The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-05-20

| looked at my much-Worn sulC.
For a moment my heart beat as if it
would leap from my body. Now, if
this were true (and ! knew had an
uncle Halstead Preston in Deyonshire
II was named for him), was the
peer Of any bankers daughter in
America.
"Keep quiet about this matter, will
your asked. Don't letit get into
the papers just yet, I have good rea-
sons for asking it. Above all don't
talk among your friends. l have
nothing to do but to start at once,
"You will let me help you?" he said.
@Not a cent / took bitter oath
that, so help me heaven, ] would new
borrow again 1t has nearly been my
ruin, once. l have enough to take
me there and back, steerage. II on
arriving there / can establish my
identity, money will be easy enough,
and | shall have incurred no obliga-
ton. I'll go just as am"
In less than three days had plenty
Of proof concerning my identity-my
mothers marriage certificate being
the most important paper; had en-
gagged my passage-steerage-in the
Persia and desiring to be known tc
NO one, enjoyed mp peculiar position
with the zest Of one superior to my
circumstances
Did my heart throb faster, when or
that beautiful night I saw the face o.
the girl / had love? Well, yes, for &
moment or two But / had also learn
ed to dispise her character too thor
oughly to give way to sentiment. 1
l had not quite conquered my infatu
alton, was master of myself.
She, over there, in her rose-coloret
reveries, speculating upon the posi-
bility Of winning a duke at the loves
in that marvellous London I, in tn,
steerage, if not companion of tn,
Mikes and Bridgets, at least in clos
proximity to them, though kindl.
cared for by my sailor friend
smiled as | wondered what he
thoughts could be just now. / wa
more than anxious to know her opir
, ion through some available means
and taking advantage Of my friend
permission, I haunted the upper decl
OF nights.
For some time I was disappointed
AT last one evening she came up 0
deck, a young lady following carryin
her shawl and pillow. They cam
,, quite near where I sat, my face to tf
: sea, watching the wonderful gold-an'
crimson CLEANS that mingled with tt
ripples and wavelets left in her wal
: by our good ship.
"Now, are you quite well fixed
asked the young lady, whom SUI
: posed was her companion,
Eyes, thanks. Sit down. I wish
; ask you something. Have you foul
: out about him, YETI"
"No, indeed. How can / talk OF
: Nobody knows him but you and l."
!. Strange that we should meet he
y of all things, and he in that horI
= place~
Nothing strange, if he is poo
. said the sweet, low voice Of the oth
. II hate poverty Besides" /
y tones fell, her words were inaudible
II 1 hope you will never be sorr
~ was the answer.
le "Sorryl" with scornful lauI
81 "He has certainly lost his beauty
u added, with q bitterness in her vo
d. that / had never heard before, and
Ve which only her pride spoke. zone
n never tell in these business trout
N how far dishonesty will lead a m
N Probably he is running away"
" Ipulled my hat lower over my ff
VI which was one burning fame, / 10
O. ed to turn upon her and upbraid
pe with her treachery, but l control
er myself.
"Never~ said the other, with emp
sis, Chow can you speak OF sucl
ea thingI | believe him to be the SOL
y. honor-a thorough gentleman!
looks it.n
ne Who could this girl beY | tried
steal glance at her, but could see
eu ly the outlines Of a very graceful
ure. l remembered then that Lily
IA once or twice spoken Of a cousin
ote such way as led me to think h
rly dependent upon her bounty.
d.; must be she. And how grateful l
ws for her sweet, heartfelt defense of
as l wondered if I should see her ag
. Night after night waited patie
in the moonlight, until at lsCst |
'eu up looking for her. She did come
V night, however, with an elderly
my tleman whom did not kn ow. /
in my old place in the steerage. S
Vu' of the other passengers were aro
'e lounging about, leaning over the