Western Kansas world., 1888-02-18
HER LOYALTY.
BY j. w. T.


puff of smoke and the little steamer
"Unicorn" was of.
On board were two passengers-tour-
lists, apparentIy-"bound for Trevor
Landing" the steward confdentially
told the 'tniggers" as he contemptr'
ously called the roust-abouts into
whose care the "Unicorn"was entrusted.
mighty fine people," he added, as
the Captain, hardened, weather-beater
old man, hardly distinguishable from
his roust-abouts in color, passed by.
The people" thus alluded to were
Mrs. Marston and her daughter-who
were answering an advertisement in q
New York paper for boarders. They
had written to A. Trevor in answer to
advertisement and were now almost at
their journeys end. Only twenty
mile trip up the Sunfower River.
"Only few miles up, men," said the
Captain of the little steamer. 1--WE
could easily see it only fur the skirt o
woods yonder across the bend.
The morning was soft and balmy. 1t
was the fresh May-time of the year.
The cypress trees along the river-banks
showed grim and naked through the
meager drapery of the gray hanging
moss and their own scant foliage; but
over the live oaks, clad in glittering,
silver LEAKAGE, and, amid the close un.
dergrowth, trailed the yellow jasmine
in the glory of full blossoming. The
air was full of the odor of bud and
bloom. The solitary waterfowl, from
his slumbrous reverie, was startled by
the shril whistle of the steamer, and
flew from his nest beside some pool OF
stagnant water. e..
To the young girl who stood on the
deck of the little vessel, the scene was
one of deep interest It was her first
experience of the far south. The flash
of the river in the sunshine, the almost
tropical variety of the flowers and creep
ing vines along the banks, the solemn
aspect of the moss-shrouded cypress,
the sweetness of the morning air, the
shrill call of the river birds, all served
to impress her with sense of delight
full novelty.
She was charming creature, with
her soft, round, little face, her piquant
expression, and her large deep brown
eyes.
Not far off sat a dignifed and staid
lady whom she occasionally addressed
as Mamma"
"Yeh can't fool dis niggah," said the
steward when he next made comment.
"Iknows 'em where I see 'em Dey's
from de norf. Mebbe dey's down heah
fur der health--or mebbe jist fur fun
ond tho s,1mrnar months
The steamer gave shril whistle as
it passed bend in the river and dis
closed Handing" on the right bank.
Mammal" exclaimed the young girl,
"see, he is waiting for us; and he is a
young man" And she was picture of
JOY and eagerness as the young mans
clear-cut features were more distin-
guishable.
"Dat gals puffect firt, I do spec" 1"
was the comment of the steward, as he
came forward to help the ladies with
their satchels.
There were two figures on the land
ing and one was Arthur Trevor; the
other his negro cart driver. The former
stepped down to the gangway and came
aboard the boat.
"You are just splendid looking fell
low, and no mistake, I" thought the girl,
as she surveyed Trevor with an ap-
preciative glance. "But you do dress
in barbarous fashion; and I wish your
hair was not quite so long. [ rather
like your brown face, and dropping
mustache; and your eyes are superb. T"
Trevor was isll, 1.-the young man
with royal be.atng, full at once of
ease grace and dignity.
He spoke to the Captain as he stepped
on deck and then lifted his hat to the
ladies with almost knightly chivalry,
but with a manner in which slight
Indication of embarrassment, was per-
ceptible..
81 trust you had no trouble in get
ting up safely" he said. "The trip is
rather tedious at this season of the year.
The late April showers, you know,
swell the river. As advised you"-
this with faint smile, ain response to
your letter. Mother and I live here
quite alone. We have no society in the
neighborhood no neighborhood, in
fact; but are thrown quite upon our
own resources I'm afraid you'll have
quite tiresome time of ito the
younger of the two-"unless, indeed,
You are fond of horseback riding and
boating. The majority of our Southern
ladies are, I believe; but I don't know
whether in the north
"Oh, I'm devoted to outdoor exer-
else. I adore the country. After those
stupid balls and receptions, and calls,
even Patagonia would be Paradise
She evinced decided enthusiasm, and
he was firm believer in it; but it was
such an enthusiasm as was not alto
rether calculated to arouse his own
He looked at her in a startled, half
embarrassed manner, and she noted the
look and saw that it ended in wonder
ment ct her strange, physical beauty.
She was satisfied.
aYou are giddy thing" he was
thinking, in his earnest fashion of
fhought II don't know much about
o11 7 khsnk