The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-03-25
CHAPTER NJ,

After all, il must be admitted tha,
George Wentworth was a man of some
what changeable character. For the
last two or three days he had been mop
ing around like one who meditated sui
eide; now he suddenly became the
brightest individual aboard. when
every one else was wondering what was
going to happen to the ship. For man
to be moody and distraught while dan
gerwas impending was notat all surpris-
ing; but that Il man, right in the midst
OF gloom, should suddenly blossom out
into IA smiling countenance and gen.
eral hilarity of manner, was something
extraordinary. People thought il must
hc case of brain trouble They
watched the yoIng man with interest
as he walked with a springy step up
and 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 n 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 gruffly. l beg to apologize.
Come and have a drink with me-
"Oh, don't mention it," said Fleming.
ioyously; 1--WE all of us have our little
down turns now and then. Why, |
have myself, when liquor is bad or
scarce. You mightn't believe it, but
some days ] feel away down in the
mouth. 1t is true, / have n receipt
for getting up again, which l always
uSe-and that reminds me. Do you re-
member what the governor of North
Carolina said to the governor of South
Carolina?"
Pm sure l don't" said Wentworth;
"you see I'm not very well versed in
United States politics"
"WeH, there wasn't much politics
about his remark. He merely said:
It's 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"
IL believe" said Wentworth, "that is
II true statement. Let MS amend it as
soon as possible, only in this case let IN,
pay for the drinks. l invited you tc
! drink with me-"
Not at all, not at all, :" cried Fleming
mot while I'm here. This is my treat
| and it is funny to think that a maT
| should spend n week with another maT
without knowing him. Really, you
see. haven't known you till now"
And so the two worthy gentlemen
! disappeared into the smoking-room anC
rang the electric bell.
But il was in his own stateroom thai
George Wentworths jocularity cam,
| out at its best. He would grasp Johr
| kenyon by the shoulder and shake tha-
solemn man, over whose face n grin
smile would appear when he noticed tn,
eNuberant jollity of his comrade,
John" Wentworth cried, "whN
don't you laugh?'
We'll. il seems to me-" replied hi.
comrade, that you are doing laughing
enough for us both. 1t is necessary t.
have one member of the firm solid an(
substantial. I'm trying to keep the aver
age about right. When you were in th'
dumps ! had to be cheerful for two
Now that you feel so funny, l take {
kind of melancholy vacation, to rest IN,
after my hard efforts at cheerfulness.
We'll, John, it seems to me too gooc
to be true. What plucky girl she wa
tC do such a thingi How did sh,
know but that the little vixen had a re
volver with her, and might have sho
hcr?"
Il suppose she didn't think about tn,
matter at ALL"
Have you seen her since that dr;,
matte incident?"
Seen whom? Miss Brewster?"
NO, no; ! mean Miss Longworth."
NO; she hasn't appeared yet, Isup
pose she fears there will be scene, an,
she is anxious to avoid it,"
Very likely that is the case" sal,
Wentworth. well, if you get to se
her. you can tell her there is no dan
ger. Our genial friend Fleming ha
had a talk with that newspaper woman
so he tells me, and the way he describe
it is exceedingly picturesque. He ha
threatened her with giving away tn
snap as he calls il, to the other New
York papers, and it seems that tn
only thing on earth ahat Miss Brews
ter is afraid of is the opposition press
So she has promised to say nothing
more whatever about the incident
Then you have been talking wit
Fleming?"
Certainly ] have; a jovial good fel
low he is, too. have been doing some
thing more than talking with him;
have been drinking with him."
"And yet day or two ago, under
stand, you threatened to strike him.
"a day or two ago. John! 1t wa
ages and ages ago. day or two ism
in it, That was years and centurie
since, but not by time. was an oil
man then; now l have become youn
again. and all on account Of the pluck
ction of that angel of girl of yours.
Not of mine," said Kenyon, serious
ly; Il wish she were"
well, cheer up. Everything vii
come out right; you see, il always does
Nothing looked blacker than this mat
] IL Il. T.. i.