The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-29

4. with Harry on the lower deck, and, I'M
der pledge OF secrecy, he told her of the
Joke which he began to realize was more
on Tom than on any one else. So Aga
tina went forward, at Harry suggestion,
10 see what was going on, and also de-
termined to make a good impression on
Tom, whom she knew by reputation.
Glow do you do, Agathal" said Kate,
affably. won't YOU sit here with us
awhilel This is the coolest place on the
boat, and the most pleasant, too. We
have such a charming companion; look
at him, Agatha-isn't he handsomel He
is little sunbrowncd, but that because
be travels; he hunts and fishes and flirts,
and leads n very happy life. He has
money, too. invested beyond the reach Of
failure, and he IS Of stalwart, manly
build. and cyes--Milly, there is another
ship. there somewhere; / can't see it yet,
but will lool. for it-and, as was say
Ing. he looks self reliant and dignilied,
and kissabe and adorable
why, Kate, are you crazy?' said
Agatha.
Not that am aware Of, Miss
Agatha" replied Kate, lofily.
But, Mily." continued the new
conner chow dare she talk so in his
presence
"Oh. Kate means no HARM" said
NIlly. blandly. s"Ifo is gcntlemanly
fellow. anu DOESN'T care what We say,
and lie is sunburnel aad dignihed; Kate
was right
is he friend or relative Of yours
asked Agatha.
Relative? 20, said Kate "Friend'
do not know. am his friend, ana his
name is Tom. Whether he is my friend
or not, remains to be seen. D."
well, young ladies'" said Agatha,
"your conduct is. to say the least mex
plicable. | certainly should grieyc to
burt the feelings of this gentleman or of
any person. Perhaps you may not be
giving ofIense or doing anything uncon-
yentional. | 10 not wish to misjudge
vou-there is some mystery about it that
cannot fathom. But | must 90 below
with mamma. y
"Well," said Kate, after Agatha left,
that was Il curious position for her to
take: as though we were possibly doing
aaything wrong-the idea Her whole
saoech is unlike her; there is, as she
says, some mystery mere.
Indeed there must bc." replied 1iiily.
"Shc have feeling She has none for
ANYBODY. Something in her voice re-
minds me Of the day when she Told the
madame how she had been inveigled into
that excursion, of which she was the
promoter. "
eyes. remember just how she
looked. said Kat. II tell you there IS
treaclery here. Let Is go to the cabin
for while. Some way feel uneasy
When they had gone. Tom rose, walked
TO the side Of Tie boat and seriously coz
templa.ed jumping overheard. His
checks burned at the position III which
bis folly Lad placed him, aEd be was so
arr at his friends IS t. have given
them lit.lc rr1co had they appeared just
then. Il had been awkward. terribly
awkward end distressing Why hadn't
he let when frs thcy began to talkl
lie lad placed one Of the brightest,
sweetest, most beautiful girls he had ever
seen in q fake position which would al
vays inordfy her, make her hate hun.
and make him hate himself lie had
been dishonc-abie spy, On eavesdrOp-
re~; lie had listened ~ private c0uyersa-
ton. Thoroughly veEed and chagrircd,
he went below, and meeting his friends,
said. very sterniy:
BOYS, through your amazing idea Of
a JOKE have disgracel iayse-i, Unless
You Go just as ! ash you. and help me
oat. never want to sec or speak to
either cf you again.
Tho BOYS, who had heard something
of the facts through Agatha, laughed till
the tears streamed down their faces
laughed III fact, until Tom became so
crragcd th1. they dared Tot irritate him
further. So ;Ecy readily promised u as
.ist him in any wcy he night desire.
Tom remained below. sul,en and reti-
cent, until they reached RocEledge land
ing. There he ard his friends left the
boat, and when once on the wharf he
saw TO his disray tia. party includ-
ing the three young ladies'. had also
endcJ, AID that the steamer was al
ready under way. lie must keep up the
farce for a little longer, at least until the
next boat back Reaching the hotel
and there was but one--he took
the landlord into lis confidence and
evoked the following ingenious plan of
action: He was NJ John Baird, who had
como in over tho mountains 70 meet his
twin brother, llr. Tom Bard, who had
come I'd or the lc1t. To this notable
scheme his two friends heartily asssnted;
but cnce away from him, they fairly
reared When they reflected that Agatha
vas IT, the secret, ard would probably
disclose it ct just The wrong time. In
pursuance Of the plan, however, sir.
Bonnet, the landlord, begged Of Kate
AID 1l.lly that lie might introduce Mr..
john Baird, who just came III from the
Rocskill Valley.
When Baird was introduced although
he Lad changed MS clothes and appear
ancc as far as possible, Hates stately
chauffeur" ard lliily's whitening scorn
almost fro=e his blood.
Il believe we had the pleasure Of see
ing Mr. Baird on the boat this after