The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-03-09

"While you are working yourself into an
eloquent temper, Paul, you might say all
you have to say about-the plan. Do tell
me. It may be our last chance. Pm all
a-tremble."
"rm too polite to interrupt you"
Nonsense, Paul. If you tease me shall
60 and talk to the Captain"
"Well, listen then" in q halt whisper.
"for you need to get every detail. But
Clarice, please don't seem to be SO in earn
est. Laugh, so people will think we're
Chanting"
"Peoples What peoplei' and she laughed
gaily:. :.
Chicago"
The breakfast bell rang in the cabin and
sent out to them its most discordant call.
An expletive, how impatient the Captain
could only surmise, escaped the young man.
~ told you our time was short, Clarice
See me soon, darling. Don't keep me watt
| ing all day. And snub that old Lord Methu-
selah every time he speaks to you"
"Dear, Paull-I mean dear me, Paul.
that bell is sure to wake Aunt Emily. /
must CO." Then louder, for the benefit OF
the public, ''Why, the fog has reached usr'
and in q hasty, tender aside, "Be careful not
| to take cold"
"Prudent little grandmother !" murmured
Paul Drexel, as she went around the side Of
| the boat and was Just about to disappear.
| THE old adobe catacomb''
The latter half of his ejaculation referred
to quite another person.
| A small, gray-whiskered, austerely with
cred gentleman had emerged from the cabin
| just in time to encounter Clarice, whom he
made q gallant effort to detain.
She eluded him, however. and passed on
out Of sight while he advanced.
He came leisurely, putting final polish
upon bis fnger-nails with silk handker-
chief. Then he looked aloft at the weather,
with an eye-glass glued to such cold,
staring orb, that it might itself have been
the congealing cause Of the bank OF mist
that was slowly enveloping them.
Drexel's lazily-athletic frame grew sud-
denly rigid with q desire to clutch and
drown this insignificant creature. That he
should dare to aspire to the notice Of q
beautiful woman like Clarice was enough in
itself to merit speedy and ignomiuious ex-
tinction. He deserved drowning, if that
were not too honorable.
1t would be good nervous relish to pick
him up shake the little pinch Of breath out
Of his narrow chest, close couple of steady
fingers round his aristocratic windpipe
and hear the small final gurgle that would
ensue.
So much malevolence at the mere sight Of
this bank president.
Something of q fog"
Eyes sir" from the Captain.
"a fair run, however Our journey has
been very favorable. Good morning, sir"
to Drexel.
A freezing nod.
"Yes sir, a tip-top run. Right time of
year for that"-the Captain was more
deferential than he had been to the young
people-"thanl zee SIR" he added, accepting
| q Havana from the case courteously ex-
tended to him by Mr.. Cumberland.
~ don't smoke" was Drexers surly fib
to q like proffer.
breakfast is all ready, Mr.. Cumber-
land, }" said the Captain. "Better eat before
| you smoke"
And the two went in together.
Later In the forenoon rugs were brought
out and spread upon the desk, shawls and
travelling blankets were adjusted and ar
ranged, and q party of ladies was ensconced
where they could be carefully protected and
yet have the benefit of the fresh air. Mrs.
| Winterfield, her mature daughter, Rosa
mond, and her maynard niece, Clarice.
Mr.. Cumberland was in polite attendance,
and his assiduous devotion to their comfort
received gracious recognition from the two
elder ladies' but won little favor from Clar
| ice She was restless in their company,
nervous and restrained.
They had not been long seated before she
expressed a desire to 60 for q few minutes
| upon the hurricane deck. She wanted to
escape them, and, besides, she had caught q
shadowy perspective Of PsuI's hat round the
corner Of the pilot house.
| Mrs. Winterfeld demurred, Miss Rosa
mond was horrifed. but Mr. Cumberland
greeted the proposition with considerable
indulgence, offering to 60 with her, IL Mrs.
| Winterfield did not object.
He sped up the ladder like q cat and
reached down feeble claw to steady
| Clarice's ascent.
Rosamond and her mother were left to
themselves, two such pale personalities that
where they were could literally be called
solitude.
| The Captain was out for an after-brealxfast
turn, and showed his goodwill by pointing
out the occasionally visible shore, for the
fog lifted at intervals, giving them q CLEAN
of sun, and then settled down again dense
and cheerless.
His sociability not meeting with much re-
Spouse, he began pattering along his path,
as II it were business and he must. leaving
them to themselves.
"Rosamond, think that young man is
sufficiently rebuked. You say he has not
been near Clarice this mornings"
"lt took heroic treatment, mamma, to
make him understand himself de frop.
Clarice herself has SO little sense"
81 suppose she thinks him handsome. She
does MT seem to know Mr.. Cumberland
Is MT . man to be trified with. Such an e.
tsblishmsnt IS his DOES Mt 60 begging every
day."