The Press., 1893-05-04
LUCILLE.

of pretty face, and when he caught one glimpse of Lucilles as the wind blew her veil aside on the homeward trip of the Malta heswished he was her cousin or the stout ship surgeon who dared offer her his arm for promenade. There was something almost familiar in the face too. Where had he met her? At what german or reception, in the salons of the best society or in the wards of some hos pital? Or was it only a trick of imagine tion? Had he waltzed with her at some seaside hop or taken her out at some state dinner or wedding breakfast?
 Dr. Harrisse was a bold man in his way. The few days on the Malta had hung like lead on his hands, there being but handful of cabin passengers, and many of those without their sea legs. He was man quick to think, but somewhat forgetful. His eyes met Lucille's. A smile of recognition illumined her face. He bowed confidently and advanced to- ward her.
 ''I am happy to meet you again" he said unblushingly. Perhaps you find it as dull aboard as do?"
 "If you are at your wits end for amusement, as am, I'm sorry for you" :" she said. My poor aunt has not been able so far to lift her head from the pill low" s''
 'Who the deuce do I know with the tally considered. However, it doesn't signify if she is only amusing and the aunt is not an ogre"
 The ships surgeon, Dr. Johns, con- suited his watch.
 ''Pll be obliged to deliver you to the tender mercies of Dr. Harrisse, Miss Lindsay" he said as he hurried away.
 ''You see I am lame still,' she = ently remarked.
 ''Is it possible?" he returned, feeling as if he was groping in the dark. Had cident which had escaped his memory? She took it for granted that he was fa- miliar with the circumstances. A mis- step might expose him. But doubtless it will wear off in time,' he hazarded. q fear not. You don't realize that the accident happened six years ago. fused it too soon. I must ride, you know, at that time or die. It was weak, and l got another fall and broke it again.
 ''I am sincerely sorry to hear it" said | Dr. Harrisse.
 Was it possible that he had known this blooming creature six years and had neg lected to cultivate her? Now he would learn by experience and make the most of the present.
 "Is this your first visit abroad?"
 "Yes. Ihave been away five years. call Europe my schoolroom. I didn't know anything when I left America ex- cept riding, you know. was perfect dunce. have studied the arts and lan- guages. I can sing and speak to you in | five tongues"
 "With the tongues of men and angels, I've no doubt"
 ''I can paint yon 8 picture that will not be half bad. Have I not used my opportunities"
 [ II would to heaven I had used mine half so well.''
 And then the interesting subject was allowed to drop.
 But Lucille and Dr. Harrisse had a thousand other things to discuss. He delighted in woman who dared to dis agree with him. They found that they had just missed each other at Inter- lachen; that he had only been prevented by chance from joining the party with which she had made the ascent of Mount Blanc. They had mutual friends abroad, but still the great enigma, where he had known her in America, remained un- l solved.
 | But he troubled himself very little about it just now. He was drifting with the tide. He was passing through new phase of existence. He had believed himself invincible, and, behold. he had been conquered by the touch of hand, turn of head" It was absurd perhaps for man of his years to be so easily en- chanted. He rather longed for the end of the voyage in order to discover if it was only the glamour of 8 pretty face and sweet manner that infatuated him. He assured himself that it would. | It seemed to Dr. Harrisse about this time that Dr. Johns was always joining them, that he had a weakness himself for Miss Lindsay, and Harrisse smiled, thinking how futile it was.