The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-02-20
Business has called me sooner than

Business has called me sooner than I
WHow delightful + from the widow
while Mrs. Lee exclaimed, 'Oh, Mr..
Remington, I am 30 gladl I couldnf
bear the idea of my friend going entirely
alone, and you of all others will know
best how to take care of her..
"We then began to make our plans.
Mrs. - intended making visit OF 9
few days to some friends in London.
was going direct to Liverpool. Mrs.
Lee and drove down to see our friend
of, and looked forward to the pleasure
of meeting her on board the steamer.
NV last day in Paris were spent in say.
ing goodbye to old friends, and buy
ing presents for sister Nell and the chill.
dren. / got every nouSeaute that l
could find, and felt well pleased with
nv selection. At last was on the
steamer, and stood looking at the ship
move away. By my side was the widow,
and thought that had never seen her
look 30 lovely. I e1ulted in the knowl--
edge that she knew no one board. I
was her only friend, consequently I
should have her all to myself this was
ESQ I said to MYSELF what had for
weeks been longing for. Was I in love
That question had not occurred to me:
I felt supremely happy, and thought
the situation delightful. I was ready to
do anything for this fair creature. She
had only to command; I WAS all eager
mesa to obey. Isoon had opportunities
of showing my devotion. ..... ..-.
"The following morning I 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 salutations over, 1 asked
her how she had slept.
GO I haven't slept at all" she said, in
fretful, childish way, which I thought
charming. 'Such noise all night,
she continued, L could not get to sleep;
and the smells are simply dreadful. 1
must have another room. I'd rather
sit up here all night than sleep in that
horrid place again. Don't You think,
Mr.. Remington. if you asked the cap.
tain or somebody, he would give me
another stateroom p and her big eyes
looked inquiringly into mine.
Certainly I said. Il will 60 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 I
don't mind either noise OF smells, your
room will suit me well enough.
Here Hugh leaned over his chair to
knock the ashes off his cigar, and said to
his friend: "T must have had it pretty
bad-eh, Williams ?-to have said that,
for you know that I can't endure either
bad odor or loud noise. But I forgot
everything when under the influence OF
those eyes, and when she exclaimed,
sOh, no; couldn't let you do that, ]
felt that my fate was sealed, and that l
should take the noise and the smells.
"The next thing that discovered was
that my lady had no sea chair. There
was only one left, and that had beer
spoken for; but I paid double the amount
and the chair was mine.
"sYou are 60 kind, Mr.. Remington,
she said. 'l don't know what should
have done without you. I am not dt TO
travel alone, she added, in childish tones.
CT 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. I looked all this; !
ami sure I did. But there were toe
many people around for me to speak.
She sat with her hands folded in her lap,
and looked divinely unconscious.
"The third day out the weather be-
came bitterly cold.
"sI am almost frozen,' said Mrs.
-. what shall I do2 I have moth
ing to wrap around me, and shall have
to stay below, and, oh dear it is 30 un-
comfortable therep The face turned
up to mine was that of spoiled child.
:" Now had fine English rug, which
I had used at night, for you know every
thing at sea is 30 horribly damp. It had
been great comfort to me, and knew
that should miss it. But what of that 1?
couldn't see the woman I loved suffer.
So 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. 1t
seems to me, Mr.. Remington, that you
have everything to make one comfort.
able. never heard of such man. I
am so glad that came under your
care
81 was 80 love-stricken that I did not
reflect upon her apparent unconscious
ness Of the fact that I had deprived my
self of these comforts in order tn she
should be made comfortable. She
seemed to take it for granted that I was
sort of travelling missionary, with
extra wraps, staterooms, chairs, and
anything else that one might need and
I was such q slave to her destinations
that, had she asked me to do the i'm
possible, I should have attempted it.
"Every day I had it upon my lips to
tell her Of my love. Each day courage
forsook me. We walked the deck day
after day. She would put her little
soft hand on my arm in the most con.
fiding way, look up from under he,
curls, laugh her low, sweet laugh, and
ask the most childish. innocent cues
tions.
"We were walking this way on the
sixth day out. Ihad carefully rehearsed
my part, and was about to tell my story.
Her conversation seemed to lead to it,
for she said:
"sYou will come to see me when you
are in New York, won't you, Mr.. Rem.
ington ?
Nothing I said, would give me
greater pleasure.
hYUu will come often? Promise tc
dine at our house once a week. You
won't forget me?' and the blue eyes
sought mine.
II looked into them, and MY looh
told what nv tonoue had refused TO say