The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-02

throbbing of the engines amldshlps
mingled with floating scraps Of half
heard talk and laughter.
Then Carew said in a hard, bitter
voice: Unfortunately am not respon-
sible for their beliefs, Miss Neville.
Besides, what they believe of me may
le-true. am--pardon mean utter
stranger to you; you have no reason TO
believe in my innocence.
II do believe in your innocence,
though" she murmured, an excited
thrill running through her voice.
MAY / ask why?" He spoke clear
", but she felt his arm tremble under
her hand.
For one swift moment she looked up
ct him, and her eyes were full of tears.
But he did not see them, for he was
gazing straight before him.
',,Why?" she repeated, with curl
Gus sobbing little laugh. "Because l
--know!"
A minute later she was gone, and he
was watching tho last flutter of her
gown disappearing in the direction of
the stairway.
Late that night Carew sat in his
cabin, leaning his elbows ON his knees,
and staring earnestly at something no
held between his fingers, something that
twinkled and sparkled as the light of
the electric lamp fell upon it. lt was
broad gold gypsy ring, richly chased,
and set at intervals with large dia-
monds. Inside were two Roman let
ters formed of tiny seed pearls.
For two days after that it blew a
pretty fair gale. 1t rained good deal,
too, at intervals; and such of the pas
sengers as were not violently seasick i'll
their berths kept to the saloon or the
music room, with the exception of two
or three hardy males, of whom Carew
was one.
AS he passed the door Of the stairway
toward the evening of the second day,
he saw Miss Neville, who had just
struggled so far, and was clinging to
the door TO windward. She was look
ing white and i'll, he thought, but when
he told her so she only laughed.
"Do you care to come for a turn"
he said. lit doesn't rain now, and
will take good care you don't fall, " he
added.
She consented, but the steamer was
pitching SO heavily that after n few
turns Miss Neville said sho would rath-
er sit down.
So Carew provided her with a shell
tered seat, brought warm rug to wrap
about her feet and seated himself beside
her. 1t was now almost dark. A few
stars shone here and there in the stormy
sky.
The wind shrieked and whistled
drearily. The deck was deserted. For
quite a long tsne both were silent.
Then Carew said in half whisper:
"You are trembling. You arc not
afraid of the storm, are You? 1t is moth
ing for the bay. assure you
"No-I am not afraid"
"You feel quite safe here with me?"
he went on, sinking his voice lower yet.
Yes" she answered somewhat
TREMENDOUSLY.
After a pause he laid his hand on
hers as it rested on her knee and said
in an odd, deliberate kind of way:
Will you let me take care of you al
ways3 l mean as my wife. i have
grown to love you very dearly, and l
think could mako you happy"
For perhaps a minute there was utter
silence.
Then Carew withdrew his hand, say
ing hastily and in an inde6nably
changed voice: "Ah! you do not care
for me. Perhaps it is as well, and per-
haps had no right to ask you to do 80.
forgot for a moment that am man
under cloud--a cloud that in all prob
ability will never be lifted, for l tell
you honestly have no means of right
ing myself Forget what / have said"
The words and tone were hardly lover
like, but there was slight, almost inn
perceptible culver in the deep voice.
A small hand stole softly into his.
II do care for you, said IA happy lit
tie voice, land would take your word
against all the world
Another pause. Carew did not even
press the hand he held. Then he said
harshly: But suppose L cannot give
you my word? Suppose tell you that
l am what our fellow passengers think
L ann"
Il should not believe you," was the
confident answer.
But if 1 tell you that You must be-
lieve meI" His face as he looked down
was very pale and wore an expression
she could hardly fathom.
She uttered half suppressed little
cry, but she did not take her hand
away-only nestled ii)Sarther into his.
He grasped it almost painfully then
let il go.
Foolish, trusting little woman, he
said in strange voice. Must L give
you proof that your trust is--mis-
placedi"
He held out his other hand to her.
In its palm lay tho ring Even in the
dim light she recognized il at once.
There was a curious, brcathless pause,
during which Carew never took his