The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-23

| WIZ uSiiNereu Cne lecture was even drOller
than Denslow had expected to find him.
| Now, Hugh" said his aunt, after they
had been through the after cabin, ''Ill sit
here, and want you to go down into the
| forecastle where the sailors sleep. They tell
ME 1t Is worse than prison"
| In his present state Of mind Denslow did
not feel an interest in anything, hut after
lingering to be presented to friend who
had just come aboard and who volunteered
to stay with Mrs. Roslyn he went forward
and climbed down into the steerage, where
two or three siShtsccrs were already u.s.
sembled with the guide
1t was dismal hole, and Dcnslow felt
grimly that it was an appropriate spot in
which to meet Agnes under the circum-
stances. For here she had been standing
beside the man who had been with her in
the train, listening with an only half sup
pressed smile to the droIiing tones of the
le,turer."
WHY Mr.. Denslowr' she exclaimed,
putting out her hand. IL thought saw
you III the train yesterday, but was not
sure imagined you were still in Paris.
am ever so glad to see you. Dick" she
added, turning to her companion, permit
me to present Mr. Denslow-Mr. Chester
When did you get backS'
She WAS overwhelmingly charming, cor
dial, pretty, everything that goes to make
Il woman attractive The two years that
had interviewed since Denslow had seen her
last had served to crown with complete
ness the budding graces that had then only
begun to captivate him. He now felt
himself to be her slave. 4 recklessness
quite foreign to his nature took possession
of him. She seemed heartily glad to see
him. even if she had married somebody
else. He would show that he was Just as
glad. He smiled down into her eyes as
he answered her question:
II got back two days ago. wish now
that | had never gone"
He wondered if she understood what he
meant. He thought she must, for even by
the faint light that stole down the hatch
way he could see the color deepen slightly
in her cheeks. lie looked round to see
what impression his daring had made on
Mr.. Chester.
Didn't you have u pleasant timer"
Agnes looked down and began to draw
invisible figures OH the planking with the
tip OF her parasol us she put the question.
NO; can't honestly say that did. l
was thinking too much of other times.n
Denslow scarcely felt that it was him
self who was speaking. He was not the
sort of man who flirts, but here he was.
limiting rs broadly as he could to woman
on her bridal tour that he was inconsoa-
BILE because he had lost her. II they had
been very old friends it would have been
different. She would have laughed! at his
frankness and perhaps have told him that
he was not quick enough. AS it was she
changed the subject now and asked:
Are you going to remain here longs"
Where, in this black hole of placer"
he replied, willful1y misunderstanding her.
Yes, rs long rs its uglinesS is redeemed
by the sunshine of II certain presence"
This was positively going too far, he
told himself He wondered why Chester
did not come over and pitch him into the
hold just behind them. He did come back
now to say. Agnes, it is damp down here
You had better go up think"
He led the way out and the others fol-
lowed.
AT which hotel are you stayinc''-
Denslow was about to ndd Mrs Chester"
| but his lips refused to frame the words
He ended abruptly, hut Agnes turned and
told him with smiles
1.-The Windsor. nnd"-
BE careful, Agnes, there's step there. {"
| Chester interrupted her with this re-
mark, and her sentence remained unfin-
ished. They had reached the main cabin
| by this time, and Denslow's aunt beckoned
him to her side. With n lifting of his hat
| and Il good afternoon" lie parted from the
| Thought they never could be stirred. Car
ried away by an impulse he could neither
explain nor condone, he had allowed his
| admiration for her tn make itself too
manifest to he mistaken. nj she2 Well
she certainly had not shown that she dis
liked it,
Denslow's brain was in whrl when
they reached the hotel, and he had gone to
his room to make himself ready for tea
That he. sober sided Hugh, as his friends
had often called him, should he carrying
on Irritation with married woman. and
bride mt that, seemed To him an astound-
ing fact. He must cut himself loose in
some way. He would return to town the
next morning. although he had promised
to stay day or two longer. lie could
plead business contingency. Clearly
this was very unsafe place for him at
the present time.
He broke the news to Mrs Roslyn Mt the
tea table.
Il was afraid you would find it stupid
here. Hugh" was her comment
Stupid! If she only knew the real reason
for his going! was Denslow's reflection.
The next day was even more beautiful
than it's predecessor. Denslow decided to
walk to the station, in order to breathe in
as much of the ozone as possible before
getting back to town. AS he nearcd the
station he saw Agnes strolling up and
down the platform with Chester. She was
not in travelling dress. She had evidently
come down to see him Off 1t was strange
he should leave her if they were in their
honeymoon, Dcnslow thought. Perhaps,
though, it occurred to him, they had been
married for some time
She smiled swcctly when she saw him
coming, but he imagined cloud came
over her face when her eye fell on his va
lise, which he stepped forward to take from
the omnibus driver