The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-02-27
Select Story.
ACROSS THE SEA.

The Pomerania was three days out from
Havre, sailing briskly along at the rate of
fourteen knots, her sails filled by the stiff
| Easterly breeze, and every one on board
cheered with the prospect of a quick run.
Most of the passengers were on deck, stretch
ed indolently upon the settees or leaning
| idly against the taffrail. OF the latter, Mr..
Ralph Hawthorne was one A sea voyage
was always bore to him, and by NJ means
Il novelty, for it came in the line of his bus
iness, and had already come, in his life of
80 years, fifteen times But on this occa-
sion its monotony promised to be relieved
by an appuriuon that had just come up the
companion way, in the person of Miss Nell
| ly EgertOn, and was now standing somewhat
uncertainty in the door, waiting for the vcs-
sci to resume its equilibrium and allow a
safe exit.
Hawthorne seemed to have some intui-
tive consciousness of her approach, for he
turned around and called out with well
coming smile, wait moment Miss Egg
erton, and I'll give you hand
Bat she had already come out, deftly bal
ancing herself, and accepting his protiered
aid only as the ship gave another lurch and
sent her sliding down toward the railing.
what breezy day ? she exclaimed,
merrily, grasping the rail and tossing back
the strands Of hair which the wind blew
out from underneath the picturesque little
hat and chased about her forehead
It's with US, though, Miss Egerton, and
we can bear it with equanimity.'
Aren't we making a very good run, Mr..
Hawthorne p
The gentleman nodded Very good, if it
only keeps up
You're all alone on board aren't you
Miss Egerton p he asked.
Pm sure | feel So, she replied. Mad
anne De la Nigue came with me to Havre,
but since We lett have hardly spoken to a
soul and besides yourself, Mr., Hawthorne,
there isn't another English person Oh
board
But you're not altogether English, Miss
Egerton your accent at least suggests some
foreign element
My mother was French she said and
lived in France ever since | was a little girl
| was born, though, in India. Papa and
mamma both died there she continued at-
ter a minute-'papa first, and mamma knew
nothing about his relatives, and hadn't any
of her own, 50 at last she sent me to her old
friend Mrs. Lancaster, vino had taught her
English at Malame De la Vigne's pension
in Tours And so grew up there, and used
to talk English to Mrs. Lancaster and
French to Madame, until Mrs. Lancaster
died, and Madame, and | came to Paris,
where we've given French and English es-
sons in the Rue Neuye des Mathurins ever
since. That was two years ago.
And now you're going to America =?
Yes, Mr., HAWTHORNE
For the first time ??
| Yes
And you expect to enjoy it, no doubt?
i hope to, Mr.. hawthorne
'Nou have friends in New York p he
ventured after moment to ask. not so much
from curiosity as genuine interest in her
l"he'y condition. But the simple atfirma-
tive which she gave checked any further in
quiry.
50 the days went on, each one wearing of
little Of the young girls shyness and re-
verse, and confirming Ralph's purpose to
win it altogether away, and secure that last
bit of her confidence which she still care
fully withheld. And yet, intimate as their
relations had become and confidential as
she was in all things but this, day followed
day and the end of the voyage drew near,
and still Ralph had not learned the purpose
OF her journey. And before he did learn it
the knowledge came to him that he had now
more shan mere curiosity in Nelly Eyer
tons affairs, and more than compassion for
her Loneliness, and that it was now with the
! interest and anxiety OF love for this pretty