The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-01
Ora. purely uni f,.cted act. She s,,ppsd through

the door and softly closed II behind her
Reaching the upper deck. she was relieved to
md her father had not returned and her
absence hnd been unnoticed. For she had
resolved TO keep Do Ferrieress secret to her.
self from tho moment that she had unwittin1ly
discovered II; and to do this and still be abs
to watch over him without her fathers
knowledge required some caution. She Was
conscious Of his strange aversion 10 the
unfortunate man. without understanding tho
reason. but a. she was 10 tho habit OF enter
tanning his caprices moro from afYectionnte
tolerance OF his weakness than reverence OF
his judgment, abe saw 10 disloyaty to him In
Withholding a confidence that night BIO dis.
loyal to another. 1t won't do father any good
TO know IT," she said to herself. and II 1t did
II ouRhtnt to-" she added with triumphant
feminine logic. But tho impression mndo
upon her by the spectacle she had Just Wit
messed was stronger than any other consider
Ntion. Tho revelation OF Do Ferriares's secret
poverty seemed q chapter from n romance Of
her own weaving: for a moment 1t lftsd the
miserable hero out Of tho depths OF his folly
and selhshness. She forgot the weakness OF
the man III tho strength Of his dramatic sur.
roundinGs. 1t partly satisfied Il craving she
had felt; 1t was not exactly the story OF the
ship as she had dreamed IT, but II was an ep-
sods in her expericnce OF II that broke its mo-
notony. That she should soon learn. perhaps
OF his strange seclusion. and that II involved
more than appeared to hor now. she never for
o moment doubted.
At tho end OF an hour she again knocked
softly at the door carrying some light nourish-
mont she had prepared for him. lie was
asleep but she was astounded to md that in
tho interval he had managed to dress himself
completely In his antiquated fnery. II was q
momentary shock to the Illusion she had been
In he ME iohI>
contrast between his haggard face and his
pomatumed hair and beard, the jauntiness Of
his attire. and the collapse OF his invalid
figure. When she had satisfied herself that
his sleep was natural. she busted herself
softly In arranging the miserable apartment.
With few feminine touches she removed
the slovonlness OF misery and placed tie
loose material and ostentatious evidences
81 his work on ono side Finding that
no still slept. and knowing the impor-
tanoe OF this natural medication, she placed the
refreshment she had brought by his sde and
noiselessly quilted the apartment. Hurrying
through the gathering darkness between decks.
she once or twice thought that she had heard
footsteps. and paused. but. encountering no
one. attributed the impression to her over
consciousness. Yet she thought il prudent to
60 to the galley first, where she fingered a few
moments before returning to the cabin. On
entering she was little startled at observing a
figure seated at her fathers desk. but was
lieved at finding 1t was Mr.. Renshaw.
He rose and put aside tho book he had idly
picked up e am afraid am an intentional
intruder this time, Miss Mott. But found no
one here. and was tempted to look into this
shipshape little snuggery. You see the temp
tation got the better Of me-"
His voice and smile we're frank and pleas
ant. SO free from his previous restraint, yet
still respectful. so youthful. yet manly. that
Rosey was affected by them even In her pre-
occupation. Her eyes frightened and then
dropped before his admring glance. Had she
known that the excitement OF the last few
hours had brought wonderful charm into her
pretty face. had aroused the slumberng life Of
her half wakened beauty. she would have been
more confused. As 1t was. she was only glad
that the young man should turn out to be
nice" Perhaps he might tell her something
about ships; perhaps II she had only known
him longer she might, with De Ferrieress per-
mission have shared her confidence with him.
and enlisted his sympathy and assistance. She
eontented herself with showing this anticipa-
tory gratitude In her face as she begged him.
with the timidity OF q maiden hostess. TO re-
sume his seat.
But Mr.. Renshaw seemed to talk only to make
her talk, and am forced to admit that Rosey
found this almost as pleasant 1t WAS not LONG
before he was In possession OF her simple his
cory from tue Gay OF ner paOy omiSrhtlOn TO
California to the transfer OF her childish life to
tho old ship. and even OF much OF tho romantic
fAncies she had woven into her existence there.
Whatever Interior purpose he had in view he
listened A. attentively "a II her artless chron-
iclo was filled with practical information. Once.
whom she had paused for breath he said, grave
~. Il must ask you to show me over this Won
derful ship some day that may SEQ 1t with
your eyes,"
But think you know 1t already better than
do" said Rosey. with a smile.
Mr. Renshaw's brow clouded slightly. All"
he said. with touch Of his former restraint;
land why2'
well" said Rosev. timdly II thought you
won't round and touched things In a familiar
way. as II you had handled them before"
The young man raised his eyes TO Rosey's
and kept them there long enough to bring
back his gentler expression. Then. because
found you trying on n very queer bonnet the
first day I saw you" he said. mschievously.
II ought TO believe you were in the habit of
wearing one"
In the first flush OF mutual admiration
young people are apt to ind a laugh quite rs
significant rs n sigh for an expression OF SYM
pathetic communion. and this masterstroke
Of wit convused them both. In the midst OF
it Mr. Mott entered the cabin. But the COM
placency with which he viewed the evident per-
feet understanding OF the pair was destined to
su1er some abatement. Rosey. suddenly con-
scious that abe WAS In some way participating
in ridicule OF her fathcr through his unhappy
1ift. became embarrassed. Mr. Renshaws re-
straint returned with the presence OF tho old
man. In vain, at first Abner Mott strove with
profound levity to indicate his comprehension
OF the situation. and In win. later. becoming
alarmed. no endeavorcd with cheerful gravity.
to indicate his utter obivousness Of any but a
business Significance In their t6te-a-
e oughtn't to hev intruded. Rosey" he said.
when you and tho gentleman wero tal'iin OF
contracts mchbee: but don't mind me-. I'm on
the ny, anyhow. Rosey dear. hevin' to see n man
round the corner"
Bnt oven the attitude OF Withdrawing did not
prevent the exit Of Rcnshnw 70 his apartment