The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-05-30
len, which defeated by running


men, which / defeated by running
away"
"Oh! you ran awayl" che breathed
the words out in startled, half whis-
per.
"Yes, they went by Cunarder and
my friend Drake and | slipped off and
took the steamer at Havre."
She looked at him with widely open
ed eyes for moment, during which he
decided for the fiftieth time that the
eyes were brown, and not deep gray,
as he had decided the other fifty
times.
"Why did you run away she ask
ed, after moments amused consdera-
ton.
"Well, you see, | was with my sister
and two or three others Just nice
little party, all the ladies married SO
fellow didn't have to be always on pa
rade, We had jolly, comfortable
time until we got to Paris on our way
home, and there sister took into her
head to join woman who had been
roaming about the Continent with a
lot of girls on an extensive 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 dozen grooms-
men at his back, and who has always
just the girl on hand who will walk up
the other aisle in white satin and meet
him demurely at the altar. l had no
fancy for being cooped on a steamer
with such an experienced old angler"
"And the Governors niece was one
of the girls 2"
"Some Governors niece, so | heard.
Now, what is the naughty thing you've
been doing? Come, confidence for
confidence"
For sole answer, however, Miss El-
ton leaned back in her chair and began
to laugh immoderately. Julius looked
at her for some moments, then, catch
ing the infection, began to laugh, too,
much to the edifcation of the walters,
who were beginning their preparations
for dinner
81 have no doubt it's awfully funny,
he said, as she wiped the tears from
her cheeks, "but l think l 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
again. "We seem to be in the way ;
suppose we move"
"Come on deck he exclaimed, ris
ing with alacrity and offering his
arm.
"Thank you, no. l don't feel quite
equal to the deck this morning.
She made him ceremonious obei
sance, aud her cabin door had closed
behind her before she had fully realiz
ed her purpose.
She did not reappear during the day
1t was their last day at sea, and Julius
was in despair. The jetties' light wa,
in sight when he retired, and when he
woke in the morning the smooth glid
ing motion OF the ship announced thai
they were in the river. He was no,
in haste to see the low shores of the
Mississippi-in fact, he felt at the mo-
ment that he had hated them yet he
sprang up, dressed with despatch ant
mounted to the deck. Everybody wa'
there but the one he sought He stood
near the companionway, watching
furtively, and starting at every step
She did not come, neither was she a
the breakfast table.
The hours glided by, the city ros,
into view, passengers came on decl
with satchels and umbrellas, prepared
for going ashore, but still that partic
ular cabin door remained closed. The,
were at the wharf, the staging was rul
out, and dozen or more citizens rush
ed across with that strange eagernes
so inexplicable to the voyager, who's
eagerness impells him in the opposit
direction. Julius, still maintaining hi
watch at the companion way, felt him
self gently put aside by tall, gray
haired gentleman in brown coat, VIII
went with careful haste down the bras
steps. He heard little cry, and peel
ing through skylight he saw Mis-
Elton in the arms of the gray-haire
gentleman, her head pressed agains
the brown coat, aud her eyes upturne
to meet his spectacled gaze.
"Her uncle !" he muttered peevishly
"who the devil is he any how7"
He moved discontentedly to the sid
and looked at the people hurryin
ashore.
: "Hello, Julius ! Going to spend th
! night aboard p cried Drake, comm
up with duly chalked valise in eac
hand.
} "Oh, Mr. Hilder," exclaimed anothe
and more musical voice. "Wait, III
Gle, l must introduce you Mr.. Hide
has been very kind to me-"
"What, Julius Why. my dea
boy, how dyer My wife wrote m
you were coming over with her.
His hand was claspea with heart
; pressure and he found himself gain
! into the spectacled eyes of Mr. Smo
lett.
"Oh, stupidest of stupids !" he e,
: claimed, as he thrust slippers an
!, brushes into his valise in the privac
of his cabin. "Bagged by the Smo
lett ogress after all, by Jupiter !" /
added as he gave last twist to h
fair moustache before the misty mi
ror.
I "Will Won give me ten cents for