Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
nonsense.'

\ great ocean liner sailed out of the harbor of New York next day. One of its passengers was Raleigh Roberts, and so far as Helene Spanghell knew, or her mother, or anyone else in America save Ned Bullard, this passenger com pletely disappeared from earth on that day, remaining nonexistent for five long years.
 Then, on the last day of December, the same ship sailed into port. It had made many trips across the Atlantic meanwhile, but this was the first time it had brought with it q certain pas senger named Roberts. This passen- ger, however, was not the same who had sailed away half decade before; this mans face, though rot entirely unlike that of the other, was bronzed and bearded, whereas his head had been smooth and ruddy white. Moreover, on his face lines indicating strength of will and tenaeity of purpose were en- graved. It was the face of man who had fought hard fight and won; of q man who was glad to be alive not sim ply that he might pass the time in thought,ess pleasure, but because he had learned his own powers and how to use them.
 Owing to calm seas the ships pas sage was some hours shorter than had been expected and she was doeked early in the morning, so that there were few to greet the passengers as they descended the gangplanll; and Roberts was one of those whom no one met. He was not sorry for this, since it gave him an opportunity to find him self" again in New York when no one was by. Calling a carriage he was driven to the hotel where he had last seen Helene Spanghell, and there he breakfasted. Then he went 10 the stenographer in attendance, to whom he wished to dictate some letters.
 Raleigh Roberts had been surprised many times in his life and more than once since sailing away from New York had found it necessary to summon to his assistance all the nerve he pos sessed. But he had never undergone a severer test than that which now con fronted him; for the figure of the stenographer was a familiar and grace ful one, and the eyes that were lifted to his were the same that had bantered him five years before, when he lad been almost dared to extend a never forgotten invitation. But the face was paler, and the gaiety that had then ra- diated from it was now gone. There was nothing of coquetry in the brief, business-like gaze with which she re- garded him. Finally something was amiss with her; and plainly she did not recognize him, all Drowned and bearded as he was. So, pulling himself togethr CT, he began, in voice that was slight ly tremulous to be sure, to dictate a letter. But he had not spoken, q com plete sentence before there was q lit- tie cry and the nimble fingers stopped their work,
 Don't be startled. child the grave, bronzed man said, quietly. Let me go on with my dietation for a little so as not 10 excite attention, and then you shall hear what have to say, and tell me all about it."
 After the brief dictation he told her of his despair five years before, and how his friend. by offering him a chance to take charge of a business en- terprise in the southern half of the world, mid hardly civilized people, had offered him an opportunity to be- gin life anew. But he did not then say y that he had won new fortune. Her story was mainly one of reverses- though she had won victory too