Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-14
Gales aud Sketfhes.
Continued from yesterday. J

Presently Miss Morton opened her
eyes, and we began chatting in an under
tone, while the old gentleman dozed in
the opposite corner. We spoke. among
other things of the Channel crossing !;
and Miss Elaine, dreading sea-sickness,
announced her intention OF remaining on
deck. thought of her exposed to the
cold rough night, and expressed my dis
approval of the plan, prognosticating.
violent storms to occur on that particular
night.
.You are an alarmist, Mr.. Lenox. and
a good deal of . Miss Nancy, l really
believe know as much about these storms
As Won do. You frightened me about the
Brussels lace, or tried to'-with a saucy
look did not quite understand-'and now
Won wish to invoke thunder and lightning
upon nv defenceless head. You are real
" q very unsatisfactory nail to hang ones
faith on
Though said in bantering tone. her
words cut me. for it seemed only too true
that had given her little else than false
information ever since we had met-her
to whom wished to appear living en-
cyclop@dia-
"An idea occurred to me by which l
might convince her of the truth OF one at
least of my statements. and which would
put into execution before the end of our
Journey. Would our journeys close mean
the end of our acquaintance thought,
with horrible dread. A wild presumpt-
uous hope within me said Mo- all was
not finished between us.
I'VE speedily drew near the station at
the frontier where the custom house ex-
animation was to take place.
eel suppose we must turn out here and
give up our keys grumbled Mr.. Morton,
as we we slackened speed at the station.
Tout lie monde descend de voiture y
called the silver -buttoned guard along the
platform.
~ handed out one huge dressing case
and leather satchel after another into the
charge of Mr.. Morton, and then assisted
my fair companion to alight. What a
pretty foot and ankle she had! And would
She resentfully think the pressure of my
hand over hers more than the occasion re-
quired?
The crowd surged about US, and was
separated from Mr.. Morton and E(ane as
we entered the customs Office. The mo-
ment had arrived to convince Miss Elaine
that my statements and warnings were not
ALWAYS to be scorned. The tritling hoax
that had planned would do no harm. and
would benefit me in establishing my char
acter for accuracy.
"Unobserved by either of my travelling
companions. touched customhouse Of
ficer on the shoulder, and whispered to
him with a knowing wink; Il have rea-
son to suspect that young lady of hiding
in her pockets more than the law allows,
pointing to Elaine,a few yards in advance
of me- 4 advise you to have her search
ed; it will pay you the trouble
..By this little stratagem Elaine would.
thought. be frightened out of her femin-
inc desire to smuggle. and she would
never taunt me again with being an over
anxious Miss Nancy l should, on the
contrary, earn her gratitude in sparing
he- humiliation and disgrace.
The officer advanced with alacrity and
| fell back to await results. Here some
thing occurred which had the effect of
totally banishing even Elaine from my
mind for the time being. Some one put a
letter in my hand which ran as follows:
DEAR LENox Old John is in rage
about the twenty-five pounds you owe him
thinks you have absconded. You have
been traced to the vicinity of the frontier,
and will be arrested there unless you can
pay the money. Don't make fuss about
it-resign yourself to the lookup for few
days, and we fellows will manage to re-
lease you. In haste. DERwENT.'
IL was in a terrible predcament indeed
liable at auy moment to be dragged away
for paltry debt under the very eyes OF
my enchantress. l should be disgraced
and discarded forever, for had not ten
pounds in my purse; and to borrow of
Mr.. Morton on so short an acquaintance
would be scarce less disgraceful than
what dreaded. How the Ominous letter
found its way into nv hands l could not
tell-nor did care; l was too tortured
with anxiety as to what the next moment
might bring forth.
at never rains but pOurs, and one wave
of CONSERVATION after another began to
engulf me. As l stood wondering
whether ! should ANONYMOUSLY take to
fight or await my fate. Mr.. Morton, hat
less. with face as white as chalk and
nervously twitching hands. hurried towards
me.
''Oh, Mr.. Lenox. he cried. thank good
ness have found you at last! Such a
dreadful scene is occurring My daughter
Elaine--the foolish child had some lace
hidden about her dress. They have found
it, and can't understand much of their
chatter, but l think they mean to arrest us
all. Do, pray, come and speak word
for us; they must surely know we are
people of position. Why Elaine's mother
was Sidney Of
This was no time for chapter in gen.
ealogy, and. leaving the old gentleman
with his sentence unfinished, l flew in
search of Elaine. As | rushed into the
Office what tableau met my gaze-Elaine
in a fit of hysterical sobbing, stern WIS.,
aged woman regarding her disiainfully,
one or two officials talking and gesticulat-
ing with much eagerness. and on the table
long piece of lace as fine as gossamer
81 took in the situation at glance. In
spite of my warnings Elaine had bought
that ill-fated lace-she told me afterwards
that she had sent the chambermaid out for
it at the last moment-and had hidden it
in her dress; and I, in my eagerness to
make good impression, had brought all
this suffering and disgrace upon the beau
tiful sobbing darling. How 1 hated my
self for such folly
oFortupafelv sbo did MT kro,- v-h.x =.