Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-11-01
AN EXPERIMENT.
st Is uphill work. Life is MT all beer
and skittles is iti7

glanced arounu Inc snaDDy, ll-lurnisne1
little room His blue eyes were full Of SYM
patty and genial friendliness when he
turned them again in the direction of his
companion.
Poor old Helen., he murmured 81. il
hard lines
These two had known each other well In
the better days." when Helen had been
surrounded by the comforts and lux,lries
that il seemed natural TO suppose would
always belong to the only child Of the
wealthy Robert Stanley. Fast friends they
were before an unlucky turn Of Fortunes
wheel left Helen stranded-the money-spin-
ncr gone, and with him the whole fabric that
had been so substantial They .ad been boy
and girl together. and it was to Helen that
George L1ngton first confessed his deter
mination to go to sea, with his fathers ap-
prevail, if possible, and without it, il need
ful.
George Lanston's professional duties had
necessarily frequently interrupted the even
course Of his friendship, and since Helms
rever=e5 it had been in danger Of total col
lapse.
Il had such hunt for YOU observed the
captain presently. NC one could tell me
where You had slowed yourself Were you
surprised to see me-
SNoI very. saw by the paper that your
ship had come in
The calm tones Of her voice told nothing
Of the eager search she was in the habit of
making for information respecting the YES
sci, or Of the intense interest with which she
marked ont its course, AMI speculated As to
its whereabouts.
Il wish, then, you hal saved Inc all this
trouble by letting me know where you were
TO be found, said the captain, in q matter
Of -fact way
Helen smiled a significant little smile.
Il see. What pity it is you are SO proud.
Helen! l always told you it spoilt you"
~Prouil L. she asked, with raised eye
brows.
~Yes-rroud rs Lucifer. and as obstinat.
as the very
She interrupted him with n burst of laugh
ter, harsh and forced
Il have SO much TO be proud of, haven't II
she said, with an ironical sweep of her hand
around the dingy room.
Capt. Langton was silent for little while.
Ii, felt annoyed and almost wished he had
made no effort to find her out. He had
come so full of generous good will and pity
for her, and she seeme1 SO determined, with
her cold manner and supercilious voice, to
resist his advances He would SO gladly
help her if she would let him; hut tbs old
family relation seemed broken up; all the
freed ON and sood-fellowship gone.
You are changed Helen" he said a:
length, with something like sigh.
Changed. How am changedi"
Il cannot exactly define how; but you are
awfully changed. WHIST has become of all
the sparkle and dash:'
Il have had it rubbed out of me, sup
pose"
Poor Helen!7 Then, as if impressed with
the force OF sudden conviction-"I cannot
think how it is you have not married.
She looked up quickly; her pale face
flushed crimson
at is strange, seeing what opportunities l
have, she answered, with quiet sarcasm.
You must have had lots of chances
though"
IF had, lie; them go Men don't marry
pennies governesses.
"You are clever" he continued, with
brotherly frankness; "and most fellows
would call you Sandstone
(which means that YOU DON'T
Il never did, you know. don't admirs
DARK women
You are candid, at ali events
I'VE two never waste much sentiment
upon each other. Don't you remember how
We usei b squabble ana fight. Helene said
be Laughing.
She did not join in his mirtb, ami there
was an awkward pause in the conversation
.ihe was very difficult to get on with. Capt
LangtOn wondered how it WAS the difficulty
had never struck MIN before
1T must be lonely for you," lie observed,
making another effort t. break through the
barrier o. reserve that sic seemed bsnt upon
setting up between them. But you have
friends-you see people sometimes"
MY pupils and my landlady-and her
husband, occasionally"
'fshaw, ! mean men and women of youi
own class"
Il have no class Nv friends have driftsi
away from me-
Or, you from theni:'
''As you like. 1t comes t. the same thing
There was silence again. Helen sat with
her hands claspei loosely in her lap. and
face cold and impenetrabls aS tina: of
tie Sphinx. Capt L1ngton seemed to have
fallen into browa study, with hi, eyes
Gxei upon the fire in the tiny graf
Il have it!7 he cried, suddenly wakin- up
his face full of the energy and mischief tina,
Helen remembered as two OF its chief char
acteristics--I have i'll Look here. Hslea.
What is the use Of your muidling ON like
thisn with comprehensive glance which.
took in the coatents of the comfortles,s lttle
chamber Suppose we two lay our heals
toE ether, ami 81 to work systematically in
search Of husband for your
She looked at him for a mornent in bewiI
dered surprise, then burst into laughter The
vehement earlestaess with which lie ma 10
this drOll proposition was irresistible, ami
her mirth was genuine enough in spite o:
herself. Delighted with his success, Capt
LanSton ntinue1:
Il am not joking. Ii Is to be- done, | tel,
you There will really be no difficulty about
it. if you viii put yourself in my hands and
obey my directions Let me see have it
nll arranged. Iou must act the part Il
wiiow-you used to be good hand ut act
Ing, Heiea-take passage liz the Edinbro'
Castle, and, before We reach Melbourne. ]
wager you anything you like the thing VIII
be done!n
what nonsense you are talking, Georser'
she exclaimed
But her eyes, from some unknown cause,
mere kiniling into lire. and her face seemed
To be catching some of the life and energy
of his
1t isn't nonsense! l have often thought
it would be most interesting campaign,
and perfectly legitimate. You are wasting
your lie here. You would make a capital
wife for some fellow, I'm convinced OF
course, You shall have freedom of choice in
the matter. Why, it is the simplest thing in
the world. Men have nothing else to do on
board sailing vessel but 10 quarrel among
themselves and fall in love with the women"
How have yen contrivei 10 escape. thenf-
she asked collly
Il: Oh, l Gm not a marrying man. Be
sides, the captain has his ship TO attend u.
1t is only the passengers that get into nesses
OF that sort have seen SONS odd love
making. and some strange matches
And you seem anxious t. add TO your eI.
perienceT
No. only wan. to zee You comfortably
settled anu happy
The possibility OF your having no pas
seuzers heart whole AMI fancy free does
not appear 70 enter into your calculations.
4 DON'T care what tho state OF a mans
heart mly b. when he CONS, on board;
" I'll a .itile management clever woman
can 1T the wariest and most Indifferent
roEnl her little finger before she has been af
sea a week
Providing there are any to twis,.'
III sc tina. You don't take your passage
till we'rc satisfied on that point
~SIppose bali dozen other maiiens EN-
bark With the same worthy object. all
hoasting OF metal more attractive than
myself
You have not much 10 fear. Wiiows
have the advantage of unmarried girls. ]
notice; they have more liberty. \ starlit
mig ht, time hanging heavily on fellow
hands, and a gooi-looking widow clingins