The Cecil Whig., 1885-11-28
Ro"'"'s 1"''''''. ] fiction.
DANGERS OF THE SEA.
TWO SILLY GIRLS, A LORD AND A
SMUGGIER.

wv H1II1 dlhIS, "A uuhU AMI
sMUGGIER.
| Ariadne and Selma Cross the Ocean in a
Steamer, and Strangers, Whose Name,
They Do Not Know, Flirt With Them
| 4 NarTGtire by Mary Prescott.
Ariadne had been on the Neried q
whole day, but owing to sea-sickness,
she had not SO much as glanced at the
passenserlist. Having, however, found
her way upon deck the morning of the
second day, she felt equal to no greater
literary effort than reading it over and
pondering upon Identities.
''upon my word, Selma" she said
presently, looking up with a gasp.
''There's real, live lord on board. l
wonder how we shall find out which
one he is? Lord Kingsbury 1t sounds
sweetly; the title is always a kind OF
spell that evokes memories of mano.
rial estates and large rent-roll. l see
fine path and noble trees, and stat
uary and fountains-and-oh dear
do you suppose we will get acquainted
with himo Come, Lena, can't you
take an interest ?"
"'The rank is but the guinea's
stamp, " said Lena, looking up from
her novel. 81 think your noble lord
is that old gentleman in the sealskin
overcoat, who limps lords are always
gouty, you know. He doesn't ap-
peal to me-"
How discouraging you are, Lena
Now | uspect"-jus then a young
man who had been doing in a deck
chair little way behind them threw
Oft his rug and began to pace the
deck, after the manner of those who
would assure themselves and the world
of the trustworthiness of their sea-legs.
He had fine carriage and his bright
chestnut hair blew across his white
brow in heavy rings, while he gave a
passing glance at Ariadne and Selma
as he walked, fron. pair of "killing"
brown eyes, as Ariadue expressed 1t !;
half indifferent, lordly glance, tenn
pered with a touch Of amusement.
Now, that's ny idea OF a lord"
whispered Ariadne.
''But lord is not always young"
"No; but if he isn't Lord Kings
bury his lordship is a myth. Now the
question is, ho70 shall we get acquainted
with him?'
''Speak in the singular, please. If
he wants to know you, he will manage
it, without your lifting a finger. He
looks as if he were laughing at u.s.
''Let those laugh who win. Where
has the bird flown? l hoped he was on
walking match across the deck
"He went into the card-room. l
dare say he is a gambler, they're al
most always good looking. They've
been betting on the ships speed she
made 29o knots yesterday, and that
young gentleman in the brown ulster,
took the pool.
'He doesn't look taking He must
belong to the steerage.'
II don't think so,' answered Selma.
"He moved my deck chair last even
ing when the wind blew too fresh on
the other side.'
"And you talked with him?'
''Certainly. And what's more he
talked like a-a-he's just splendid
He has read Ruskin and Huxley and
all my favorites. He had the poets at
his tongues end
"a nice place for them. You
oughtn't accept attentions from such
people, Selma l suppose he's some
drummer, and he looks as if he ate
with his knife. You might not like to
know him in New York
81 should be glad to know him in
heaven, confessed Lena. l don't be-
lieve your Lordling can hold candle
to him, conversationaly.'
"Fudge hate men who read
Ruskin and talk philosophy and quote
poetry-they are almost always poor
and peculiar, live on salary and have
no ideas about flirting"
Just then the young man in question
picked up the parasol which the wind
had snatched from Ariadne's hand and
had sent half across the deck. He
brought it to her with pleasant bow.
"Thank you,' she said, quite stlfiy;
but without seeming at all crushed he
took the vacant chair beside Lena and
resumed the broken thread of last
evenings discourse. Ariadne resumed
her book, but finding that Lena was
bent upon drawing her into the init
macy, she announced her intention of
taking constitutional, and left them
to their own devices.
81 don't mean to encourage that
hobbledeboy,' she said to Lena, later.
cit won't do for you to know him at
all, Selma, and | shan't countenance
it,
ale asked if you sang laughed
Lena. "They are getting up a con-
cert for the benefit of the Seaman's S
Society. Itold him Won sang like a