River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-09-26

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continued the better Miss Gray liked the
young man. She fell to studying him, as
he paced the decks or lOunged on the
cabin sofas with an unread book in his
listless fingers-the fingers that were al
WAYS so beautifully white, and tipped, to
the brink OF effeminacy, with such won
dcrfully polished nails. Once she was
guilty OF gazing long and earnestly al
b i'm through the windows OF the music
room as he sat stunning idly at the
piano. He could not play a note. but,
strangely enough, the discOrds that he
struck seemed far from unharmonious to
the young lady, herself an accomplished
musician. But, then, she was looking at
his hair. and marveling iuwardly at the
tricks the sunshine played with il. After
that her eyes were always upon him,
except at such times she knew her
glauces would risk being intercepted.
Once he caught her-caught her fairly and
unequivocally. He was leaning over the
railing, auo turned suddenly to find her
gaze full upe him from a distance of a
short six feet. Was it prank of the i'm
agiuation or did fash of pleasure CLEAN
into his eyes. as she hastily turned aside
with her cheeks, neck and brow all soar
Jet with mOrtifcationS No. she was sure
she hated him passiOnately. In ten she
told herself that-if it would not seem 50
supremacy ridicUlous-she believed she
loved him; yes, actually loved this vel
low haired Adonis whom she had snubbed
for doing her kindness. and who had
ignored her existence ever since as a con-
sequence.
The days slipped by very mOnoto-
nously. The voyage was nearly over, and
the other passengers came and went,
smoked and ate. aud slept aud talked in
the same dreary round of ocean life.
Once or twice she was GU the point of
speaking 20 her tyraut, as she now
mentally termed him, but always paused
before she had quite completed the sac
ritce 10 her pride. She grew to abhOr
the very sight Of the trusty old cap
tain. who seemed inclined to exert to the
fullest extent his prerOgative OF guardian
IA failing not uncommon with gentle-
men Of his persuasion.
One bright afternoon, when they were
within seven hundred miles of New York,
Miss Gray came u sudden conclusion
that the state Of affairs was uncomfortable.
She would have it mt with this young
man let the consequence be what they
mj-ht. Perhaps-she found herself
shudieriug slightly at the thought-a few
moments conversation with him might
dispel her Illusion and prove him un-
worthy Of the time she was wasting in
thinking OF him. She paced the deck
slowly. all alone. The passengers were
all down at luncheon. while she, who had
H0 appetite, remained there. firm in the
resolution To- go through with her self
imposed task.
On a sudden impulse she neglected to
turn at the limit of the wheel-house, but
continued her walk round to the rear OF
i, and arriving at the railing overlook
ing tie stern, whom should she find
leaning down over the water in his ha-
bitual graceful attitude, but the object OF
her quest-the young mau of the superb
figure and dropping. golden mustache.
Now those who have made voyage in
a modern ocean steamship are quite ia
miliar with the advantages of tae narrow
space between the sternwheel railing
and the rear Of the wheel-house for pur-
poses Of tetrs-a-tete. Two persons en-
sconced there-thsre Is room for two,
aud no more-3re 50 secure from Obser-
walton as though they were buried in a
coral cave at the bottom OF the ocean.
This, then, Is the situation the young peo-
pie found themselves in.
Observing Miss Gray, the young man
drew himself up proudly, allowed his
features 10 assume the brick-wall ex-
precision the youug lady already knew so
well. lie bowed stiffiy and turned aside
to leave.
Miss Gray stretched out a white, Jew
elad hand and touched his arm. blushing
violently as she dId so. The young man
tried to look naughty, but failed. His
face relaxed into a sunny smile.
Il wish to say to you, sir" began Miss
GRAY. in a strange, forced voice, her
pretty face working little, 'that | am
very sorry"
Into her auditors eyes there shot
swift light Of pleasure. He stretched out
his hands aud took both OF hers. uure-
sisting, into them. You shall not say a
word to me in that strain" he cried, with
az air Of brisk authority; you were III
aud weak ond could know nothing of me.
Besides. | did take liberty; 7 ought to
have asked your permission first. ought
uots" And De smiled down at her in a
fashion that made Miss Gray, who a few
weeks ago would have scoffed at the bare
suggestion Of such thing. feel quite
helpless bat strangely coutented. She
did not withdraw her hands. aud could
not look into his face again. after that
first smile. Somehow she felt that his
head was bending down closer TO hers;
she felt his breath, quick and warm, upon
her cheek: she tried TO draw back, but
could not -.
A wOman's wild cry. a rush Of hurrying
feet, a sudden reversal Of the engines
that caused the screw to fOrsake the wa
ter and beat the air IN a fashion To jar
the great ship from end 10 end-then Mss
Gray, in a sort of trance, heard the young
man at her side utter a shout, felt his
hands dragged from the hysterical clasp
OF her own. aud saw him disappear head
long over the railing into the boiling
cauldron Of foam far away beneath her.
As though IN a nightmare she saw
golden head appear above the Charming
mass of water, and. a few rods from il,
another head that OF a little child
that she recognized instantly as one
that had been playing at her
feet Al hour before. And. a. she
felt her elf surrounded by a cluster OF
excited men ard screaming women. she
noticed with what awful rapidity both
heads seemed To lie flying. flying. flying
from where she stood. Then came dark
ness-black. utter darkness, in the midst
of which she was borne away to her
state-roor1. in merciful ignorance Of the
rest.
Tie stoat. motherly old stewardess told
her every thing next morning. Told her
how the swiftly launched li.e-b0at had
reached the r soaer just ia time to snatch
the little one from his ou,stretchsd arms
anu then drag him. fainting. on board: