Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-09-08

iently worse again, and, being unable to
stand the sight and sound OF his writh-
ing and groaning, she fed forward; and,
rejecting on this strange and awkward
meeting, went down to her own berth,
where, with lucid intervals, she remt ined
helpless and half stupid for the next
three days. On the fourth day. however,
she reappeared on deck, quite recov cred
and with an excellent appetite. She had
her breakfast, and then went and sat for
ward in as quiet place ss shc could ind.
Suddenly she was astonished by the
appearance Of splendid official bearing q
book. At first, from the quantity of gold
lace with which his uniform was adorned,
Augusta took him to be the captain but
it presently transpircd that he was only
the chief steward.
'.Pleass, miss" he said, touching his
hat and holding out the book In his hand
toward her, 'the captain sends his COM
pliments and wants to know if you ere
the young lady who wrote this. /"
Augusta glanced ct the work II WIS
q copy of Terminals Vow" Then she ro-
piled that she was the writer Of it, and
the steward vanished.
Later in the morning came another sur
prise. The gorgeous official again ap-
peared. touched his cap. and said that the
captain desired him to say that orders had
been given to have her things moved to a
cabin further aft. At first Augusta de-
INJURED to this, not from any love of the
lady's maid. but because she had truly
British objection to being ordered about
Captains orders. miss. said the man.
touching his cap again. and she yielded
Nor had she any cause to regret doing
SO: for, to her huge delight. sho found
herself moved into charming deck cabin
on the starboard side of the vessel, some
little way abaft the engine room 1t was
evidently an officers cabin, for there.
over the head of the bed, was the picture
of the young lady he adored, and also
some neatly fitted shelves of books, rack
of telescopes. and other seamanlike con.
trivances.
"Am to have this cabin to spyselfY"
asked Augusta of the steward
Yes. miss; those are the captains
orders 1t is Mr. Jones cabin Mr..
Jones is the second officer; but he has
turned In with Mr. Thomas, the first
officer. and given up the cabin to you"
81 am sure it is very kind of MIR
Jones, murmured Augusta. not knowing
what to make of this turn of fortune.
But surprises were not to end there A
few minutes afterward. just as she was
leaving the cabin. a gentleman in uniform
came up, in whom she recognized the
captain. He was accompanied by pretty,
fair haired woman. very becomingly
dressed.
Excuse me; Miss Smithers. ! believer"
he said, with bow.
Yes"
81 am Capt. Alton. hope you like
your new cabin Let Me Introduce you
to Lady Holmhurst, wife of Lord Holm
hurst. the New Zealand governor. you
know. Lady Holmhurst. this is Miss
Smithers. whose book you were talking
so much about"
"Ohl | am delighted to make your
acquaintance. Miss Smithers." said the
great lady in manner that evidently
was not assumed. capt. Alton has
promised that shall sit next to you at
dinner, and then We can have good talk
don't know when | have been SO much
delighted with anything as ! was with
your book have read 1t three times;
what do you think Of that for busy
womanY
Il think there is some mistake" said
Augusta, hurriedly and with slight
blush. Il am = second class passenger
on board this ship. and therefore cannot
have the pleasure of sitting next to Lady
Holmhurst.
'0h, that is all right. Miss Smithers,"
said the captain. with jolly laugh.
Nf.rro II IL
ienial."
'When we find genius for once in our
lives we are not going to lose the oppor-
tunity of sitting at its feet. added Lady
Holmhurst, with little movement to-
ward her which was neither courtesy nor
bow. but rather happy combination of
both The compliment was, Augusta
felt, sincere, however much 1t exaggerated
the measure of her poor capacities. and,
putting other things aside, was, coming
rs it did from one woman to another, pc
culiarly graceful and surprising She
blushed and bowed. scarcely knowing
what to say. when suddenly Mr.. Nelson's
harsh tones, pitched just now in re-
spectful key. broke upon her ear. Mr..
Meeson was addressing no less person
than Lord Holmhurst. G. c. NJ. G. Lord
was a stout. short, dark little
man. with a somewhat pompous manner
and a kindly face.
Il was repeating. my lord" said the
harsh voice of Mr.. Meeson. that the
principle of hereditary peerage is the
grandest principle our country has yet
developed. 1t gives us something to look
to. In one generation We make
the money; in the next we take the title
which the money buys Look at your
lordship Your lordship Is now in proud
position, but, as have understood. your
lordship's father was trader like me-"
"Huml-well, not exactly, Mr. Meeson,"
broke in Lord Holmhurst. Dear me, /
wonder who that exceedingly nice look
ing girl Lady Holmhurst is talking to
can beY"
Now. your lordship. to put a case"
went on the remorseless Meeson, who.
like most people of his stamp. had an al
most superstitious veneration for the
Il have made a great deal of
money, es do not mind telling your lord
ship. What is there to prevent my sue
cessor-supposing l have successor
from taking advantage of that money,
and rising on it to similar position to
that SO worthily occupied by your lord
shipf"
Exactly. Mr.. Meeson. A most excel
lent idea for your successor. Excuse me,
but see Lady Holmhurst beckoning to
me-" And ne fed precipitately, still fol-
lowed by Mr.. Meeson-
"Jchn, my dear. said Lady Holmhurst,
II want to introduce you to Miss Smith
Miss Smithers whom we have all
been talking about and whose book you
have been reading. Miss Smithers. my
husband"
Lord Holmhurst bowed most politely,
and was proceeding to tell Augusta, in
very charming language. how delighted
he was to make her acquaintance. when
Mr. Meeson arrived on the scene and per-
ceiyed Augusta for the first time Quite