The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-05-29

NOtnlng cOuIQ nave Deen more OlS-
Greet and retiring than Miss Elton's
behavior, but the perseverance of the
man who finds himself bored by too
much of mis- own and his alter ego's So
ciety, is an incalculable force against
which no woman can successfully en-
trench herself, and so 1t was not long
before Drake found himself eliminated,
as superfuous factor, from the sum
of his friends enjoyment, whenever
Miss Elton appeared above deck. His
success, however, was more apparent
than real, for although he knew her
name, and was allowed to carry her
book and her shawl, and arrange her
chair in the most comfortable position
with reference to the wind or the sun,
he had really made no great progress
in her confidence. Who she was, or
why she had chosen to make the voy-
age in this unconventional and eccen-
trio way, remained as great mystery
as it had been on that memorable first
day. 1t was the close of the tenth
day, dating from that of his discovery,
and Julius sat beside her in that inti-
mate fashion bred of the isolation of
the sea.
He had been reading to her, but
the story was finished, and a silence
had ensued, she appearing to be wrap
ped in thought, and he watching her face
' ith half-veiled glances.
Three more days and we shall be
at home," she said, rousing herself.
''7ou count the days" he said.
care you eager to be there?"
ssNn. paithar nor
The voyage has been pleasant, but it
will be nice to be on shore again, too"
''What, or rather who, is going to
make it niceP Anybody in particu-
lar?'
She put the question aside with lit
tie wave of the hand.
'You are curious" she said, mis-
chievously.
Julius bit his lip. He was curious,
and this was not the first time she had
foiled him.
''You want much to know just who
and what am" she went on. "You
have made dozen attempts to find
out. Tell me why. What difference
would it make to youP If l were to
tell you that | am niece of the Gov
ernor of Kentucky; mind l don't say
that l am, she continued, as Julius
made gesture of surprise II say if
L were to tell you SO, and add that am
mistress of an independent fortune,
would that enhance my value in your
eyes?"
Suppose, on the contrary" she
went on impetuously, and with GER
tain warmth of tone that seemed to
spring from injured pride, II were to
tell you that | am an orphan without
fortune; that l had just money enough
to carry me through the Conservatory
at Paris, and that [ am hoping and ex-
pecting to make my living by teaching
music, would that lower me in your
regardp"
Julius still remained silent, perhaps
a little abashed by the results of his
own temerity.
81 see that l have embarrassed you,"
she said, laughing. Il shall not insist
upon an answer. leave you to adopt
whichever hypothesis best suits you.'
She gathered up her shawl and book
as she spoke, and made motion to
rise, but Julius laid OBTAINING hand
upon her arm.
mo, no, you mustn't go yet" he
exclaimed and he fancied a dewiness
in her eyes as she turned them toward
him, which touched him inexpressibly.
81 am embarrassed, not so much by
your hypothesis as by something in
myself. Since you leave me to choose
between these hypothesis, will take
the latter. You are, then, an orphan
without fortune, hoping and expecting
to make your living by teaching music.
To prove to you how little | deserve
your implied reproach, | will confess
what L should have concealed from the
Governors niece. Miss Elton, adore
your
"Mr. Hilderr' she exclaimed, spring.
ing to her feet, with flashing eyes.
Well" he said, quietly, "you
challenged me-"
''You are impertinent, SIR" and she
swept away with dignity.
She remained closely shut in her own
cabin during the remainder of the af-
ternoon and until quite late in the
morning. when Julius, who had main
tanned an anxious and impatient watch
on deck, found her in the saloon sip
ping cup of tea and nibbling piece
of toast by way of breakfast.
Il hope you have forgiven me-" he
said, taking a seat beside her.
"But have not" she answered with
decision.
(Which have l offended-the Gov
ernor's niece or the orphan music
teaoher?" he asked with saucy smile.
both. 1t was a daring imperti-
nence to one and piece of insolence
toward the other"
''Well, | don't see what I'm to do
about it, 1t isn't the sort of thing YOU
can expect man to take back"
mo, she said, looking absently in
to her cup, then suddenly realizing
that this was not just what she should
have said, she hurried to add, amid
a confusion of bushes: THAT is, of
course, you must take it back; at least
you mustn't say anything more about
it,
"Never?"
Never
But that's impossible.
''Mr Hilder."
Miss Elton"
al think we've had enough of this.
1t was my fault; l am willing to admit
that. 1t was wretched taste on my
part, and I've suffered all sorts of
things in consequence. She waved
her hand toward her abin as she spoke,
indicating that it was thus her hours
Of retirement were spent Let me 60
back to the question" she continued. |
You asked me whether there was any
body to make it pleasant for me on |
shore. There was no reason but my |
own perversity why l should not have
answered at once. No, nobody that | |
am at all sure will care to make it |
pleasant for me. l have dear old |
uncle who has always been very good |
to me; but when he hears how naughty |
have been don't know what he will |
say to me-" and she puckered up her
white forehead into an expression of |
perplexity.
''Well, he said after waiting some |
lime for her to resume, sis that alp"
That answers your question, does it
lotP''