best how to
take care Of her. :"
awe then began to make our plans.
Mrs. - intended making visit of a
few days to some friends in London. l
was going direct to Liverpool. Mrs. Lee
and | drove down to see our friend off,
and looked forward to the pleasure of
meeting her on board the steamer Ny
last days in Paris were spent in saying
''good-by" to old friends, and buying pres
ents for sister Nell and the children. |
got every aouveaute that could find, and
felt well pleased with my selection. At
last was on the steamer, and stood look
Ing at the ship move away. By my side
was the widow, and / thought that | had
never seen her look so lovely. exulted
in the Knowledge that she knew no one
on board, was her only friend, conse-
quently should have her all to myself !;
this was $50 | said to myself what l had
for weeks been longing for. Was | in
love That question had not occurred to
me. II felt supremely happy, and thought
the situation delightful. | was ready to
do anything for this fair creature. She
had only to command; l 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 uery pretty. The
morning salutatious over, asked her how
she had slept.
II haven't slept at all, she said, in a
fretful, childish way, which l thought
charming, "Such noise all night, she
continued, l could not get to sleep; and
the smells are simply dreadful. l must
have another room. I'd rather sit up
here all night than sleep in that Aorrid
place again. Don't you think Mr.. Rem
ington if you asked the captain or some
body, he would give me another state
room ?" and her big eyes looked inquir-
ingly into mine.
Certainly" | said. 81 will go at once
and see about it, and If there Is no other,
you shall change with me. Take my room,
which is good one, and as | don't mind
either noise or smells, your room will suit
me we'll enough"
Here Hugh leaned over his chair to
to knock the ashes off his cigar, and said
to his friend ;-!'I must have had it pretty
bad-eh, Williams ?-to have said that
for you know that | can't endure either a
bad odor or loud noise But / forgot
everything when under the influence of
those eyes, and when she exclaimed, "0h
no; couldn't let you do that felt that
my fate was sealed, and that should take
the noise aud the smells.
"The next thing discovered was that
my lady had no sea chair. There was only
one left, and that had been spoken for; but
! paid double the amount, and the chair
was mine.
"You are so kind, Mr.. Remington, sho
said, ~ don't know what | should have
done without you. am not fit to travel
alone, she added, in childish tones.
81 longed to press her to my heart and
tell Of my love; and if she would but let
me, it would be the joy Of my life to care
for her. l looked all this; | am sure
did. But there were too many people
around for me to speak. She sat with her
hands folded in her lap, and looked divine
ly unconscious
"The third day out the weather became
bitterly cold,
'I am almost frozen" said Mrs. -.
"What shall | dop have nothing to
wrap around me, and | shall have to STAY
below, and, oh dear 1t is so uncomforta-
BILE there u The face turned up to mine
was that of splendid child.
"Now had fine English rug, which
! had used at night, for you know every
thing at sea is so horribly damp. 1t had
been great comfort to me, and l knew
that should miss it. But what of that
| couldn't sec the woman loved suffer.
So | got it, and tucked her all up in it.
Her delicious smsle repaid me for the sac.
rifice.
"0h, how nice !" she said, as she put
her hands under the warm rug. at
seems to me, Mr.. Remington, that YOU
have everything to make one comfortable.
| never heard of such a man. am so
glad that came under your care !"
81 was so love stricken that | did not
reflect upon her apparent Inconsistencies
Of the fact that had deprived myself of
these comforts in order that she should be
made comfortable. She seemed to take il
for granted that | was sort Of travelling
missionary, with extra wraps, state-rooms,
chairs, and anything else that one might
need; and | was such slave to her faci-
nations that, had she asked me to do the
impossible, | should have attempted il.
Every day | had upon my lips to tell
her Of my love. Each day courage for
sock me- We walked the deck day after
day. She would put her little soft hand
on my arm in the most con6ding way, look
up from under her curls, laugh her low,
sweet laugh, and ask the most childish, in
nocent questions.
awe were walking this way on the sixth
day out. l had carefully rchearsed my
part, and was about to tell my story. Her
conversation seemed to lead to il, for she
said,
"You will come to SEQ me when YOU are
in New York, wont you, M. Rcming-
ton ~
Nothing" l said, 1would give me
greater pleasure"
"You win come often? Promise to
dine at our house once a week. You
won't forget me2 and the blue eyes
sought mine.
81 looked into them, and my look told
what my tongue had refused to say. pres
sed the little hand close to my heart, and
after pause said, below my breath, eFor-
get you y aud was about to pour forth
my love when she gave a little scream, aud
Il ftn1. MI