West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-05-23
OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE
FIRE

FIRE.
Neither tall nor short. neither dark
nor fair, with hair between blonde and
brown, and eyes that left a doubt as to
whether they were gray or hazel. She
was Just such little bundle of uncer-
taintics and contradictions as led the
imagination captive at the first Glance.
and offered constant lure TO anticipa-
ton.
Whether she spoke or remained ST.
lent, whether she walked or sat, cNDec-
tation hung breathless upon her next
word, her next pose. Her eyes, vary
ing rs seemed their hue. shonc. none
the less, with candid ray that seemed
the very light of truth, and her fresh
mouth, with its milky teeth showing
between the not too-smiling lips, ire
sistibly suggested the swcctes: uses to
which lips can lie put. q.
When the heavily moving vessel had
plowed through half the great Atlantic
rollers and the few passengers had all
grown heartily tired of each other.
when she suddenly appeared for the first
lime upon deck quite alone. vet calm
and self-centcred as the small birds that
sometimes poised themselves upon spar
or bulwark to gather breath for fresh
flight.
1t was Julius Hilder who had first dis
covered her, leaning against the com
panionway railing. with the air of hav.
ing Just come up or down, he could
hardly determine which, looking alb
sently at the tumbling waves.
Julius and his friend Austin Drake
were Seceders from gay party vino had
made the tour OF Southern Europe to-
I,1i,
gated his companion to desert the 9th
crS and take the German steamer for
New Orleans direct, which then touched
AT Havrc. instead OF crossing bv a Gu
harder; and it had all grown out of the
obstinate determination on the part OF
ms sister TO attach her party to that OF
Mrs Smollelt.
Mrs. SmOllett was his choicest aver
son, pretehtious, intriguing woman.
In whom the matchmaking instinct had
been so developed by the effort 10 e..
tabllsh her own five daughters that il
could not rest satisfied with the nc
cOmplishment Of that gigantic task.
one seemed TO have an endless supply
of nieces, adopted daughters. or prote
gcS OF some sort whom she danpled rs
tcntatlously Lcfore the ewes Of all eliUi-
bic bachelors She had improved a
chance meeting with Julius to announce
I" MN new acqU -. a lovely Dung
creature, whom She VAS taking home
with her from a Swiss Pension.
MIR Smollett's own niece. MIR. Hill
der, and quite like my Fanny M her
age. You remember Fanny? She was
your first love, | believe She had said
with her ogling dowager smile. and
julius had felt himself seized M once
with an insurmountable aversion to the
lar young niece Of Mr.. Smollet.
In the first heat of his indignation
against his sister he had conceived this
notable scheme of crossing bv the Havre
steamer. and though it had not i'm its
development proved to be emincntly
amusing. he bad never omitted TO con
graduate himself and his companion.
night ana morning, upon The good sense
th'N had displayed in adopting it.
NO chattcring girls or designing
o"Wag'rs' he would say. rs he yawned
over his book or the dull game with
which they strove TO believe they ,ycro
amusing themselves, gives man time
Ia pull himself together and take ne.
count OF stock. as 10 were. Still
when on one Of those aimless p.l0rim.
age below which formed the onlv break
ln The monOtony Of his occupation. he
had nearly run over this pretty
young creature leaning against the rail
lng-. 70 thrill Of undcnisble pleasure had
courscd along his nerves and he had
icIt himself biushiug with pleased sur
prise.
oriunatc!y, the sea-tan had rendered
INC blush indi,iinct, but over the LIGHT
that shot into hi, gray eyes the ,.a-fan
had no power. nor vet over the tou0ue
tha' stammcred as he tried 10 convey
hs apologies for nearly up.cttino her.
end his offers of service in condurf.rg
her 10 seat
hank YOU she had answered
coOIIy, "yOu did not -tartlc me. a. I .s,y
you coming and am mot sure tha. I
want q seat"
here was no more tO boo said and
her maid appearing st The moment with
bundle off parl-cOIOred wrap-. JuIiu.
could only lifl boil. hat again and carr.
oul bis purpose of going below A. bc
had no reason for going except that be
wa. tire1 -. staying Ou deck. and As the
deck had now guirad paramount 4t.
traction, he was coon back again
In the meantime .he Young adv had
made up her mind about tho SCAT and
had found one for hers n close ayair.
The hip .de on tho weather quarter
It was not p.oasan' location. buf =.
she mad chosen b. and bad wrapped
large shawl about Doe. iu au exclusive
t'rI oi way. Doc SAW 700 plausible yr.uaa
Tor interfering
nothing could Htso been NOR. Dr.
Greer and retiring tHau Miss Elton .e
nav or, hu' Che perseverance Yf "a u..r
VINO hnd. him t bored Isl too much OBJ
D.