The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-08-20

1
me on such very friendly terms with Miss
Stancliffe. But you would not be surprised
| II ylu knew that she lived under my roof for
more than twelve years Of her life-from
four to sixteen-and that during all that
time she honestly believed me 10 be her
father. A strange story, sir. can see that
is In your mind; but it is a true story also
So now you understand how it is that if
Daisy has an uncle in Mr.. Mauleverer, she
has father in me"
Ny first feeling ON hearing him make this
statement was one of incredulity. / had
heard her SO often speak with loving graft
tude of her uncle that felt certain that If
she had really regarded this new conner as
her father, she would have spoken of him
also / remembered, too the trouble that
was manifest on her face when she had tod
me on the previous day of the approaching
arrival of her friends 1t was inconceivable,
1 thought that she would have felt this
trouble il she had really entertained a
daughters love for Branksome. But, how
ever this might be, there was no doubt now
that she was unreservedly un1er the sway
of his influence. She responded to his
speech with look OF gratitude and affec-
ton, and stood quite passive while his hand
still rested on her arm.
The situation was becoming embarrassing.
Branksome's statement about Daisy. con-
tented myself with feeble inquiry us 10
whether they We're going 10 JON The COM
pany on the promenade.
ave are going aboard the yacht for luu-
cheon," replied the doctor "Miss Stancliffe
has.never been aboard the boat yet, and she
is naturally anxious to see it. BY the way,
Daisy, why should we not ask NJ. Fenton
to favor us with his companyt daresly he
has nothing better to do this morning. and if
he is interested in yachting he will certainly
be pleased with the Golden Hawk"
There is no need to say with what joyous
eagerness l responded to the invita- ion.
What puzzled me, however, was the way in
which it was received by Daisy She knit
her brows for a moment as though trying 10
solve some knotty problem in her own mind.
And. then her face grew clear again, and
without a word she went forward by the
side of Branksome.
We found that the gig of the yacht was
waiting for us at the landing stage. Mr..
Mauleverer and his two companions had
gone on board in one OF the ordinary fishing
boats, leaving the small gig, with its cush-
toned seats and neatly dressed crew, for
Daisy's accommodation.
There was a pleasant novelty for both of
us in the situation as we sat there on either
side of Branksome, who steered the boat
The oars of the four men who were rowing
rose and fell with the precision Of clockwork,
and the light little craft was quickly urged
over the placid waters of the bay towards
the spot where the stately vessel lay in the
full blaz, of the sunshine The cloud had
passed from Daisy's face now. She was
smiling as brightly as she had been won't to
do during those happy days when we sat
together beside the saloon; but could net
avoid a dim consciousness of tho fact that
most of her smiles were given to Branksome
rather than to me-
| Never had L seen a more beautiful spec
tacle of its kind than that which witnessed
when l stepped upon the white deck of the
yacht. The vessel was OF great size-prob-
ably of not less than six hundred tons di =
placement She had auxiliary steam power
but the long sweep of her spars, the fine
rake of her three masts, showed that it was
to her sail power that she chiefly trusted.
Everything on board was in that exquisite
state of cleanliness which is never seen save
on board OF n man-of-war or q frst-class
yacht. The decks were as white as a we'll
scrubbed kitchen table; the brass of tho bolt
pins, the pinnacle, the two carronade; for
ward shone in the sunshine like FURNISHED
gold. So did the gliding on the molding of
the deck houses. Some luxQious lounging
chairs and soft rugs were scattered about in
the stern of the vessel; while smart quar-
termaster, in proper yacht uniform, kept
watch in the ships waist Everything was
in keeping with the wealth of its owner.
Daisy gave cry of genuine delight when
she surveyed the deck and gaz,d up at the
towering masts and rigging, which rose TO a
giddy height above her. She seemed 20 put
off the weight of years in this atmosphere,
and ran, or rather danced along the deck
like child, till she came to the door of the
after house. Then she stopped, raised her
hands in wonder, and called me to her side
The interior OF this beautiful little room
was indeed "a sight to see" The walls were
paneled in oil leather of peculiar shade OF
orange, with rich designs in dead gold EN-
bossed upon it. Here and there was tiny
niche in which an exquisite bronze statuette
was placed and now and again the fiat sur
face of the panels was broken by an old
Venetian mirror or a silver lamp of antiqu
design. Curtains of some material of deli
cate texture hung in graceful folds by the
side of the windows, the gla.s OF which had
q subdued tint that harmonized with the
color of the walls. The furniture OF the
room was in keeping with the decorations.
There We're cabinets, richly carved, and
couches covered with oriental cmbroideries.
CQillrS. UdDleS, III IS anu SbONe-th bd'o eNA-
dence of cultivated taste and q boundless
wealth
"Did you ever SEQ anything so 10 'ely'"
cried Daisy, with all young girls delight
in the beauty before her. "Who will use
this room"
Branksome laughed heartily.
"My DEAR" he said, "every room on board
is yours-this included. But your bouioir
is down below, and, as n matter of fact, be-
lieve the intention of the Duke of Cairngorm
was to make this his smoking room"
"Oh, how shameful' cried tho girl.
"Surely less beautiful room than this might
do for people who want to smoke"
He looked at me with broad smile upon
his pleasant countenance at this ebullition OF
feminine feeling. / thought now that had
wronged him altogether in pronouncing
against his mouth All his features were In
harmony, and 1 inwardly decided that he
was one of the most fascinating men / had
ever met with.
At that moment Mr. Maueverer came on
! deck He looked slightly SURPRISED at see