Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-20
Vales aud Sketfhfs.
MISS ELTON,
Continued from yesterday. }

an anxious and impatient watch on deck,
found her in the saloon slipping cup OF
tea and nibbling piece OF toast, by way
Of breakfast.
II hope you have forgiven me-" ne
said taking seat beside her.
But have not" she answered with
decision.
Which have offended-the govern
or's niece. or the orphan music teacher?''
he asked, with saucy smile.
Both 1t was daring impertinence
10 the one. and piece of insolence toward
the other.
We'll, don't see what | am to do
about it. 1t isn't the sort OF thing you can
expect a man TO take back"
Mo- 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 any
thing more about it"
Never
Never
But that's impossible"
MIR Hilder.'
Miss Elton"
Il think we've had enough of this. 1t
was my fault, am willing to admit that.
It was wretched taste on nv part, and | We
suffered all sorts of things in conse-
uuence.r She waved her hand toward
her cabin as she spoke. indicating that it
was thus her hours of retirement were
spent Let me 90 back to the first ques-
ton" she continued. You asked me if
there was anybody to make it pleasant for
me on shore There was no reason but
my own perversity why / should not have
answered at once. No, nobody that am
at all sure will care to make it pleasant
Tor me. 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 saw to me-" and she
puckered up her white forehead into an
expression of compunctlous perplexity.
Well" he said. after waiting some
time for her to resume, lis that all ?''
"'Ihat answers your question, does it
not p
"AIy question as originally put-yes, /
believe it does but it has been so ampli-
fed that you can hardly expect me to be
satisfied with that meagre answer
"Ampified don't understand
Those two ingenious hypothesis. for
instance-were they both pure fiction, or
which was the true statement?'
Both pure Inventions" she returned,
laughing and blushing again. II am not
that brilliant creature, a governors niece,
nor yet that more useful and respectable
one, teacher of music. The governors
niece was ust n bit of satire. | Travelled
q few weeks once in company with such a
person, and the constant iteration with
which she dwelt upon her title, aud the
amount of respect 1t seemed to inspire III
the minds of those who heard it. gave me
the impression that it was the highest
rank an unmarried woman could attain in
America think the impression must be
well founded. too, as ! noticed it produc-
ed quite an effect upon YOU
"Not the effect YOU imagine. | was
startled for a moment. | confess. but
simply because of slight coincidence "
"A coincidence Do YOU know her 90
and a hot blush and a look of consterna-
ton sat together upon the fresh young
face of Miss Elton
Never saw her but there was plot to
son and lot of other women. which de-
ieated by running away"
"Oh. you ran away.' she breathed the
words out in a startled half whisper
Yes. they went by Cunarder, and nv
friend Drake and slipped off and took
the steamer ut liavre.'
She looked at him with widely opened
eyes for Il moment. during which he de-
cided for the tiltieth time that the ewes
were brown and not deep gray. as he had
decided the other fifty times.
"Whv did you run away ?" she asked,
after a moments amused consideration.
We'll. You see, was with my sister
and two three others; Just a nice little
party. all the ladies married so a fellow
didn't always have to be on parade. We
had Jolly comfortable time until we got
to Paris on our way home. and there sis
ter took it ii into her head to Join wo-
man who had been roaming about the
continent with lot of girls on an extern
sive husband hunt-one of those women
who never look at single man without
picturing him to herself walking UP the
aisle in white tie. with half a dozen
groomsmen at his back, and who has al
ways Just the girl on hand who will walk
up the other aisle in white satin and meet
him demurely at the altar. | had no fancy
for being cooped on a steamer with such
an experienced old angler.
And the governors niece was one OF
the girls9"
Some governors niece, so | heard
Now what is the naughty thing you've
been doing? Come. confidence for conf
dence"
For sole answer, however. Miss Elton
leaned back in her chair and began to
laugh immoderately. Julius looked al
her for some moments, then catching the
infection began to laugh, too, much to the
editication of the walters, who were be-
ginning their preparations for dinner.
Il have no doubt its awfully funny
he said, as she wiped the tears from her
checks, "but think could enjoy it more
If knew just the point of view from
which you see it"
Perhaps you could" she replied de-
murely; checking an impulse to laugh
sgain. I'VE seem to be in the way; sup
pose we move"
Come on deck" he exclaimed, rising
with alacrity and offering his arm
Thank you. no. | don't feel quite
equal TO the deck this morning.
She made him a ceremonious obeisance
and her cabin door had closed behind hel
before he had fully realized her purpose.
She did not reappear during the day. 1t
was their last day at sea, and Julius was