The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-01-21
A WINTERS CRUISE,
BY j. d. MILLIGAN.

81 have never regretted selling the
Romance to Wilbur"
'Yet you had to give him pretty
stiff figure to get her in your possession
again, replied little Dick Freeman.
81 admit it, but l had good reasons
for selling her. You see it was this
way, ! owned the yacht five years, and
between summer and winter cruising
and getting ready for both during the
interim, / was so constantly employed
that l had little or no time for society
duties.
"Just sol" said Dicky, shaking his
head and looking wise.
snow am very fond of ladies' So
ciety and have always stood great deal
OF bantering because of my penchant,
when heaven knows was simply en-
deavoring to make myself agreeable.
Again, was taken to task for beiu .
welded to my yacht, but that l couldn
help, because, with the very hest
intentions in life l would commence a
summers cruise with firm resolutions to
put the yacht out of commission in the
fall, and set to work to win wife by
the most sedulous application and in
dustry-"
"You're the only man I ever met who
had the courage to admit that looking
for wife was hard work; you deserve a
medal, " said Dicl1y admiringly.
''Yet l couldn't do it, for something
or somebody was sure to turn up that
would compromise me, and the winter S
cruise had to be made so l sold the
yacht to Wilbur"
"Well! what followedl"
"The natural consequence of being
invited to join him in winters cruise
among the West India Islands, and my
acceptance of that invitation"
"That was consistency with ven
geance," said Jack.
"Think so2 listenl As host felt OBJ
liged to pay as much attention to one
guest as to another, but when l became
guest that obligation ceased"
"Ah! see; you could exercise your
penchant for flirting with one lady with
out feeling that you had slighted an.
"
"Will you belay your interpretations
for few moments Where was II OH
l accepted Wilburs invitation, and
agreed to meet him at st. Augustine. /
kept my promise, and in boarding the
yacht found Wilbur and his bride (the
latter acting as chaperone), Lille and
Violet Meserve, and Mr.. Crayon, the
artist, who was engaged to Lille Mes
erve.
My traps were no sooner on board
than the anchor was aweigh, sails hoist
ted and the yachts head pointed sea-
ward. AS had always directed the
Romance's movements in and out of port
felt chagrin at being a witness of Will
bur's complucent yet dignifed authority,
and heaved a pretty big sigh.
"'That was a wicked sigh, Mr.. Dean,
said low and musical voice beside me,
turned to see who the speaker was, and
beheld Miss Violet Meserve.
" "'Wasn't it2 yet have an excellent
reason for its atrociousness. suppose
you know that / owned the "Romance"
only few weeks ago
"The young lady nodded her head af-
firmatively.
"'Welll that sigh meant jealousy,
rank jealousy
Z" Il knew intuitively that It was some
thing far, and away beyond an ordinary
sigh; of whom are you jealous-Mr.
Wilbur9'
81 nodded my head affirmatively."
q Poor fellow we must try and make
it up to you"
DO pray like nothing better than
being patronized.'
"The young lady looked at me curl
ously as if to fathom my meaning; then
mischievous CLEAN appeared in her eyes
as she said, There | have unwittingly
displease1 you, and yet l thought 1 was
saying something eonsoling. Surely
"'One moment please. really meant
what l said, l want to be patronized.
"She laughed merrily and unfeignedly
for few seconds and then said I'm sure
you do. / was told to beware of you that
you were a dangerous man. l can well
believe itp Then the witch looked archy
into my face and repeated her last words,
Il can well believe it,!
"Now if that wasn't a challenge for a
flirting match, what was itl To tell the
truth | was surprised into silence, for l
knew that Miss Violet Meserve was not
eirt, she was too generous, too nice, too
gentle for any such work as that; besides,
she believed that was nothing but a mqle
'''~' ""d inteL''"@ 70 amuse myself with
-asua. Is