People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-02-09

| over a generous lunch, and then went
down to the saloon. The passengers
| were assembling for the midday
lunch, and, taking his seat at the head
of the long table in the center, he
called the head steward and asked him
to bring the passenger list. The man
brought printed slip of paper, and
the Captain began to examine it with
some interest.
Smith, Smiley, Telford, OConnor
Madame Potard,-odd name; some
Frenchwoman.-Gearing, Judge Gear
irg and wife, Miss Johnson"
He read the name with start. 1t
was just as he expected, and vet the
name gave him a sense of amazement
ming led with eXultation. If this
should be his friends daughter he
would restore her to him and make
them both happy. No doubt there was
some misunderstanding, and with
little tact he would clear it up and do
both a good turn. There were twenty
hours left,-ample time for such an
affair. Calling the steward again, he
asked him quietly who this person
might be, at the same time pointing
silently at Miss Johnson's name on the
printed list.
THAT person? 0, she's sitting
yonder, sir. Third table, next the old
gentleman. l believe he's Judge,
though you'd never know it, seeing
these American judges don't wear no
wigs"
Judge Gearing, isn't it?"
Eyes, sir; that's the name. Perkins
was telling me he's liberal sort O.
Teller, and that girl amt his daughter
but some potege a-traveling with
him"
"Potege is good Simpkins That's
all Much obliged. Yes; give me a
little soup first.
While waiting the stewards return,
he glanced round the saloon to see if
the young committeeman had ap-
peared. He was not to be seen any
where. Just as the soup arrived, a
most singular scene took place at the
third table. The girl and her elderly
companion were quietly talking TO-
gether in the pleasantest manner pos
sible, when two ladies entered the sa-
loon and came along the aisle as if to
find seats. A steward offered two
chairs directly opposite the old gen.
tleman whom the Captain began men,
tally to call 1.-THE Judge" One of
these ladies was evidently young
Frenchwoman, and was dressed with
unusual splendor for shipboard.
Madame Potard, l dare say" re-
marked the Captain to himself. "Ahr'
Well might he be surprised; for the
instant the young girl caught sight of
the Frenchwoman she rose and left
the table, going out at the door where
the two ladies had entered. The
girls movements evidently created
some excitement among the party, but
it was instantly suppressed, and the
two ladies sat down as if nothing had
happened. The Judge rose, as if to 60
out, but seemed to think better of it,
and resumed his seat.
There is more in this business than
appears on the surface. l must look
into the matter before l take any
steps"
steward" This aloud to the SER
want.
"Yes, sir.
$50 upstairs and tell Capt. johnson
hes the pilot-not to leave the room
till | come up. Tell him l want to see
him"
Just then he saw the committeeman
enter by another door and camly sit by
the two ladies, speaking pleasantly to
both of them as if on the best of terms.
No further evidence was needed. Bv
one OF the strange meetings that are
so common in travel, and that show
how small the world really is, father
and daughter were both on the same
ship and quite unknown to each other.
he would bring them together when
he was sure of his ground. He would
do it very soon, sending a servant for
Miss johnson and calling her to his
own saloon on the hurricane-deck and
then putting her in the old mans
arms. All would be forgiven, with
blessings on himself for playing the
kindly Providence in the affair 1t
gave his sailed old heart a glow of
fresh satisfaction to think of the meet
ing. Let him first find out who this
other woman was, and then for a
happy meeeting,-tears, blessings, and
a little private supper in the char..-
room. ..
The lunch was soon finished, and
then Mrs. Gearing took her husband S
arm and said
my dear, come to my room for a
little while. want to talk to you. %
mo, wish to see Mai l fear she
is ILL"
st is of Miss johnson wish to
speak l have made a most alarming
discovery. Come to my room. must
tell you all about it at once"
"All right, Maria You can only
speak good of her. There, I'll shut
the door. Now, what is it?'
Though the door of the little room
was closed, Mrs. Gearing seemed 20 be
fearful lest some one hear her, and
spoke in tragic whisper.
"We have made fearful mistake