The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-23

rur srony OF Ax ocnAN VOYAGE

was homeyard-bound from one
of nv various excursions across the
ocean, by which l had for many
wears beguiled the tedium of my
monotonous bachelor existence, and
having settled my belongings IN my
stateroom. / turned out to take
survey of my fellow-passengers. 1t
was autumn and the last OF the
summer tourists were returning. and
both saloons and decks were crowd
ed with animated groups. Every
one seemed cheerful and gay, and
already several embryo tiirtations
could be detected among the young
people, of whom the passengers
were largely composed. Being an
outsider myself. travelling alone, and
having left such tender pursuits far
back in the vagueness of the past, ]
amused myself with merely watch
ing and listening, and it is perhaps
not surprising that | soon found
myself wearied. 1t was for the
most part such senseless chatter,
such arrant frivolity that | heard,
such conscious posing and airy
futtering that | saw. OF course at
ter while / found exceptions TO
this tendency, but the quiet and
sensible people on board, rs usual,
occupied the background.
Failing to end myself interested
then in these surroundings, | began
leisurely inspection OF the vessel,
wandering about It's hooks and
familiarizing myself with my little
island home. And so strolling
along, / came upon a small, quiet,
gray-clad figure seated alone and
looking wistfully over the waters.
As she was quite unconscious OF my
proximity. / stepped a few PAGES of
and examined Der closely. She
looked almost a child, SO small and
slight she was, and yet one would
not have dared TO treat her as
child. There was a self-reiance and
serenity entirely unchildlike, but,
all the same, very pretty to see. Her
complexion was dark and very
rich, and cheeks charmingly round
ed and curved, and her eyes. turned
seaward, were the largest and dark
est | ever remember to have seen.
Indeed, so uncommon was their size
that, when some sound aroused her
and she turned them slowly on me,
| was dazzled by them-they gave
her face such q strange aspect, and
yet it was a peculiarity far from be-
ing unlovely. She was Spanish
had seen that at a glance-and the
mute, uncertain way in which she
looked at me prompted the convic-
ton that she felt herself, even at the
outset of this voyage, hampered by
the fact that she knew 10 other
tongue. After that one long, steady
glance, she turned her face away
again and | heard her sigh gently.
After moments hesitation imoved
just a step nearer and addressed her
in her own language, asking if II
Wa llts uAol WY
She turned with swift impul-
sive smile and looked at me again.
The great eyes were radiant with
pleasure, and with an exquisite ut
terance that made my own Spanish
seem a harsh brogue, she answered
fearless and naturally that she was
going 10 America for the first time,
and, indeed, was for the first time
ut sea.
'You viii be seasick almost GER
tainly then," | said. "Are you pre-
pared for that?"
"Oh, yes" she answered. Il
have hoped that perhaps ! might
not be, but | am pepared for any
thing"
There was a patient resolution in
her tones that piqued my curiosity,
especially as she presently informed
meshe was all alone and going simply
under the captains care. She was
full of JOY at meeting some one who
spoke her language, and constantly
intermingled with her talk little
eiaculatory expressions of thanks,
which seemed to have no appliea-
ton beside the general one of my
knowing Spanish.
When the bell sounded for dinner
took her down. Ny arm, which
was rather timidly offered, being
promptly and gratefully accepted.
After that ! used to seek her always
before meals and take her in with
me, and once, when something de-
tanned me and j was little late, /
found her waiting for nae. | think
the people of the vessel thought we
were companions from the start,
and some one alluded to her once as
my daughter, and although | hasti-
ly corrected this, / willingly let it
be supposed that she was travelling
under my care In the simplest
and most natural fashion she
learned to defer to me and lean on
my decisions, and, by and-bye, to
confide in me.
1t was one evening that we had
been sitting together a long time,
idly talking about the weather and
the ship, and wondering how long
we should have it so fair, when she
turned to me, in her soft Spanish
speech, that loses so incidentally by
translation, and said:
Il want you to tell me about your
people and your home"
felt as if her little. soft, plump
hand had dealt a blow upon my
bare heart; but / answered, sim
ply:
Il have no home, and my people
are all dead or gone from me-that
is, my parents and sisters and broth
er, for ! never had a wife or child.
which is what youAeant, perhaps"
'Yes; / meant that. 1t is so sad.
/ thought perhaps, you might have
daughter Ike me, and that made YOU
so kind"
"No, / have no daughter | said
slowly; though am, in truth, old
enough % be your father"
And you have never loved any
0ne-never wanted to be married to
some one who was good and beauti-
ful and kind? How stranger
These questions were scarcely