Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-09-25

tain, who seemed inclined 10 exert to
fullest extent his prerogatiys OF guardian
Ia failing not uncommon with gentle.
men OF his persuasion.
One bright afternoon, when thsy were
within seven hundred miles OF Now York,
Miss Gray came to o sudden conclusion
that the state OF affairs was unendurah1o.
She would have h cut with this young
man, Let the consequences be what they
miahf. Perhaps-she found herself
shuddering slightly at the Thought lev.
moments conversation with him might
dispel her illnsion and prove him nm
worthy OF the time she was wasting ~
thinking OF him. She paced the deck
slowly, all alone. The passengers were
all down at luncheon, while she, who had
no appetite, remained there. firm in the
resolution to 60 through with her sell-
imposed task.
On a sudden impulse she neglected 70
turn at the limit Of the wheel-honse, hut
continued her walk round to the rear or
ii, and, arriving at tho railing overlook.
ing the stern, whom should she nnd
leaning down over the water in his ha-
bitual graceful attitude. but the object OF
her quest-the young man of the superb
figure and dropping, golden mustache.
Now those who have made voyage IN
modern ocean steamship are quite Ia
miliar with the advantages OF the narrow
space between the sternwheal railing
and the rear Of the wheel house tor pur.
poses Of tetes-a-tete. Two persons en-
scouced there-there is room tor two,
and no more-are SO secure from Obser.
walton as though they were buried in q
coral cave at tho bottom OF thu ocean.
This, then, is the situation the young PEG.
pie found themselves In.
Observing Miss Gray, the young man
drew himself up proudly. allowed als
features to assume tho brick-wau ex-
preston the young lady already knew SO
we'll. He bowed stifdy and turned aside
to leave. ..u.
Miss Gray stretched out white, jew
eled hand and touched his arm. blushIng
| violently as shs d,d SO. The young man
tried to look naughty, but failed his
face relaxed into sunny smile.
Il wish to say to you, sir, began Miss
Gray, in a strange, forced Voice, her
\ pretty face working little, ''that I am
very sorry" c.s es
| Into her auditors eyes there shot
| swift light of pleasure. BE stretched on
| his hands and took both of hers, unre-
sisting, into them "You shall not say q
word to me- in that strain, he cried, with
| an air Of brisk authority; you were i'll
| and weak, and could know nothing Of me
Besides, did take liberty; ought to
| have asked your permission first, ought
| not?n And he smiled down at her in I
fashion that made Miss Gray, who a few
| weeks ago would have scoffed at the bare
| suggestion OF such a thing, feel quit
| helpless, but strangely conDented. Sh'
| did not withdraw her hands, and eoult
not look into his face again. after tina
first smile. Somehow she felt that hi!
head was bending down closer to hers
she felt his breath, quick and warm, upol
her cheek: she tried to draw back, bu
! coald not -.
| a woman's wild cry, rush OF hurTyinl
| feet, sudden reversal Of the eng inc
| that caused the screw to forsake the wa
ter and beat the air in a fashion to ia
| the great ship from end to end-then Ms
Gray, in a sort of trance, heard the youn;
man at her side utter a shout, felt hi
hands dragged from the hysterical clas
of her own, and saw him disappear head
| long over the railing into the boilin
cauldron Of foam far away beneath bel
! AS though in nightmare she saw