The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-08-12
STEERAGE AND CABIN,

40 III tno sSccf1So one was III tie
cabin. Not that was not as much as-
tonlshed to see her, az, possibly, she was
to see me. had no idea that she was
in the Persia, though knew it was set
tied some time before that the Dufours
were going to Europe.
1t was a glorious moonlight evening
the third night out. How well remeln-
Der it ! The first mate was good friend of
mine He had known me in my callow
days of spending and pleasure, for had
gone as cabin passenger more than once
was indebted to him for the neat arm
chair in which l posed, nightly, to enjoy
my cigar and make mental apostrophes
to the moon. Now and then could 90
on the passenger-deck at night, through
his courtesy; and as | was not yet seedy,
though my clothes were far from new,
fancy l did no discredt to the aristocratic
loungers who never noticed me, az, at his
leisure, | was always In company with
Alvord, the mate.
Musing as usual, | sat on the lower
deck, my hat thrown back, my gaze in
tent on her majesty, the moon, when |
heard voice that sounded familiar. 1t
eaid:
"Oh, mercy" and then moment af-
ter, "Don't let's stay here, Lu."
looked up just as the beautiful, proud
face was turned, profile towards me.
"Gracious heavens ~ | said, under
my breath. Lilly Dufour! the bankers
daughter :"
did not see her companion, and be-
fore could move or speak, if had been
80 minded, both ladies had gone
l smiled to myself, though my face
burned and my ears tingled. Only few
months ago and l had been her partner
in German given in one of the most
aristocratic homes in New York Her
beauty impressed me the acquaintance RI
pened into love- She had accepted me,
and | was the happiest man in the uni
verse. Then great misfortune occurred,
involving me in the disgrace as the head
of the firm. Innocent though was, l
had to undergo many searching inquiries
before the true verdict was made public.
Stripped of money, my good name under
cloud, for time, at least, l looked for
sympathy from my lovely fance, and was
astonished beyond measure at the cool
ness Of her reception, the almost indiffer
fense. And when, again, she declined to
receive me, and wrote me a cool little
note in which she informed me, in beau
tiful Italian hand, that our engagement
was at an end, was absolutely petri6ed
with amazement. How often she had
talked of love in a cottage how elo-
quently declared that failing fortune or
failing health, and even honor, her
heart would be true to itself and me her
love the shield and the reward. could
not believe it possible. Itried to see her,
but was always repulsed. / wrote, but
received no reply. | haunted her walks,
her drives. She never looked at me-
Desperate and disheartened, l cared
not what became of me- For weeks l
moved, ate, worked like an automaton.
was at my worst when a note came from
a young lawyer, formerly my chum, and
a good fellow to boot:
DEAR HAL-There is splendid news for you.
Come down TO the Office as soon as you can.
Yours, FRED.
What news was there that mattered
anything to me? l scarcely cared to
obey the summons. That evening Fred
stopped me on the street.
"Why didn't you come? ?" he asked.
OF course you got my note There's
millions in it p
Millions in what ?" interrogated.
Pounds, shillings and pence. / hap
pened on an advertisement in an English
paper yesterday. Pve heard you say
your family name was Preston that there
was some GOODNESS between your mother
and your English relations. Now here is
a certain Halsted Preston, Esq, who has
just died at the age of 72, and he leaves
well, enough and plenty to the son of
his sister, who married Thomas DeLong,
in America. Of course he must be your
uncle, and they are searching for the heir.
So you are wanted"
looked at my much-worn suit. For
moment my heart beat as if it would leap
from my body. Now, if this were true
land / knew had an uncle Halsted Pres
ton in Devonshire-I was named for him),
l was the peer of any bankers daughter
in America.
"Keep quiet about this matter, will
your" 1 asked. "Don't let it get in the
papers just yet have good reasons for
asking it. Above all don't talk among
your friends. have nothing to do but
to start at once"
"You will let me help you p he said.
"Not a cent. / took bitter oath
that, 80 help me heaven, l would never
borrow again. 1t has nearly been my
ruin once. l have enough to take me
there and back, steerage. IT on arriving
there | can establish my identity, money
will be easy enough, and shall have in
CURED no obligation. I'll 60 just as am"
In less than three days l had plenty of
proof concerning my identity-my moth
er's marriage certificate being the most
important paper; had engaged my pas
sage-steerage-in the Persia; and desir-
ing to be known TO no one, enjoyed my
peculiar position with zest of one supe-
rior to circumstances.
Did my heart throb faster, when on
that beautiful night saw the face Of the
girl had lovedp Well, yes, for q mo-
ment or two. But / had also learned to
despise her character too thoroughly to
give way to sentiment. II | had not
quite conquered my infatuation, was