Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-05-29
In SPITE OF HIMSELF.

Neither tall nor short, neither dark nor
fair. with hair between blonde and
brown, and eyes that left doubt as to
whether they were gray or hazel. She
was just such little bundle of uncer-
tainties and contradictions as led the
Imagination captive at the first glance,
and offered constant lure to anticipa-
ton.
Whether she spoke or remained silent,
whether she walked or sat, expectation
hung breathless upon her next word her
next pose. Her eyes, varying as seemed
their hue, shone, none the less, with a
candid ray that seemed the very light of
truth, and her fresh mouth, with its
milky teeth showing between the not
too-smiling lips, irresistibly suggested
the sweetest uses to which lips can be
put.
The heavily moving steamer had
plowed through half the great Atlantic
rollers, and the few passengers had all
grown heartily tired of each other, when
she suddenly appeared for the first time
upon deck quite alone, yet calm ard self
centercd as the small birds that some
times poised themselves upon spar or
bulwark to gather breath for fresh flight.
1t was julius Hilder who had first dis
covered her, leaning against the compan-
ionway railing, with the air of having
just come up or down, he could hardly
determine which, looking absently at
the tumbling waves.
Julius and his friend, Austin Drake,
were seceders from gay party who had
made the tour of Southern Europe to-
gether It was julius who had insti-
gated his companion to desert the others
and take the German steamer for New
Orleans direct, which then touched at
Havre, instead of crossing by Cunarder;
and it had all grown out of the obstinate
determination on the part of his sister to
attach her party to that of Mrs. Smollett
Mrs. Smollett was his choicest aversion,
pretentious, intriguing woman, in whom
the match making instinct had been so
developed by the effort to establish her
own five daughters that it could not rest
satisfied with the accompli hment of that
gigantic task. She seemed to have an
endless supply of nieces, adopted daugh-
tiers, or proteges of some sort, whom she
dangled ostentatiously before the eyes of
all eligible bachelors. She had improved
a chance meeting with Julius to announce
to him new acquisition, lovely young
creature, whom she was taking home
with her from Swiss Pension.
Mr.. Smollett's own niece, Mr. Hilder,
and quite like my Fanny at her are.
You remember Fanny? She was your
first love, believe,n she had said, with
her ogling dowager smile, and julius
had felt himse seized at once with an
insurmor' table aversion to the fair young
niece of Mr. Smollett.
IN the Iirst heat of his indignation
against his sister he had conceived this
notable scheme of crossing by the Havre
steamer, and though it had not IN its
development proved to be eminently
amusing, he had never omitted to con-
graduate himself and his companion,
night and morning, upon the good sense
they had displayed in adopting it.
No, chattering girls or designing
dowagers, he would say as he yawned
over his book or the dull game with
which they strove to believe they were
amusing themselves. 'sgives man time
to pull himself together and take account
stock, as it were" Still, when on one of
those aimleSs pilgrimages below which
formed the only break in the monotony
of this occupation. he had nearly run
over this pretty young creature leaning
1 against the ratings, thrill of undeni-
able pleasure had coursed along his
nerves and he had felt himself blushing
with pleased surprise.
Fortunately, the sea-tan had rendered
! the blush indistinct. but over the light
that shot into his gray eyes. the sea tan
had no power. nor yet over the tongue
that stammered as he tried to convey his
apologies Tor nearly upsetting her, and
his offers of service in conducting her
to seat.
THANK you" she had answered
coolly, ''you did not startle me, as l saw
! you coming, and am not sure that ]
want seat"
There was no more to be said, and her
maid appearing at that 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 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
1t was not pleasant location, but as she
had chosen it, and had wrapped large
shawl about her in an exclusive sort oil
way, he saw no plausible ground for In
n-EA