San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-19
A MAIDEN FAIR.
BY CHARLES GIBBON.

Annie laughed at the sight of him, and
the captain felt disposed to bid him put
some claes on" as quick as he could. But
recognising in all this the height of aristo-
cratic fashion, he held his tongue and mar
yelled. Captain Duncan would have been
a great tOady if opportunity had offered:
for he had vast reverence for The ''nObeeli-
ty," and deep respect for anything which
even remotely represented it, So, with all
his absurd airs, "Jeems" Cargill impressed
the old man as being something out of the
cOmmOn-iust as poor old Bell Cargill was
impressed, and consequently permitted her
money to flow at mis- command.
He saluted his hosts, but they were too
much occupied to give him particular atten-
ton, and lie had grace enough to recognize
that fact. lie applied himself to the ar
rangement of his berth, fitting up in it all
the newest cOntrivances for securing COM
fort at sea. Having done this he went on
deck.
The boat was just casting off. He looked
around; Captain Duncan WIS doing every
thing and Bob Ross was not there!
Are you going to do without your pilot"
he said to the sEppr as he approached
him.
81 hae nae time to speak to OnybOdy the
nOo," was the sharp response, as Captain
Duncan hurried to his post on the hurricane
deck.
Cargill quietly followed him, because
Annie was there.
I'VE shall have pleasant day" he said,
with as much warmth as if there had been
something very particular in the remark.
ut looks pleasant enough at present"
she answered, smiling at the weather pro-
phet; "but 1t is west wind, and those
clouds yOnder may bring us such rain as
will spoil the incest Clothes"
He observed the smile and was uncOn-
scious of the playful allusion to his gor-
geous raiment.
"Ah, you are weather-wise, Miss Murray,
and ought not to have dared to say a word
on the subject. i ought to have asked you
to tell me how it was to be. But we may be
happy in the most unpleasant weather when
we are with those we like best in the
world"
what is the day to be, father" she said,
turning her head away imperviOus to this
very broad compliment.
You'll ma be flashed wi heavy seas, Ony
way" answered the captain, busy minding
his own business and unconscious of what
was going on. Cargill did feel that slight
movement of her head and inattentiOn to
his words; for like all small natures he was
content so long as attention was paid to
him, but spiteful always, and wrathful
sometimes, when he was treated with the
slightest neglect.
However, she will come rOund,n was his
thought, and the opportunity to bring her
round was his now. The father was in his
favor, and that bugbear, Bob Ross, was not
on board. He congratulated himself most
cordially on that circumstance. He did not
care by what lucky accident it had been
brought about. There was the fact, and
that was enough for him. 1t was something
more than that the absence of Ross left him
free to WOO Annie; there had been GER
tain wild thoughts in his head which
made him specially glad that the man was
away.
Then he had particular piece of gratifi-
cation. Annie went down to the deck and
he accompanied her. They walked up and
down, and she listened TO his empty chatter
about the grand sights and grand people OF
London and Paris He tried to make her
understand what delights lay before the wo-
man who should be taken to these places
by man who loved her and knew his way
about"
She said little in reply, but she listened,
and he felt assured that he was making
rapid progress in her good graces. She halt
ed occasionally and looked out 10 sea or to-
wards the shore scanning the waters with
eager eyes; he did not observe their express
sion, and did not guess what she was look
ing for. And at such times she would say
Eyes" or mo" that's fine" in a low voice
which filled him with the joy of triumph.
But in the midst of his triumph, the Mer-
maid suddenly slackened speed, and then
the engine stopped altogether. Annie stood
still, looking across the water at smack
which was sailing towards them.
rs there anything the matter?' inquired
Cargill in surprise.
''Oh, no, nothing the matter; only there's
Mr.. Ross coming"
Cargill looked as if the shadow of the
blacklist cloud which followed them had
fallen on his face.
Then there came a shout from the distance
of Mermaid ahoyp And presently the
boat glded up beside the steamer. A little
figure climbed up her side and Bob Ross
stood on the deck. A wave of his hand to
his comrades below to signify ''all right"
the little boat dropped asteTn, and the pad
dies Of the Mermaid move again. Then
he turned TO shake hands with Annie, but
did not stay to speak more than few words
of greeting TO her. He fastened to the cap
tain.