The N.C. Republican, and civil rights advocate., 1884-05-22

Nothing could have been more discreet
and retiring than Miss Elton's behavior.
but the perseyerance of man who finds
himself bored by too much of his own
and his alter egOas society, is an incal-
culable force against which no woman
can successfully entrench herself, and so
it was not long before Drake found him
self 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 arranged her
chair in the most comfortable position
with reference to the wind OF the sun, he
had really made no great progress in her
\ conadend Who She was. or why she,
\ had chosen to make the voyage in this
unconventional and eccentric way, re-
mained as great 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 silence had en-
sued, she appeared to be wrapped in
| thought, and he watching her face with
half-yeiled glances.
| ''Three more days and we shah be at
home" she said, rousing herself.
"You count the days. he said. care
you eager to be thereg"
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 particularly
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 you? 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. Il
say if | were to tell you so, and add that
| am mistress of an independent fortune,
would that enhance my value in your
eyes?"
julius drummed upon the arm of his
chair, and looked at her in silence.
Suppose, on the contrary" she went
on, impetuously, and with certain
warmth of tons that seemed to spring
from injured pride, Il were to tell you
that [ am an orphan without fortune;
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 n
Julius still remained silent, perhaps a
little abashed by the results of his own
temerity.
~ see that 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.
" 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
pressibly II am embarrassed, not SO
much by your hypothesis as by some
thing in myself Since you leave me to
choose between these hypothesis, ] III
take the latter. You are, then, . orPnah
without fortune, hopire ~ expecting
III I-,,Ir 80, ~ ID how little l deserve
rorr inyHtd reproach, will confess
yvhr, Should have concealed from the
governors niece. Miss Elton, | adore
your
'AIr. Hilderr' she exclaimed, spring
ing to her feet, with flashing eyes.
"Well," !" he said, quietly, ''you chal-
lenged me-
"You are impertinent, sir" and she
swept away with dignity.
She remained closely shut in her own
cabin during the 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 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.
I TWhich yhave l offended-the gov
ernor's niece or the orphan music
teacher?n he asked, with a saucy smile
Both. 1t was a daring impertinence
to the one, and piece of insolence to-
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