Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-04-09
SELECTED STORIES.
IN THE STEERAGE.

was In the steerage. She was In the
cahsg. Not that I was not a. much as
tonished 20 see her as she possibly was
to SEQ me. had no idea she was In the
Persia, though knew IL was settled some
time before that the Dufours were going
to Europe. a
Lily Dufour had once promised 10 mar
ry me, and though a bankers daughter
had seemed willing 30 wed q comparative
ly poor man. But when / became limo
Gently involved In the Disgrace Of the head
of the firm she soornsd me and forbade me
to see her. Now, though no one knew IL,
/, who was travelling In the storage, was
on my way to England to receive the es-
tate of late and wealthy uncle.
Thanks to the kindness OF the mate, I
was occasionally allowed on the saloon
deck. One night heard Lily speak very
bitterly of me, while her girlish compan-
ION as warmly defended me. Who could
this dainty champion bei q
saw her face. IL was, as had hoped,
lovely youthful face, and could hear
every infection Of her clear, low voice. q
"Quite nioe people, suppose, go a.
steerage passengers sometimss,"I heard
her say. I
"Oh, yes, even gentlemen In reduced
circumstances. Indeed / once had a rich
friend-you might call him crank-who
went for the fun of the thing he said, to
see life In q new phase. believe he liked
it best" \
"A girl with suoh face, I said TO my
self, "must be worth winning, by no
means as beautiful as my former divinity.
but more lovely In every way" a
Lily was taller, more queenly, but this
girl with the sweet voice and glorious,
starlike eyes, was, In every way but the
mere matter OF fortune, her cousins supe-
rior. OF that felt assured and was quite
willing her image should haunt me. /
A few weeks had passed, and stood be-
fore the gates of fine mansion, now my
own estats-in Devonshire village-and
looked up the long avenue bordered by mo-
BILE oaks. All that my uncle had died pos
sessed of was left to me, money and lands.
/ certainly did feel the pride Of possession
In the first flush Of proprietorship-l held
my head erect. / was once more even with
the world. The country about was indeed
beautiful. Rose hedges bordered the vii
lage lanes; here and there thrifty farm
lay smiling In the sunshine; cottages dot
ted the hillsides. Everywhere the land
spoke Of care and prosperity.
The house was we'll preserved and filled
with solid though quaint furniture. There
were hothouses and all the inventions OF
this utilitarian age for farming on large
scale on the grounds. saw the houses
of my tenants. was lord of the soil.
Once more in London my thoughts turn
ed back to my own country and some un-
settled business there. There was yet work
to do, mistakes TO correct, enemies TO meet,
friends to reward.
Among my ssquaintanoes In the metrop-
oils was a young German baron, who had
married a lovely English girl, and with
whom had passed many happy hours.
"You must come here tonight" said tho
young baroness one day. ~ expect some
Americans whom perhaps you have met
the Dufours. The young lady 10 exquisite
ly beautiful; there are two-oousins, /
think"
"I did know Dufour, the banker, Of New
York" said quietly. though my pulses
futtered with a new thrill of gladness.
"Oh, yes, it must be the same family.
You will GOMEZ"
ION one condition." said.
"And what Is thati"
"That you will not speak Of me till I
come. As have another engagement, I
shall be here late In the evening""
"Whatl May not even tell the story Of
your good fortunei"
Anything, so You do not mention my
namen
She laughed-her quick woman's wit
comprehsnded-and promising to DO very
careful she said her adieus.
The reader perhaps anticipates. I was
spoken of az the young man about whose
extraordinary luck they might have heard
the American nephew of An old Devon
shire gentleman who had quarreled with
his sister because her marriage displeased
him, but who at last had relepted and
left millions to her son-but she withheld
my name. Later on / came. They were
at tea, my host told me. 1t was stand
ing tea. hatter myself made my debut
with singular ooolness-and found myself,
teacup In hand, faos to face with Miss Du-
four, 70 whom bowed with naughty en-
pressemsnt. 10 see har start, grow white
and catch her bpeeth, to hear her unguard-
ed, "Why, Hali'-well, it was almost
worth losing a fortune for that experience.
"Miss Dufours" said, with chilling
bow. .f $685..
Pen Of mine cannot describe her daseom-
future. Il was almost like tsrros For onoe
the reigning belle, the woman Of the world,
was foiled, mortified, sxtinguished.
Rallying at last, she tried In some sort
of way to regain her lost power, but was
In love with the starry eyes and soul lit
face Of her cousin Lucy-had been ever
since that eventful night, looking mp from
the lower deck--and on one other msmora-
BILE oooasion--saw her sweet face. and
heard her speak for the poverty stricken
and almost banishsd man.
We took our honeymoon trip back In
the Persia. Since the failure Of the great
banking house Of the Dufour Bros. and
the death OF the banker himself Lily has
had home with us, for feel that In some
sort owe to her my treasure Of a wife,
Exchange.