Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-05-03

WHICH G4lhS RSNillo uuu NdtcN HS{c
walking up and down on deck.
Tho steamer was rolling a great deal.
and he had offered her his arm, which
she had accepted. She treated him In
a frank, unembarrassed fashion, almost
as sister might have done-and her
Well, men are susceptible. you know.
and am bound to say his feelings to
her were not altogether those Of q
brother.
When they had taken q few turns In
silence. abe said suddenly, Mr.. Carew,
We seem to have become such good
friends by this time that should liks
to say something to you which other
wise should not presume to say"
She looked up at him Gs she spoke,
and be looked down at her.
You know you may say anything
You please to me-" he said, with q cnEt-
Ous lingering tenderness in his voice.
You won't think it a1iberty, viii
your" she went on.
~ shall essuredly not think Il lib
erty," was the brief answer. Ger
tainly her eyes were very lovely. They
thrilled him through and through.
II want to ask you, then, she said
somewhat nervously, why you allow
those people to believe what they be-
lieve about youf"
She felt him winco slightly.
There was u silence. The monotonous
throbbing Of tho engines amidships
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
be-true. l am-pardon mean utter
stranger to you; you have no reason to
believe In my innocence.
Il do believe in your innocence.
though" she murmured, an excited
thrill running through her voice.
MAY ask why?" He spoke clear
ly, but she felt his arm tremble under
her hand.
For one swift moment she looked up
at 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 c1ri-
GUS sobbing little laugh. because !
-know"
A minute later she was gone, and he
was watching the last futter of her
gown disappearing in the direction of
the stairway.
Late that night Cnrew sat In his
cabin, leaning his elbows on his knees,
and staring earnestly at something he
held between his fingers, something that
twinkled and sparkled as the light Of
the electric lamp fell upon it. 1t 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 1t blew a
pretty fair gale. 1t rained good deal,
too, at intervals; and such of the pas
sengers as were not violently seasick in
their berths kept to the SELDOM 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 Ill, he thought. but when
he told her SO she only laughed.
"Do you care to como for turn?"
he said. "It 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 few
turns Miss Neville said she 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 long time both were silent.
Then Carew said In a half whisper:
"You are trembling. You are not
afraid of the storm, are your It Is moth
ing for the bay, l 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
tremulously.
After a pause he laid his hand on
hers as 1t rested on her knee and said
In an odd. deliberate kind Of way:
''Will you let me take care Of you al
ways9 mean as my wife. I have
grown to love you very dearly, and
think / could make you happy"
For perhaps minute there was utter
silence.
Then Carew withdrew bis hand, say
ing hastily and In an indefnably
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.
AOIBOb ADL u1Ou1CAe LAds i dLI q IAfi1i
under cloud-a cloud that In all prob
ability will never be lifted. for / 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 I'M
perceptible quiver in the deep voice.
A small hand stole softly into his.
''T do care for you, said happy lit
tie voice, land ] would take your wo-d
against all the world"
Another pause. Carew did not even
press the hand no held. Then he said
harshly: But suppose I cannot give
you my word? Suppose ! tell you that
I am what our fellow passengers thinA
I ann"
II should not believe you" was the
confident answer.
but if tell you that you must be.