The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-08-12
TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA, AUGUST H. 1886. NEW Sc

of winning duke at the lowest in that
marvellous London; /, in the steerage, If
not companion of the Mikes and
Bridgets, at least in close proximity to
them, though kindly cared for by my
sailor friend.
/ smiled as / wondered what her
thoughts could be just nows l was more
than anxious to know her opinion through
some available means, and taking dvan-
tage of my friends permission, haunted
the upper deck, of nights.
For some time was disappointed. At
last one evening she came upon deck. a
young lady following, carrying her shawl
and a pillow. They came quite near
where l sat, my face to the sea, watching
the wonderful gold-and-crimson CLEANS
that mingled with the rippIes and wave
lets left in her wake by our good ship.
"Now, are you quite well fixed P" asked
the young lady, whom l supposed was her
companion.
Yes, thanks. Sit down. wish to
ask you something. Have you found out
about him yet?' !
Nobody knows him but you and l."
"Strange that we should meet here of
all things, and he in that horrid place %
" Nothing strange, if he is poor" said
the sweet, low voice of the other.
81 hate poverty! besides -" her
tones fell, her words were inaudible.
81 hope you will never be sorry" was
the answer
" "Sorry!" with scornful laugh. "He
has certainly lost his beauty" she added,
with bitterness in her voice that / had
never heard before, and in which only her
pride spoke. "One can never tell in
these business troubles how far dishonesty
will lead man. Probably he is running
away w
| pulled my hat over my face, which
was one burning flame. / longed to turn
upon her and upbraid her with her treach-
cry, but | controlled myself.
"Never." said the other, with empha-
sis. "How can you speak of such a
thing. believe him to be the soul of
honor-a thorough gentleman He looks
it,"
6" Who could this girl be? l tried to
steal glance at her, but could see only
the outlines of very graceful figure. /
remembered then that Lily had once or
twice spoken of cousin in such a way as
led me to think her dependent upon her
bounty. This must be she. And how
grateful | was for her sweet, heartfelt de-
fence of me wondered if | should see
her again.
Night after night l waited patiently in
the moonlight, until at last | gave up
looking for her. She did come one night,
however, with an elderly gentleman whom
| did not know. | was in my old place in
the steerage. Some of the other passen-
gers were around, lounging about, lean
ing over the rails, but l had chosen my
seat where l could see without being
seen.
saw her face. 1t was as had hoped,
lovely, youthful face, and | could hear
every infection of her clear, low voice.
"Quite nice people, l suppose, go as
steerage passengers sometimes" / heard
her say.
"Oh, yes, even gentlemen in reduced
circumstances. Indeed, once had rich
friend-you might call him crank-who
went for the fun of the thing he said,
to see life in a new phase believe he
liked it BEST" and the old gentleman
laughed.
GA girl with such a face" / said to
myself, "must be worth winning; by no
means as beautiful as my former divinity,
but more lovely in every way" Lily
was taller, more queenly, but this girl
with the sweet voice and glorious, star
like eyes was, in every way but the mere
matter of fortune, her Cousins superior.
OF that felt assured, and was quite will
ing her image should haunt me.
A few weeks had passed, and | stood
before the gates of fine mansion, now
my own estate-in a Devonshre village,
and looked up the long avenue bordered
by noble oaks. All that my uncle had
died possessed of was left to me, money
and lands. l certainly did feel the pride
of possession in the first flush of proprie-
torship-I held my head erect, l was
once more even with the world. The
country about was exceptionally beauti-
full Rose hedges bordered the village
lane-here and there a thrifty farm lay
smiling in the sunshine dotted
the hillsides. Everywhere the land spoke
of care and prosperity. The house was
well preserved and filled with solid
though quaint furniture. There were hot
houses and all the inventions of this utili-
tartan age needed for farming on large
scale, on the grounds. 1 saw the houses
of nv tenants. / was lord of the soil.
Once more in London, my thoughts
turned back to my own country and some
unsettled business there. There was yet
work to do, mistakes to correct, enemies
to meet, friends to reward.
Among my acquaintances in the me-
tropolis was a young German baron, who
had married a lovely English girl, and
with whom had passed many happy
hours.
"You must come here tonight" said
the young baroness, on one day; 81 ex-
pect some Americans whom, perhaps, you
know-the Dufours. The young lady is
exquisitely beautiful there are two
cousins, think"
al did know Dufour, the banker, OF
New York." said quietly, though my
pulses futtered with new thrill of glad
ness.
"Oh, yes-it must be the same family.
You will comeP''
"On one condition." l said.
"And what is that ?"
"That you will not speak of me till l
come. AS I have another engagement, l
shall be here late in the evening""
"What! may not even tell the story
of your good fortune"