Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-06-17
Steerage and Cabin.

the cabin. Not that | was not as much
astonished to see her, rs, possibly, she
was Ia sec me. had no idea that She
was in the Persia, thaugh | knew 1t
WAS settled some time before that the
Dufaurs were going / Europe.
1t was glorious n.ooullght evening
the third night out. How well | ie-
member it The tirst mate WAS II good
fliend of mine. lie had known me in
my cailow days of Spcn6ing aud pleas
ure, for had gone as cabin passenger
more than once. | was indebted 10
him for the neat arm chair in which |
posed, Nightly, TO enjoy my cigar and
make mental apoStrophies to The moon.
Now and then / could 60 on the pass
enger- deck at night, through his cour-
tesy; and as | was not yet seedy, though
my clothes were far from new. | fancy
did no discredlt to the aristocratic
loungers, who never noticed me, as, 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
said
oh, mercy y and than moment af-
ter Don't let's stay here, Lu.'
1 looked up just as the beautiful,
proud face was turned, profile toward
me.
Gracious heavens = 1 said under my
breath. Lilly Dufour (! the bankers
daughter
did not see her companion, and be-
fore | could move or speak, if l had
been so minded. both ladies had gone.
Ismiled to myself, though my face
burned and my ears tingled. Only a
few months ago and l had been her
partner in a german given at one of the
most alistocrati: homes in New York.
Her beauty impressed me the ac-
ouaintance ripened into love. She had
accepted me, and l was the happiest
man in the universe. Then great
misfortune occurred, involving me in
the disgrace of the head of the firm.
Innocent though was, l had to under
90 many searching inquiries before the
true verdict was made public. Strip
ped of money, my good name under
cloud, for time, at least, l looked FOR
sympathy from my lovely fiancee, and
I was astonished beyond measure at
the GOODNESS of her reception, the al
most indifference with which she lis
tened to my defence. And then again,
she declined to receive me, and wrnte
me cold little note in which she in-
formed me, in a beautiful Italian hand,
that our engagement was at an end. l
was absolutely petrified with aStonish-
ment. How often she had talked of
love in a cottage ! How eloquently
had she declared that, failing fortune
or falling 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. | tried
20 see her, but was always repulsed. [
wrote, but received no reply. haunt
ed her walks, her drives. She never
looked at me.
Desperate and dishearted, cared
not what became of me. For weeks L
moved, ate, and worked like an auto
maton. 1 was at my worst when note
came from a young lawyer, formerly
my chum, and good fellow to boot J.:
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 ? I scarcely cared to
obey the summons. That evening
Fred stopped me Oil the street.
why didn't you come p he asked.
'Of course you got my note ? There's
! millions in it j
millions in what p interrogated.
Pounds, shillings and pence. hap
peDed oD an advertisement IN an Eng
llsh paper yesterday. I'ye heard you
say your family name was Preston !;
| that there was some GOODNESS between
your mother and yourEnglish relations.
Now here is a certain lIalsted Preston,
Esq, who has just died at the age of
seventy-two, and he leaves well, E.
nough and plenty 10 the son of his Sis
ter, who married Thomas DeLong, in
America. Of course he must be your
uncle, aud they are searching for the
heir. So you see yOu are wanted
| | looked az my much worn suit. For
a moment my heart beat as if it would
leap from my body. Now, if this we're
true and I knew had an uncle Hal
sted Preston in Devonshre-I was
named for him, | was the peer of any
hanker's daughter in America.
Keep quiet about this matter, will
you p I asked. Don't let it get in the
papers just yet. 1 have good reaso ms
| for ock;nr n hova oil don't talk II