The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-05-23

had really made no great progress in her
confidence. Who she was, or why she /,
had chosen to make the voyage in this
unconventional and eccentric way, re-
manned as great a mystery as it had been
on the memorable first day. 1t was the
close of the tenth day, dating from that
of his discovery, and Julius sat beside
her in that intimate fashion bred of the
isolation of the sea.
He had been reading to her, but the
story was finished, and a silence had en-
sued she appeared to be wrapped in
thought, and he watching her face with
halfveiled glances.
"Three more days and we shall be at
home" she said, rousing herself.
"You count the days" he said. care
you eager to be there"
"No; neither eager nor reluctant. 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 nice2 Anybody in particularW
She put the question aside with little
wave of her hand.
"You are curious" she said, mischiev-
ously.
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 you2 If were to tell you that | am a
niece of the governor of Kentucky; mind,
| don't say that am" she cautioned, as
Julius made a gesture of surprise. 81
say if | were to tell you so, and add that
am mistress of an independent fortune,
would that enhance my value in your
eyes2"
Julius drummed upon the arm of his
chair, and looked at her in silence.
Suppose, on the contrary" she went
on, impetuousy, and with a certain
warmth of tone that seemed TO spring
from injured pride, 81 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 expecting to
make my living by teaching music,
would that lower me in your regard"
Julius still remained silent, perhaps a
little abashed by the results of his own
temerity.
81 see that have embarrassed YOU"
she said, laughing. - 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.
No, no, you mustn't go yet" he ex.
claimed and he fancied he perceived
dewiness in her eyes as she turned them
toward him, which touched him mex
pressbly. Il am embarrassed not so
much by your hypothesis as by some
thing 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.
I'll prove to you how little l deserve
your implied reproach, l will confess
what | should have concealed from the
governors niece. Miss Elton, / adore
you"
''Mr. Hilder" she exclaimed, spring
ing to her feet, with flashing eyes
WELL" he said, quietly, "you chal-
lenged me-"
swept away with dignity.
She remained closely shut in her own
cabin during thu remainder of the after
noon and until quite late the next morn
ing, when Julius, who had maintained an
anxious and impatient watch on deck
found her in the saloon slipping a cup of
tea and nibbling a piece of toast by way
Of breakfast.
II hope you have forgiven me-" he
said taking a seat beside her.
''But have not, she answered. with
decision.
(Which have l oifended-the gov
ernor's niece or the orphan music
teacher" he asked, with a saucy smile.
Both. 1t was daring impertinence
to the one, and a piece of insoence to-
ward the other.
well, Idon't see what I'm to do about
it. 1t isn't the sort of thing yon can ex-
pect a man to take back
NO" she said, looking absently into
her cup, then suddenly realizing that this
was not just what she should have SAID.
she hurried to add, amid confusion OF
bushes: That is, of course, you must
take it back; at least you mustn't say
anything more about it,"
"NeverP
'Never.n
"But that's impossible"
'Mr. Hilder.
"Nliss Elton
Il think we've had enough Of this. II
was my fault, am willing to admit that
1t was wretchcd taste on my part, and
have suffered all sorts of things in conse
qucnce. She waved her hand TOWARD
her cabin as she spoke, indicating that il
. was thus her hours of retirement were
spent. LET me 90 back to the frs
question" she continued. "Iou asked
, M whether there was anybody to make
[ it pleasant for me on shore. There was
no reason but my own perversity why
r should not have answered at once. No
, nobody that am at all sure will care t.
, make it pleasant for me. have a dea
|, old uncle who has always been very gooC
, TO me. but when he hears how NAUGHTY