Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-29

uONuAuA N4Cus 4hU ~ A0N4 1900
colder and tbs horizon was full OF damp
mist. She pulled her cloak tightly
around her with one hand, and with the
other fingered restlessly the arm OF the
chair on which she sat. Mr.. Fletcher
looked annoyed; he moved his chair a
little closer TO hers and glanced ner-
vOusly at the small, well-gloved hand as
it rested for a moment on the chair arm
nearest TO him.
He had never been at a loss for words
before in her society, he must have
been conscious that he had done most
Of the talking during their acquaint-
ance, that on trivial topics he had
found 3 flow of conversation which had
amused her, aud that when he had
touched more serious subjects he had
secured her interest, or even drawn her
into argument. and yet he sat silent for
ten whole minutes looking at her. Miss
Lorania Luck grew impatient; she
could see them from whore she sat and
she let her book drop on her knees TO
watch. .
II believe they've quarreled, she said
TO herself, and then more loudly, "Mr.
Smith"
The fat little man who was pounding
the deck for the good of his health
paused and bowed.
Il shall be much obliged il you will
allow me to join you in your constitu-
tiOnal," said Miss Luck, and as she took
his arm and paced the deck with him
she confded TO him with characteristic
candor that she suffered from dyspep-
STA.
TOO much iced water" said Nh.
Smith, alphabetically. And haying
found a topic interesting TO both OF
them they fell TO discussing the COM
partive merits Of a British and an
American dietary.
keep this side Of the deck" said
Miss Luck; there's a perfect blizzard
the other side Of the smokestack."
ain the warm shelter to be found in
the neighborhood Of the funnel Miss
Luck fingered; in the more exposed
portions OF the deck she raced MIR.
Smith along till he "a almost out OF
breath.
"Nice comfortable place your friend
'Steely Eyes has chosen" she said to
the companion who was trOtting to keep
up with one Of her fastest spurts.
But Mr.. Smith did not know whom
she meant.
'Mr. Fletcher" she explained; she
has been sitting there all the afternoon
with Miss Hamilton"
But MI. Smith denied all acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Fletcher.
''But l have e e you speaking to him
twice" said Miss Luck; twice since we
came on board; once when you spoke
20 him on deck and held out your hand
and he turned his back on you, and
once after that, late one night when
you were talking together like old
friends in the SmokerOom-I looked In
as I walked by the door"
"Your bright eyes see everything,
Miss Luck" protested Mr.. Smith.
There are no flies on LOlie," said
Miss Luck, gracefully acknowledging
the compliment; but refusing to be put
off by it, she added, impatiently,
who is Mr.. Fletcher anyway"
II don't know" said Mr.. Smith, and
added, Il am afraid you are catching
cold
But it was ~incredulity, not catarrh,
which caused Miss Luck TO sniff, and
she made no further rejOinder.
The fog had thickened, the steam fog
horn was beginning to boom over their
heads with the groan Of a distracted
mammoth, but Miss Luck, holding Mr..
Smiths arm, continued to tramp the
deck. She was rewarded in time for
her patience, II MIR. Smith had the
right to Judge from the frightening
grip Of her fingers and the thrill Of ex-
citementl In her tone as she whispered:
Look as we go by this time; he is
holding her hand"
Mr. Smith was a bashful man and a
discreet one. To his honor be it said
he did not look. He tried, on the con-
trary, to restrain his companion from
going lear them where they sat.
They will not mind us" said Miss
Luck In a tone Of conviction. And she
was right to the extent that il was not
her presence which caused Mr.. Fetch
er 10 ~straighten himself in his chair,
while a slight cloud Of impotence
crossed his face. A tall, elderly man,
wrapped ia a thick ulster with the col
lar turned up round his throat, had
come and stood behind them and said
in a tentative voice, as if not quite sure
OF her identity, Edith, and then in an
imperious, impatient tone as she turned
her head, edith, 1 have been looking
for you everywhere"
Eyes, father" said Miss Hamilton,
quietly. She had naturally a quiet, low
pitched voice; when she spoke to her
father it seemed almost suppressed.
She said a few words to him as Mr..
Fletcher rose and stood by with his self
possessed angular air and a slight look
OF expectancy.
my gOOdness." said Miss Luck to her
friend, Miss van HOOten, as they settled
into their places at dinner halt al hour
later. Il saw something this afternoon.
The Solitary Girl has introduced
'Steely Eyes TO her papa. Look, he's
coming in TO be her chaperon at dinner.
Time he did"
And they both stared eagerly at the
tall gray-headed man who was taking
his seat between Nh. Fletcher and Miss
Hamilton.
Family freezes to Fletcher" said
Miss van HOoten ~lacOnically, as the two
men lit cigars together and paced the
deck side by side.
1t was raw and wet outside that even
ing, and Miss Hamilton remained be-
low. Next morning the acquaintance
between her father and Mr.. Fletcher
seemed almost a friendship, they talked
together so long in the smoking room;
or at least Mr.. Fletcher talked and the
elder man listened, and all day no one
saw Miss Hamilton appear except at
meals; no one, that IS, but Mr.. Smith,
who, being, as has been said, a dis
erect young man, did not mention il.
As a matter Of fact he recognized her on
dol lnta I'm the auaninr and wnnlh not