The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-05
Mamie Floyd's Mistake.


Mamie Floyd's Mistake.
Ha, Miss Floyd, nothing wrong
with you, eli? You reallysc a mag
niticent example toyoursex-no, no.
l won't sit down; must have my con-
stitutional you know. Ihope your
mother is not ill?"
go, Iguess she's feclingrather bad /.
She's been down stairs quite u long
time; but she's got u dozen lemons,
anyhow, so She'll do," was Miss
Mamie G. Floyd's most unfilial re-
ply.
Old DIR. Stewart totdled away, and
Miss Mamie G. Floyd nestled back
more comfortably on her deck chair
pcrched her pretty little head costly
on the pink hucd cushion, without
which she never Travelled, and then
gave herself up to an interesting sto-
ry which possessed the delight OF
making her "creep like mad" She
was almost alone in her glory, for
the Griseldn had only steamed out
of New York Bay the evening before,
and such ladies as were on board
were too nervous or to i'll to face Il
decidedly rough morning on deck.
Miss Mamie had come to the end of
her book, and, when at last she clos
cd the volume, and had recovered
from the last creep, she found herself
sole occupant of the lee side, with 1.
heavy rain soaking the awning, the
long row ofempty deck chairs for her
only companions.
"Wcll, this is lively, anyhow" she
muscd, dismally. "lIowdo suppose
l am going to pass the next six
days? Even ma is better Off than
am; she has the lemons and the un-
certainty, while r.
Miss Mamie stlangled u yawn,
and then all of IL sudden, she was
very wide awake. Away at the end
of the deck she deserted two figures,
one slender and graceful, despite the
huge macintosh that covered it, the
other IL very tall, very broad-should-
dered man, who was distinctly fnmil,
lar to Miss Mamie, and at sight OF
whom she purscd up her pretty lips
and emitted a soft whistle.
".Jack Dudley, by all that's queer,
she remarked to herself. "Igucss ma
will have n fit when she finds this
out. Up to his old games, Isupposc.
Looks like it,"
But Mt that moment the female
figure vanished and Mr.. Dudley
came striding along the wet deck,
his collar well turned up and his
hands deep in his pockets.
"A1iss Floyd! You here? L
What a surprise"'
"Quitc Il long time since We met.
isn't it, Mr.. Dudley? No, don't take
off your c:lp; You'll get your head
wet, and that will serve no purpose,
anyllow!"
Jack Dudley laughed and shook
himself like u big Newfoundland dog.
Gone wet inch more or less, what
does it NATTER" he said as lie sat
down on the empty chair next her
and looked at her with much admir-
alton expressed in his dark blneeyes
"but it's IL very different thing tor
you. Are you wise to stay out here,
Miss Floyd? Your rug is soaked
through"
81 like it. was the reply;and in the
face of this there was nothing more
to lie said. Jack Dudley having
learned 10y experience that whatever
Miss Floyd desired to do, that she
did.
There was considerable silence aft
or this. broken att last by her.
"Wcll," she observed sharply,
"lnvc YOU nothing to say, Ja-Mr.
Dudley"
"Notlling Mt all, Ma-Afiss Floyd"
Miss Mamie prod,lel viciomsly at
her char with her dainty little feet.
"Who are you fooling around with
now" was her next question.
"Am | to understand by that that
you alludc to our former engage
mcnt for 'fooling rounds was the re-
ply given very mournfully. "lf so,
you very"
Miss Mamie laughed. "What an
actor you are, Jack, off the stage"
GLOW did you know | ha. ever
been on one?" lie asked, cngerly.
II saw you in Chicago II while
back, and | Just enjoyed myself, |
can tell yon! That was the first and
last time have seen or heard of
YOU since" and Miss Mamie fin
iSlItu bu uupttN.
a certain look of relief flashed in
to jack Dutlley's eyes; then it
changed to one of sadness and ad-
miration mingled.
"iou used to he kind to me once,
Mnmi'," lie murmurcd softly.
A bright flush covered Miss Floyd's
piquaint face; her brows contracted
II little and her lips frightened.
''DOn't t YOU think the less we dis
cuss the past the BETTER" she said:
and with that she sat upright and
began to unrurl her rug.
Il guess Ill go down awhile
now," she observed in her easiest
tones. "Will you please give me a.
hand here, Mr.. Dudley"'
The hint conveyed in her first
words was not lost on Jack Dudley,
and as lie carefully unwrapped her
and helped herto progress along the
slippery deck his manner was only
that OF the conventional stranger
who offers assistance to II fair dam
sci in need of help.
Miss Mamie G. Floyd found her
mother in the hands of the steward
ess, uttering loud cries of alarm as
the ship gave an occasional lurch,
but otherwise in robust health.
II guess won't spring Jack on
her just yet; she feels badly enough
as it is, after all l am quite able to
take care of myself, and know just