Wichita eagle., 1888-09-08

she-sne amt so very wei; she's worse /;
anything"
Miss Rosamond noted his confused manner
with surprise, and wondered also why tie
gay Mr.. Talcott Lorne stared SO soberly into
his plate and made no remark whatever for
such long time.
'sWhat IS the matter with herr she asked
further.
"What ails hera Why-oh, shes got the
rheumatism dreadful bad, and-and-well. !
don't know but what she's got almost ever
complaint women folks is liable to have"
The old man put down his knife and fork
and wiped his forehead, as though Is felt
warm
do you think the ship rolls as much as it
did early this morningr' interrupted Nr.
Lorne.
But Miss Rosanond was not to be diverted
from her charitable designs. Couldn't go
in and see herr she persisted II might
be able to do something for her; should
like to-"
Mr.. Talcott Lorne seemed unable to swal-
low his mouthful of food, and the unhappy
old captain looked desperate. His wits did
Eot desert him, however.
We'll, you know" he stammered, s'wen,
rayly, you're very kind, but Polly, you
know-well, don't think she'd really like it
She amt SO fond of company when she's
sick; sorter cross, you know"
This was enough for Miss Roeamond The
invalid Polly was discussed no further, and
her better half heaved long internal signs Of
relief
Lorne's opportunities for the exercise Of
his talent for pleasing (which usually ulti
mated itself in whispered nothings and num-
berless small attentions were during that
day without limit, but, although he was
man OF imagination and e1erted himself with
a singleness Of purpose quite admirable, Miss
Eosamond did not always appear TO be
pleased When the day was over he looked
back upon it with sense of failure that was
annoying; it struck him that somehow his
talents had gone under cloud-for the time.
Miss Kosamond had certainly failed to be
impressed, and beneath her exquisite tact he
detected what seemed to be an unwaver-
ing desire to keep him at distance Even
when he had prudently retreated from more
delicate topics and talked of persons, she had
disagreed with him; when he rema rked that
his friend Lee was one OF those dreamy
literary fellows" who never came TO any
thing, she had rejoined with some warmth
that, in her opinion, he came to a great deal
as it was. After due reflection, many other
men would have decided that it was g mis-
take to consider Miss Frail already won; not
SO Mr.. Lorne, he was merely annoyed.
And even this annoyance was dissipated
in the sunlight of friendly smile from Miss
Rosamond next morning. As they took their
seats in the little boat, few words uttered
by a laundering sailor led to the dis
closure of the little stratagem which
had been resorted to in order to keep the
young lady in ignorance of her real position,
and after the first moment of disagreeable
surprise Miss Rosamond turned to Lorne
with sweetly, genuinely grateful eyes.
1T was very kind of you and Mr.. Barns to
do all that" she said.
After this his feeling of annoyance gave
place to quiet confidence and he was en-
boldened to make delicate proposition,
which he appeared to think the situation de-
manded: Why shouldn't they say they were
engaged when they reached lands To him
the idea seemed capital Inconvenience
could hardly arise from it, as neither of them
would be at Eastport more than two weeks
longer, and it would effectually silence those
gossiping people who they had reason TO fear.
He put it very delicately, and certainly not
coIored family and showed that she thought
him wanting in tact Without even an an
swer she adroitly changed the subject, and
Lorne thought she was offended because he
lad proposed a sham and not a real engage
ment.
But when they rode in among the breakers,
and Miss Rosamond saw the staring crowd
Of people who awaited them Oh :the beach,
CHI Iy,a-. ~, ker
heart failed her. II accept your PROPOSE
tion," she said hurriedly, turning upon
Lorne her frightened eyes.
Then the boat was run in and the unhappy
young lady knew the agony of being stared
at by hundred wildly curious people. Mrs.
Frail and her sister, Mrs. Potts, were in the
crowd, both Of them half frantic, scarcely
able to restrain themselves from hysterical
exhibitions At the last moment the eager
ness of the former TO receive her lost daugh-
ter back to her arms was such that she
stepped forward heedlessly and allowed an
inaowing wave TO deluge her ankles.
"Oh. Rosamond, how perfectly awful"
cried Mrs. Potts, in stage whisper, when
they had the young lady between them, and
all the people were straining TO see and hear
Now was the dramatic moment for Mr.
Lorre. But it doesn't matter So much as it
might, Mrs. Potts, es long Us We are engaged
TO each other"
Whether they understood him or not does
not appear; the elderly women merely
treated the ready young man with looks Of
angry suspicion, and hurriedly bore Miss
Roeanond of between them.
Miss Fral Is said to have declared after
ward that the arrangement was the acme of
absludity, and that her position the sup
posed fancee of MIR Talcott Lorne was NOR
tifying in the extreme. In her own words,
it made her feel silly She was ANXIOUS TO
quit Passport at once and free herself, and it
was only through the efforts OF her match
making aunt, Mrs. Potts, that she was pre-
vailed on to remain until the appointed
time.
at Eastport, for Lorne WIS more assiduous in
his attentions than ever, leaving hardly any
opportunities at all for Lee, who seemed to
take a quiet. friendly interest in the young
lady himself. The latter knew all about the
sham engagement. for Lorne was in the habit
Of talking very freely in his presence-d-
ways with an air Of great confidence
Ever since that hghtship business she has
been mine merely for the asking" be told
Lee. confidentiallv, one day II know the
signs too well to be MISTAKEN ana is
weren't that I believe Tn really in love this
time it would take away all her charn-for
me. l usually want Z girl desperately until
she is mine, then I v,-,- sooa begin 70 cool
of, as Il were " ats my history in
about every case
Il hope you don't expect me TO admire it"