The Opelousas courier., 1898-03-12

Armstrong. stealing a cursory glance
at the slender figure drap< in heavy
black.
A thick, blue veil quite concealed
her face, and usually Indifferent rs he
was to women, he fel< a strange curl
osity to see her lift it.
When lie passed a second time he
extended his hand tSthe child.
"Would you like II walk, my little
man?' he asked.
The boy ran to him.
May | take him, madame" he in
quired, ~conrteously lifting his hat; but
il he hoped to hear her voice he was
disappointed.
She bowed assent. He could not
know that underneath the veil great
tears were rolling down her cheeks.
The child was little more than a baby,
his hair hanging over his shoulders III
tiaNen curls. but all his prattle was of
"mamma.'
"Where is papa?" questioned Arm
strong.
Up went the little finger heaven
ward, while a solemn look stole over
the baby-face.
".As thought reflected the man,
and he felt a singular satisfaction in
having his suspicion verified. Il will
hear her voice at least, he determined,
and he walked back to where she sat.
''Your little boy and [ have become
great friends,' he said. IL am fond
of children, and he has promised Inc
we shall have many walks together"
"You are very kind" was the sim
pie answer.
But Armstrong, as he heard it, grew
deathly pale.
'Irene!" he said, as though the
name burst i~nvoluntarily from his
lips.
She instantly threw back her veil,
but all trace of tears had disappeared,
and only a smile was on her lovely
lips as she extended toward him her
hand.
"You won't refuse to shake hands
with me- she said, ~sweetly. Il rec
ognized you at once, Mr.. Armstrong,
and [ also recognized that, on the mar
row confines of the ship, avoidance of
each other would be impossible.
Here, at least, we may be friends?"
Not for six years-not since the mo-
ment he had left this woman's pres
ence-had Harry Armstrong; heart
beat as madly as in this hour; but her
composure helped his.
He let his fingers close over hers
with no warmer pressure than in I'M
expectedly meeting any chance &C
quaintance; but the warmth had gone
from his tone, as he replied:
"Friends always trust. Six years
have changed you very little, Mrs. Ba-
A red flush rose to her cheeks as he
spoke her name, and she answered
hurriedly, s though some embarrass-
ment possessed her.
$50 my rival is Dead" unused Arm
when he found himself again
"Andthe old madness is upon
me. We both stand now on equal
ground at least. Does she know? 1
wonder! Has she heard that one year
after the day she Tilted me I came into
my fortune? Not a long waiting
it have been for either of us.
Perhaps, as John Bacon's widow, she
will endeavor again to inveigIe me
into believing her true. ALI, one les
son such as [ have had lasts a man a
lifetime. And yet-oh, God, why can
[ not forget her? Before I knew who
she vas the old attraction drew me
toward her. After I leave this ship [
pray that We may never meet again"
Perhaps because Harry Armstrong
really was so earnest in this prayer he
concluded he must make the most of
present. Perhaps it was the old
story of the candle and the moth, but
certain it was that day after day found
lim beside his old love.
They never spoke of the past. They
never resurrected the dead. Their
hands never met even in q 'good
morning" Yet they laughed and
as though each did not feel the
mad heart-beats every instant they
we're together.
It was the last day out. Irene and
were alone, the child playing
1t their feet, when a lady approached
hem, leaning on the arm of her maid,
pale and wan from recent illness.
Il concluded the air might do me
she said, languidly, as Irene
arose and assisted her to a
hair, then turned and presented her
Nj. Armstrong.
"You are my little boys friend,'
aid the stranger, extending her hand
gracefully. "He has talked SO much
+ you-and Miss Hutton tells me you
re an old friend of her own"
From one to the other Harry Arm
trong looked in blank surprise.
He stammered some reply lily ac-
with his usual ease, then,
landing before Irene, he offered her
lis arm.
"Will you take a turn on deck with
ne, Miss Hutton?" he said, empha-
lZlng her name.
She rose instantly. They walked
o the other end of the ship, when he
paused and confronted her.
"Irene, nov tell me what it all
he said.
"Only that I am Miss Hutton still.
Il saw your mistake and nco
ged it, hoping you might never know
he truth. My mother died and I vas
I am companion to the
to whom I just presented yon
nd governess to the little boy"
"Why did you not marry?"