The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-13

| somewhat nervously, "why YOU allow
those people to believe what they be-
lievo about your"
Shc felt him winco slightly.
There was n silence. The monotonous
throbbing of tho engines amidships
mingled with floating scraps of half
heard talk and laughter.
Then Carow said i'll Il hard, bitter
voice: Unfortunately am not respon-
sible for their beliefs, Miss Neville.
Besides, what they believe of me may
true. | am-pardon mean utter
stranger to you; you have no reason to
believe i'll my innocence.
Il do believe in your innocence,
though" she murmurcd, an excited
thrill running through her voice
MAY ask Why He spoke clear
~. but She felt his arm trcmble under
her hand.
For one swift moment she looked up
ut him, ANA 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 littlo laugh. Because |
-know!'
a minute later sho was gone, and he
was watching the last tlutter of her
gown disappearing in tho direction of
tho stairway.
Lato that night Carew sat in his
cabin, leaning his elbows on his knees,
and staring earnestly ut something he
held between his fingers. something that
twinkled and sparilled as tho light of
the electric lamp fell upon it. 1t was
a broad gold gypsy ring, richly chased,
and set mt intervals with largo dia-
monds. Inside were two Roman let
ters formed of tiny seed pearls.
For two days after that it blew
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 saloon or tho
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 IL turn %
no said. 1T doesn't rain now, and l
will take good care you don fall" he
added
She consented, but the steamer was
pitching SO heavily that after few
turns Miss Neville said she would ratll-
er sit down.
So Carew provided her with Il shell
tered seat, brought warm rug to wrap
about her feet and seated himself beside
her. 1t was now almost dark 4 few
stars shone here and there in the stormy
sky.
Tho wind shrieked and whistled
drearily. The deck was deserted. For
quite long time both were silent.
Then Carcw said iii Il half whisper:
You are trembling. You arc not
afraid of the storm, are you? 1t is moth
ing for the bay. / assure you.
Mo- am not afraid.
You feel quite safe here with me-"
he went on, sinking his voice lower vet.
Yes, - she answered somewhat
TREMENDOUSLY.
After "A pause he laid his hand on
hers as it rested Oh her knee and said
IN an odd, deliberate kind of way:
Twill YOU let me take care Of you al
ways: l mean as my wife. | have
grown to love You very dearly, and
think | could make YOU happy"
For perhaps Il minute there was utter
silence.
Then Carew withdrew his hand, say
ing hastily and in an indcfinably
changed voice: All. you do not care
for me. Perhaps it is as we'll and per-
haps had no right TO ask You to 20 so.
forgot for !; moment that | am a man
under Il cloud; cloud that in all prob
| ability will never be lifted, for | tell
yon honestly have 10 means Of right
ing myself Forget what | have said"
The words and tone were hardly lover
like. but there WAS Il slight, almost i'm
perccptiblc culver III the deep voice.
a small hand stole softly into his.
do care for yon, said happy lit
tie voice. and | would take your word
against all the world"
Another pause. Carcw did not even
! press the hand he held Then he said
harshly: But suppose | cannot give
yon my word? Suppose | tell YOU that
"'i " '"1 o"i itlloW passengers THINK
l ann"
L should not believe you, was tho
confident answer
But If tell you that You must be-
licvo lne?" His face as he looked down
was very pale and wore an expression
she could hardly fathom.
Sho uttered a half suppressed little
cry, but sho did not takc her hand
away only nestled it farther into his.