The Delta independent., 1896-09-30

last two or three years he had been mop
ing around like one who mcditated sui
eide; now he suddenly became the
brightest individual aboard, when
every one else was wondering W hat was
going to happen to the shin. For man
to be moody and distraught while dan
eerwas impending was not at all surpris-
ing; but that man, right in the midst
OF gloom, should Suddenly blossom out
into smiling countenancc and n gen
crnl hilarity of manner, was something
extraordinary. People thought It must
be q case of brain trouble. They
watched the young nun with interest
as he walked with springy step up
ard down deck. Every now and then
n bright smile illuminated his face,
and then he seemed TO be ashamed that
people should notice he was feeling
hilarious. When he was alone with
himself he had habit of shifting his
thigh and bursting out into a laugh
that was long and low, rather than loud
and boisterous. No one was more as
tnnishcd at this change than Fleming.
the politician. George met him on
deck, and, to the great surprise Of that
worthy gentleman, smote him on the
back ard said:
my dear sir, am afraid the other
day, when you spoke to me, answered
n little GrufIly. beg TO apologize.
Conc and Lave drink with me-"
"Oh, don't mention it," said Fleming.
joyously; ''wc all of US have our littl.
down turns now and then. Why,
have myself, when liquor is bud OF
scarce. You nightn't believe it, but
some days 1 feel away down in the
mouth. It is true, have q receipt
for getting up again, which always
use--and that reminds me. Do you re-
member what the governor of North
Cnrolinn said to the governor of South
Carolina?"
"rm sure 1 DON'T" said Wentworth;
you see I'm not very well versed in
United States politics."
"Well, there wasn't much politics
about his remark. He merely said:
It's a long time between drinks; come
in and have something with me- 1t
seems to me you haven't tasted any.
thing in my company since the voyage
began"
II believe" said Wentworth, "that is
o true statement. Let us amend it rs
soon as possible, only in this case let me
pay for the drinks. I invited you to
drink with me-"
Not ut all, not Mt all," cried Fleming,
mot while I'm here. This is my treat.
and it is funny to think that man
should spend week with another man
without knowing him. Really, you
see, I haven't known you till now."
And SO the two worthy gentlemen
20 Hhoe nd
rang the electric bell.
But it was in his own stateroom that
George Wentworth's jocularity came
out ut its best. He would grasp John
Kenyon by the shoulder and shake that
solemn man, over whose face a grim
smile would appear when he noticed the
exubernnt jollity Of his comrade.
"John," Wentworth cried, "why
don't you laugh?"
swell, it seems to me-" replied his
comrade, "that you are doing laughing
enough for us both. It is necessary to
have one member Of the firm solid and
substantial. I'm trying to keep the aver
age about right. When you were in the
dumps I had to be cheerful for two.
Now that you feel so funny, take a
kind of melancholy vacation, to rest me
after my hard efforts at cheerfulness."
swell, John, it seems to me too good
to be true. What plucky girl she was
tc do such q thing! How did she
know but that the little vixen had O re-
volver with her, and might have shot
herT'
81 suppose she didn't think about the
matter ut ALL"
"Have you seen her since TINT cirs.
matte incident?"
seen whom? Miss BrewsterT'
mo, no; mean Miss LoDgworth."
"No; she hasn't appeared yet. Isup.
pose she fears there will be a scene, and
she is anxious to avoid it."
"very likely that IL the CASE said
Wentworth. "Well, II you get to zee
her, you can tell her there II no dam
ger. Our genial friend Fleming has
had . talk with that newspaper woman,
30 be tells me, and the way he describes
it Is exceedingly picturesque. He has
Threatened her with giving away the
'snap,' ae he calls II, TO the other New
York papers, and II seems that the
only thing on earth that Miss Brcws-
ter II afraid Of 10 the opposition press.
30 she has promised 70 say nothing
more whatever about the incident"
Then you have been talking with
Elemingr
Certainly have; . jovial good fel-
low he IL, too. I have been doing some
thing more than talking with him; I
have been drinking with him."
"And yet day or two ago. I under
stand, you threatened TO strike him.
"A day or two ego, John! Il was
ages and ages ago. A day or two isn't
In u. That was years and centuries
sincr. but not by time. wns an old