Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-27
CHAPTER Y.
OK BOARD THE EHryA.

Young Mil .r had a most eventful walk
down to the b Rrbor. He could not see
ward ahead Of Tim. and only arrived after
being nearly run over several times, which,
however, even with his spectacles, was
pretty frequent occurrence in his absent
fits, and walking into several lamp-pOsts
ana people. However. what did he care?
Except for a few seconds delay these pro-
ceedlugs caused i i'm, they were matters of
utter Indifference 20 him. And until the
moment when he found himself on board
the Khiva at last, Young Miller was only
conscious of q vague impotence and almost
irritation.
There were a great many people on deck
il seemed to Young 1lller. Perhaps some
Of them were surprls ed at the slouching,
fair young man. who looked at one after
another 50 closely and eagerly with frOwn-
inc hrows, puckered in the attempt to see.
And il was Hiss Lester who found young
Miller after all.
where are you going TO, Fred 2" was
her greeting, as she laid her hand on his
arm. and Young Miller turned round, his
kindly, foolish face beaming with JOY.
Miss Lester was q short, extremely self
possessed little person of five or six and
twenty. She was rather pretty, though her
features were sharp and her blue eyes not
very expressive and there was an amount
of energy about her which always over
powered young Miller and filed him with
admiration Before ne had recovered the
shock of really seeing her at last. and while
he was still speeches. with delight, she
had carried him off TO deserted corner Of
the ship.
Young Miller simply looked at her and
did not try 10 say anything.
Fred" Miss Lester said with n little
embarrassment III her manner which was
not neutral to her, Il have got something
TO tell you which will vex you, l am
afraid"
"Ohl Edith, you are more lovely than
ever young Miller said, drawing a deep
breath
" But don't you hear what I am saying
10 YOU! | have something to toll YOU that
will yex you." repeated Miss Lester, flush
ing ever so little.
I" was listening to your voice, not your
words" he said reyerently; nothing can
veX me now"
Cant you think in the least what I
meanl" she said impatiently: can't you
imagine what would yeX you?"
IL suppose-perhaps you have forgotten
the furniture?" he suggested; " but you
needn't think that or anything else would
yex me-darling.n He said the last word
with hesitation and blushing like girl.
Nonsense" SAID Miss Lester with some
acerbity.
- am very STUPID, Know, stlu young
Miller humbly: but come to my sister
now and you shall tell me afterward."
Nov. Fred. you must listen to me-"
said Miss Lester rcsolutely. You know
YOU have often asked me if | was sure [
cared for you; don't you remember?"
Perhaps a vague, sudden fear crossed
Young Mliller's mind at her words, but if so
IL was Only momentary. The very great
ness. the utter overwhelmingness, of the
blow which the loss of Edith would be to
him made it seem 50 impossible, 80 IN
credible.
81 have wondered how you could care
for fellow like me" he said, looking at
her. you who are SO beautiful and
clever"
"Wen, Fred, did think cared for you,
and besides-there are so many OF us, and
we are oil so poor-and-you must not DO
angry with me-"
"I-don't understand" said young Mil
Ter. with bewilderment.
Miss Lester looked Gt HIM uneasily.
TRY and understand, Fred she said,
land remember you are man and must
be brave. / want to ask you toto break
off our engagement, because IL care Tor
somebody else"