The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-06-27
'No.''

for that. Are yon feeling seedy, Major 7"
every"
"ycu should he careful Of YOURSELF" The
voice, II not the words, limited at the Majors
gray hairs. "You shouldn't have slept with
the port hole open last night. lave you
caught cold Z"
eyes"
"Thats bad. You really must take more
care OF yourself. Shall You be on deck
presently Z"
'No.'
$50 bad AS that9 Two or three people
have been iDquitipg after you"
"Whof" asked the Major, with Ill con-
cealed eagerness.
"well. let me see now" answered the ma
licious Sparkle thoughtfully. 1.-THE second
oficer-be asked so did Blake and, yes,
so did tombstone"
The Major groaned inwardly, and turning
his face to the wall, or rather to the ships
side, he spoke no more.
Mr.. Sparkle returned on deck, and found
Mrs. Pennington where he had left her.
Taking seat by her side, he looked grave.
"Pm afraid the Majors In bad way" he
said.
"What's the matter with him - asked the
widow hastily.
~ can scarcely say. You see, he's very
reckless-slept with his port hole open last
night, aud In consequence has caught 4 So
we're cold. Very dangerous thing, q cold I
didn't see him, bnt va had long conversa-
ton through the door,"
"What did he say 2" asked Mrs. Fleming
ton.
"well, / should have said that / hal the
conversation. He said nothing but yea
once or twice, and 'no' several times. Do
you know, I fear the Major has not very
even temper"
"I have not remarked IT," said Mrs. Flsm.
ington. "But remember nov that MAI.
Dymple connded TO me ona day that the
only being able to ruffls his temper is a
bore and do you know, Mr.. Sparkle, Iquite
svmpathizs with him." Wheraupon Mrs.
Flamington returned 10 her book.
The day passed without the Major
leaving his cabin. Some luncheon aud din
ner we're brought him by the steward, but
sent away barely touched. On the following
morning, as he still did not appear, the
doctor was sent 10 him. The visit lasted for
few minutes only. When Mrs. Pennington
mot the doctor on deck afterward she anx-
ionsly inquired after the patient.
els the Major better, doctor :"
"rhere is no change In his condition"
els II q dangerous illnessf"
ooh, no not at at all. Il Is an inconve.
nient aud unpleasant attack. Int IL Is neither
dangerous nor, fortunately, contagious"
"Th.n Maj. olympic will be on deck again
soon Z"
al fear no'," replied the doctor. "1n
fact, I don't think We will sss much Of him
for the rest Of the voyage"
Mrs. bennington looked very disappointed
as Mai. Dympls subject to these at
tacks 7" asked her aunt, who had inst joined
them.
81 don't think he has ever had one be
fore," replied the doctor.
"And Is hs snff-ringf 2" asked tho widow
tendsrly.
"Aoutsly; but n It physically. His suffer
ings are Of thu mind" And to avoid further
qusstioning the doctor beat a retreat.
"This sudden inli.position Of the Major
Il very singular" remarked the old lady.
s'Perhaps ought to tell You, my dear, that
Maj. olympic conA,isd to me his Intention of
proposing TO you. advised him not to he
TOO hasty, to wait until You hal seen more
Of each other. Hu has evidently not spoken
to you on the subject, or you wOuli have
told me-"
"No, he has not" replied Mrs. Fleming
ton. with heightened color.
| 81 think you like him." said the old lady
who was at hsart match maker.
| 81 like him very much" answered her
niece sim ply.
Mrs. Pennington spent very dill day.
Sparkle devoted himself to her, but failed to
enliven her. His wittisst sallies fell dis
mslly Hat his most ludicrous absurditiss
we're received with sadness. In the even
ing, however, he was more successful. As
they sat on the deck togather at about half
past ten Mr.. Sparkle joked and Mrs. Fiem
| ington laughed. Suddenly they saw q tall
aud unmistakabis figure wrapped In long
Ovsrcoat. Fine widow invOlnutariiy ross to
her feet.
SIS that you, Maj. Dympls 2"
There was no reply. The figure quickly
disappeared.
Crest, rest, pertnrbed spiriti" quoted
Sparkle.
Mrs. Flemington retired TO her cabin in
| anger and modification, having mads up her
mind that the Majors illness was pretsnce,
and that his offset was to avoid her.
An hoar later the Major again appeared on
deck and looked cautiously around. He
could hear the confinement OF his cabin no
longer. He wanted fresh air aud exercise.
| As thu saloon deck was now deserted, he
paced quickly up and down. His thoughts
were very bitter. He had heard Mrs. Elem.
lngton laughing Laughing gayly, while she
knew that he was III. liz used to enjoy her
msrriment, but the silvery peals he had jus,
heard stabbed him to the soul, for they we're
accustomed by the wltticisms of his rival
and. torturing thought they were possibly
at his expense.
Pausing IN his walk tho Major leaned over
the stern, and gaz.i at the agitated water
b-nsath. One little slip-a quiet vault ovei
tho tafrrail, aud In very few minutes h.
wonld be miles astern, floating alone on the
great wilderness Of water, to sink at last
Il Al. ~ ri. ~.
woman, to lonely resting place In the cold
hungry deep. Or, less postio thought, h.
might bs caught In the arms Of the propsl
ier, and crushed out OF existence In its rs
volvings. But In either Case this effect wonld
bs this same: Mrs. Harrington would b'
doomed TO life long rsmorse.
Satisfied with the pleasant fancy, til,
Major resumed his walk, aud Ia few mo
msnts hs was, with singular inconsistency
mentally consigning his dsadiisst enemy
VIZ. Sparkle. to the happy fate he hal
skstohed out for himself
The Major was not the only rssilsss son
aboard that night. He suddenly discovered
that there was man pacing the srcont
saloon deck, whom, IN his prsocon patton, h,
had not hitherto observed. OucasiOnall.
they met in their walk at the railing which
divided the two decks, aud this Major bs
Game seized with longing TO address hi
fellow watcher. MIST there not be-
bond Of sympathy between them, that the.
two, Of all tho passengers, shOnld seek tina
quiet hour for solitude aud rehsotioni On
hero at that moment would have Had upo
tho approach Of the Captain, Mrs. Fleming
ton, Mr.. Sparkle, or any Of his friends, bu
hs would have gladly ohattsd with the cook
the baker, or any one he had not met before
His forty slight hours' confinement made hil
long for compAnionship. aud 30 he was draw
toward this stranger Of tina second saloon
Accordingly, he hszardsd 'It's = bsautifu
night" when they next met at the railing.
The stranger responded with alaority. II
was very small and very attsnusted mau
with pale, lean face, straight black hair
> AN aggressive nose, aud bright dark eye
which suggested restless, sanguins spir
too big for the weak little body.
at Is indeed beautiful night, sir. TIL
man who elects TO stew IN hot, stnffy cAbi
on such night Is wanting In taste an
poetic feeling"
Without pausing to oonsiier TO what 81
tent no msrited this indirect mplimsnt, II
Major accepted IT gracously.
~ quite agree with you, SIR" he sal.