St. Landry democrat., 1884-05-31

| want seat.
There was no more to be said, and
her maid appearing at the moment with
a bundle of parti-colored wraps, Julius
could only lift his hat again and carry
out his purpose Of going below. AS he
had no reason for going except that he
was tired of staying on deck, and as the
deck had now acquired a paramount at
traction, he was soon back again.
In the meantime the young lady had
made up her mind about the seat, and
had found one for herself close against
the ships side, on the weather quarter.
It was not a pleasant location, but as
she had chosen it, and had wrapped
large shawl about her in an exclusive
sort of way, he saw no plausible ground
for interfering.
Nothing could have been more dis
Greet and retiring than Miss Elton's be-
havior, but the perseverance of man
who finds himself bored by too much of
his own and his alter ego's society, is
an incalculable force against which no
woman can successfully intrench her
self, and SD it was not long before Drake
found himself eliminated, as a super
fuous factor, from the sum of his
friends enjoyment, whenever Miss Ell
ton 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 refer
ence to the wind or the sun, he had
really made no great progress in her
aopfidnnna Who che woe ~ yyh1y I,r.
had chosen to make the voyage in this
unconventional and eccentric way, re-
NAMED as great a mystery as it had
been on that memorable first day. It
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
ensued. she appearing to be wrapped
in thought and he watching her face
with half-veiled chances.
s'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.'
.sWhat, or rather who is going to /
make it niceP Anybody in particu-
lar?'
She put the question aside with a little
wave of her 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
aud what am,n she went ON. "You
have made a dozen attempts to find out
Tell me why. What difference would it
make to you? If l were to tell you that
/ am niece of the Governor of Ken
tucky-mind, Tssdon't say that I ann
she cautioned, as Julius made q gesture
of surprise. II say if / were to tell
you so, and add that am mistress of
an independent fortune, would that en-
nance 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
of tone that seemed to spring
from injured pride, g / were to tell you
that ! am an orphan without fortune;
that | 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
little abashed by the results of his own
temerity.
81 see that I have embarrassed You"
she said, laughing. Il shall not insist
upon an answer. leave you to adopt
hypothesis best suits you"
She gathered up her shawl and book
IS she spoke, and made a motion to
rise, but Julius laid OBTAINING hand
upon her arm.
mo, no. you mustn't go yet, " he ex-
claimed, and he fancied he perceived |
lewiness in her eyes. as she turned
hem toward him, which touched him
nexpressibly. II am embarrassed, not !
% much by your hypothesis as by some
hing in myself. Since you leave me to
choose between these hypothesis, | will !
axe the latter. You are. then, an :
orphan without fortune, hoping and ex- ,
'ecting to make your living by teaching
music. To prove to you how little de-
erve your implied reproach, will con-
ess what I should have concealed from !
he Governors neice. Miss Elton, / !;
Idore you!''
''Mr. Hildern' she exclaimed, spring.
ne to her feet, with flashing eyes.
'Well," he said, quietly, you chal- 9
enged me" a
You are impertinent sir, and she $
wept away with dignity.
She remained closely shut in her own j
abin during the remainder of the af-
arnnnn and until mite latn thu r,nvt q