National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-18

warmth of blue and the fire and sparkle
of gray. Her countenance was emblema-
tic of hor character, which, having missed
the dews and sunshine of ordinary ox-
stenco, had relapsed to tho dry, monoton-
Gus level of tho region in which II was
cast. As tho fireman had anticipated.
sho was ready TO exc out her insufficient
income in any honest fashion, and tho
travellers woro soon install led in q couple
Of airy rooms, sparsely furnished, but
sufficient for their needs.
A little separated from their fellow
passengers, and remaining for tho most
part in their simple apartments, IL hap
pcned that they wero left to themselves
the first twenty-four hours, and missed
the genial feast of reason and flow of soul
with which old travellers beguile the irk-
some moments of detention on the road.
On the afternoon Of the second day, Miss
Wilbur, answering in person a rap at the
door, was surprised to soc their whilom
acquaintance, the train hand, standing
there in respectful attitude.
MAY | ask after your fathers healthW
Thank you. Hu is feeling much the
same. He cannot expect to recruit fully
until our journey is ended"
She smile as shespoke, rejecting thntthe
rough-look ing follow madequitca respocta-
bio appearance. Invested of his coarse gar
ments and relieved of his coating Of smut
and SCOT. He accepted the smile as an in
vitation to enter, and stepped inside the
door with the easy and unconscious as
surance of % man accustomed to ready
welcome in the humble homes he fro
quented. Miss Wilbur stitlcned percepti-
bly,, but the invalid who had recognized
the young mans voice through the open
door leading to the room in which ho was
seated, called out a cordial greeting, and
the two men were soon engaged in brisk
conversation. The young lady beheld
this proceeding with unspoken disappro-
baton; and after sitting some time in
silence. and seeing that the unbidden
guest ovinccd no inclination to leave, she
brought out little writing desk and
bu sled herself somewhat ostcntatiously
with her letters. Ifshe thought to atfront
the visitor by this act, she made signal
failure. Wherever she lifted her eyes she
found his gaze fixed upon her in secret
admiration Of the small head with its
graceful poise and as he caught the
glance of her eyes he smiled friendly
response. As he rose to take his leave he
ventured upon a frank expression of his
wishes for their welfare.
"And you must not allow yourself to be
weared with your enforced stay in this
bleak little place. Miss Wilbur. We are
having no end of fun down at the train
and over at the hotel-impromptu theat-
ricals. charades buresque operas. If
your father could spare you this evening,
now
Thank you" Her voice was icy, and
the face she turned to him disturbed
even his easy composure. "You will have
to excuse me. am not accustomed to
such-gatherings." He was moving
toward the door and she had followed
him, making desperate effort to bring
out something which obstinately hid in
the depths of her pocket. As he reached
the threshold she displayed small purse
of Russia leather. You must excuse us
for our negligence yesterday" she said,
hurriedly. 1--WE could not permit you to
DO troubled without some remuneration"
and she pressed a small piece Of silver in
his hand.
At this malicious reminder of the diff
ference of tho social status the young man
started visibly. He drew himself up to
his full height and seemed for moment
about to spurn the businesslike offering,
but his better Judgment or the admirable
trait of civilized beings which we call
prudence won the day, and, after
scarcely perceptible delay, he turned the
coin over curiously in his hand, and then.
carelessly dropping it upon the floor, as If
to satisfy himself that it had the ring of
true metal, bowed low to his bencfactress.
"Do not speak of the service, Miss Will
burr he said. gratefully, this fully COM
pensates me-"
The girl was trembling with the excite
ment of her audacious deed when she
returned to the room she had just left.
He.r, father greeted hsF with a puzY5lsed
said. thoughtfully. There are great
possibilities in that young man. should
not be surprised" he continued, re-
hectively, "to see him person of consider
able consequence some day. And did you
happen to notice his profile when in ro-
pose, Bertha? 1t somehow reminded me
of the faces of those old Grecian gods we
see in ancient sculpture"
The girl gave vent to q little hysterical
laugh.
Neither his superior manners nor his
Grecian profile render him superior to
certain material considerations generally
valued by men of his class"
81 don't understand you, Bertha"
at is nothing-only l rendered him
the usual recognition for his services
yesterday"
"And he accepted it? The speaker
seemed more astonished than disap-
pointed.
Took it with the most profound thanks
and the remark that he felt fully repaid
for his trouble by my generosity. / am
not sure" continued the girl, but that
was the true object of his calling this
evening l think l am beginning to &C.
quire an insight into the character of this
singular young man." Miss Wilbur was
busily engaged putting up her writing
materials as she spoke. "He is a product
of Californian civilization. He would
not be possible IN the more conservative
circles of the eastern states. We shall
probably see more Of his type before we
return home"
The events of succeeding days ap-
peared to demonstrate that Miss Wilbur
had placed an ctfectual check on the
advances Of her quondam admirer. The
road remained closed to travel, but the
passengers at the hotels, thrown upon
their own Devices proved equal to the
emergency, and celebrated their enforced
stay on the desert with q continuous
round of gayety. Besides constant sue
cession of dramatic readings, concerts.
and theatricals the two or three vehicles
of the place were called into constant
requisition, and gay pedestrian parties
passed down the street every day bound |
on trips of exploration throughout the |
surrounding deserts. Bertha Wilbur OBJ
served not without some honest indigna-
ton, that the young fireman doomed out |
prominent and central figure on these |
occasions, The strong.limbed, genial |
young giant was serving the convenience
of the crowd. In another fortnight, in |
all probability, the people who now took
him into their circle with such pleasant |
cordially would, no doubt, pass him
without recognition If they met him on
the street. Her own summary treat
ment Of the man had possessed at least
the merit of honesty of purpose.
Whom week had passed she found |
something of Importance to engage her
thoughts. Her father, who had been |