The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-09-25
CHAPTER LII. ]

way, with much balancing and holding
en- of stanchions, along the deck. for
the ship rolled fearfully. although
there seemed to be little wind and the
sun was shining brightly, but the per-
son he sought was nowhere visible. H
thought he would SO into the smoking
room, out changed his mind at the door,
and turned down the companionway to
the main saloon. The tables had been
cleared of the breakfast belongings,
but on one Of the small tables u white
cloth had been laid. and at this spot
of purity in the general effect of red
plush sat Miss Brewster, who was COM
placently ordering what she wanted
from steward, who did not seem at a II
pleased in serving one who had disre-
garded the breakfast hour to the dis
arrangement of all saloon rules. The
chief steward stood by door and
looked disapprovingly at the late guest.
1t was almost time to lay the tables for
lunch, and the young woman was as
calmly ordering her breakfast as if
she had been the first person at the
table
She looked up brightly at Wentworth,
and smiled as he approached her.
II suppose" she began, I'm dread
fully late, and the steward looks as if
he would like to scold me- How aw-
fully the ship is rolling. Is there a
Storm"
mo. She seems to be doing this sort
of thing for amusement. Wants to
make it interesting for the unfortunate
passengers who are not good sailors, 1
suppose. She is doing it, too. There's
scarcely anyone on deck"
Dear me. thought we were having
dreadful storm. Is it raining?"
mo. It's beautiful sunshiny day;
without much wind. either, in spite OF
all this row."
81 suppose you have had your break
fast long ago?"
$50 long since that 1 am beginning
to look forward with pleasant antici-
patton to lunch"
'Oh dear! had no idea was so late
as that. Perhaps you had better scold
me. Somebody ought to do it, and the
steward seems little afraid"
'You Overestimate my courage. lam
a little afraid, too"
"Then you do think deserve it?'
''I didn't say that, nor do I think it.
! confess, however, that up to this mo-
ment 1 felt just trific lonely"
"Just a trifle! Well, that is flattery.
How nicely you English do turn a COM
pliment- just a tIifle!"
81 believe, as a race, we do not VEN
ture much into COMMUNICATING at
all. We leave that for the polite for
eigner. He would say what tried to
say a great deal better than l did, of
course; but he would not mean half so
much"
''Oh, that's very nice. Mr.. Wentworth.
10 foreigner could have put it nearly
so well. Now what about going on
Gecl,?'
Anywhere. if you let me accompany
YOU"
81 shall be most delighted to have
YOU. l won't say merely tribe de-
lighted"
''Ah! Haven't you forgiven that re-
mark yet?''
There's nothing to forgive. and it
is quite too delicious to forget. shall
never forget it,
81 believe that you are very cruel at
heart. Miss Brewster"
The young woman gave him q curious
side look, but did not answer. She
gathered the wraps she had taken from
the cabin, and, handing them to him
before he had thought of Offering to
take them, they went on deck. lie
found there chairs side by side, and ad-
mired the intelligence of the deck stew
ard, who seemed 10 understand what
chairs to place together. Miss Jennie
sank gracefully into her own, and al
lowed him 10 adjust the wraps around
her
There" she said, that's very nicely
done; as well as the deck steward him
self could DO il. and am sure it is i'm
possible TO ray you a more graceful
compliment than that. So few men
know how to arrange one comfortably
in a steamer chair
You speak as though you had vast
experience III steamer life; and vet you
told me this was your first voyage
1T is. But ii doesn't take a woman
more than a day 10 see that the average
man attends to such little niceties very
clumsily. Now. just tuck in the corner
out of sight. There! Thank you, ever
so much. And would you be kind
enough tO-yes. that's better. And
this other wrap so. Oh! that is perfect.
What patient man you are, Mr.. Went
worth"
"Yes. Miss brewster. you are a for
eigner. ! can see that now. Your pro-
fessed compliment was hollow. You
said l did it perfectly, and then i'm
mediately directed me how to do it,"
Nothing of the kind. You did it well,
and I think you ought not to grudge me
the pleasure of adding my own little
improvements"
''oh. if you put it that way, 1 will not.
Now, before 1 sit down, tell me what
book 1 can get that. will interest you.
The library contains a very good as
Sortment"