Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1888-12-12
CHAPTER IIr.

CHATTER III.
II Mr.. Rcnshaw indulged In any further
curiosity regarding the interior of the
Pontiac no did not make his active re-
searches manifest to Rosey. Nor, In spite
OK her fathers invitation, did he again
approach tho galley--a fnct which gave
her her FIRST vague impression In his favor.
He seemed also to avoid the various ad-
vances which Mr.. Mott appeared impcllcd
TO mako whenever they met In the ma
sage, but did 30 without seemingly avoid
Ing her, and marked his half con-
tcmptuous indifference to the elder Mott
by nm increase Of respect 10 the younr
girl. She would have liked 70 nsk MIN
something about ships, and WINS sure his
conversation would have been moro inter-
esting thnn that Of old, Capt Bower, to
whose cabin he had succeeded, who had
once told her a ship WINS tho devils hem
COOP" She would have liked also 20 cx-
plain To him that she WINS not In the habit
NJ wearing a purple bonnet hut her
thoughts were presently engrossed ny an
experience which interrupted tho cvon
tenor of her young life.
She had been, as she nftcrwnr,i rcmcm
bcrcd, impressed with q nervous rcstlcs.-
ness ono afternoon, which madc Il i,npos-
ftblc for her to perform her ordinary
household duties, or even TO indulge her
favoritc recreation OF reading or castle
building. She wandered over tho shin.
and, inpcllcd by tho same vague feeling
OF unrest, descended To the lower deck and
the forward bulkhcad where she had dis
covered tho open hatch. 1t had not been
again disturbed, nor was there any tra-e
OF furthor exploration. a little ashamed.
she knew not why. OF rcvis.ting the scene
OF Mr.. Eonshaw's researches, SHE was
turning back, when she noticed that the
door which communicated with dc F.-.
riercs' loft was partly open. The circum.
stance was 80 unusual that rhc stopped
before II In surprise. There was no sound
from within; it WINS the hour when It's
queer occupant was always absent; ba
must have forgotten tn lock the door or IL
had been unfastcncd by other hands.
After moment of hesitation sLc pushed
1t further open and stepped into the room.
by the dim light II two Portfolios sl,c
f, ec:..,h see that the floor was strcwn and
piled with tho cont, MS Of q broken bale
Of curlcd horse hair, Of wl.e!. :. few uh
wall. 4 heap of morocco skins. some
already cut I'm tho fnrm of chnir cushion
covers, and fcw cushions unfinished and
unstuffcd lay in the light Of the ports.
and gave the apartment tho appearance ef
cheap workshop. a rude instrument
for combing tho horschair, avis, buttons
and thread heaped ON small bench
showed that active work had been hut
recently interrupted. a cheap cnrthen
ware over anil bnsin on tho floor and n
pallet madc Of nm open bale of horse hnir.
on which ragged qHilt and blanket were
Hung, indicated TINT tho solitary worker
dwclt and slept beside his work.
The truth flashed upon the Young girls
active brain, quickcncd by scclusion and
fed by solitary books. She read with keen
Dyes the miserable secret OF her fathers
strange guest in the povcr'y stricken
walls, In the mute evidences Of mcnial
handicraft performed in loneliness and
privation, In this piteous adaptation of nm
! accident to sayo tho conscious shame of
premctlitatcd toll She knew now why he
had stammoringly refused To receive her
fnther's Offer 10 buy bnck the goods he
had given him; shc knew now how hardly
gained was the pittance that pt.id his rent
anu supported his childish vanity and
grotesquc pride. From peg In the corner
hung the familiar masquerade that hid
his povcrty-thc pearl gray trousers, tho
black frock coat, the tall shining hnt-in
hidcous contrast to the penury Of his sur
rotindinSs But II they were here, where
was he, and In what disguise had he es-
capped from his poverty a vaguc uncasi-
ness caused her To hesitate aud return to
tho open door. Sho had nearly reached
II when her eye fell on tho pallet which IL
partly Illuminated A singular rescm-
blnnce In tho ragged heap made her draw
closer. Tho faded quilt was n dressing
gown, and clutching It's folds 10y a white.
wasted hand.
The emigrant childhood Of Rose Mott
had been more than once Swallowed by
scalplng knives, aud she was acquainted
with death. Sho went fcariessly To the
couch, and found that the dressing gown
was only an chwrnpping Of tho cmacintee.
aud lifclcss body OF dc FcrrIcres. She did
not retreat or call for help, but examined
him closely. Ito was unconscious. hut
not pulsolees; lie had evidently been
strong enough to open the door for air or
succor, but had nftcrward fallen I'm NJ
oh the couch. She flew To her fathc-'s
locker and the galley fire, returned and
shut tho door behind her, md by the skill
ful use OF hot water and whisky soon hn,l
the satisfaction OF seeing faint color
take the plnce of ti,e fadcl rouge In tho
CHASTITY checks. She was STILL chatting HIS
hands when le slowly opened his eyes.
With start, ho made quick attcuipt 10
push aside her hands and rise. But she
gently restrained him.
'Eh--whatW ha stammcred. throwing
his facc back from hers with nm effort and
trying to turn II to tho wall.
"Iou have been III, sho said Quietly.
Drink this"
With his face still turned away be
lifted the cup n his chatterlng teeth.
When lao had drained il lac threw n trt1n.
bling glance around the room aud nj tho
door.
There's no one been here but myself -
she soid quickly. IL happened 60 sec tho
door open as ! passed. didn't think a
worth whiic TO call any ono"
Tho searching look he gave her turped
into an expression u relief, which. to her
Infinite uncasiness, again feebly llghtened
into ono Of antiquatcd gaIlautry. lie
iTcw tho dressing gown around him with
an air.
'Ahi 10 IL goddess, madomoiseIIo
hat has dciQncd 70 enter tho ecit ,,k,..