The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-10-28


| 10 Hoboken. The steamer sailed at
seven, to the usual accompaniment of
good-by tears and kisses, and write
-as-you-get-theres." Happily,
my sudden departure was known to
not single friend, so made no sham
parade of grief.
All morning l watched the water,
and ex,llted in the thought that every
| twist of the screw brings me nearer to
Edith.
At lunch sat next to delicious HIT
| tie creature-blond, perfectly made
and rather inclined to be friendly. as
these unconventional steamev t<iend-
ships go. The thought of soon meet
| ing Edith absorbed me so that paid
| very little attention to her; but, after
| couple of hoursin the smoking-room,
| I actually found myself tramping the
deck in search of my table neighbor.
She was not visible, however; didn't
| appear at dinner, either. Without a
soul to talk to these ocean trips are a
decided bore.
| June 81 found her this morning.
| She is q Miss Mildred Hart, and she
| comes from New York. She is travel
ing with her father, and they are going
| to Paris, via Cherbourg. After Paris
they intend to visit some distant rela-
| tives somewhere or other in France.
I scraped an acquaintance with her
father, too, late in the afternoon. He
is benevolent old fellow, with broad
views on some things. One of his most
commendable opinions is-and this
from a self-made man!-that a young
man with private income commits no
crime by living on that income, with
out seeking to make himself useful to
ths world at large. We shall get on
well together.
The greater part of the evening
spent talking to Miss Mildred. She is
delightful. She can converse on all
subjects, from the old masters to BIZ
cycles, from Shakespeare to the mod
| ern Hoyle. do believe that 1 am In
serious danger of falling head over
heels in love with her-or should be,
| that is-but for Edith Ainsley.
June s.-To-day have experienced
Il series of violent shocks. The weather
was SO rough in the early part of the
night that slept very little, and was
early on deck. For awhile 1 was alone;
then Mildred appeared at the other
end of the promenade. She looked SO
fresh and lovely and the clearing
weather made me so cheerful that
well, before we had been together ten
minutes proposed to her! That was
the first shock.
She didn't seem displeased. She
blushed, laughed little and said that
it might be better for us to know each
ether for whole week before settling
such question; in any case, she would
have to talk to papa. She must have
broached the subject directly after
breakfast; he was searching for me
within an hour. We had long, weary
talk. While he admitted that he really
liked me, he knew absolutely nothing
more about my standing than I had
told him; he would have to look me
up before giving any kind of consent
He would not deny that his daughter
had taken a great liking to me; but
might this not be an entirely ephem-
eral passion, one inspired only by the
circumstances surrounding it's concep-
ton, one that we would both regret
when again among our former associ-
ations? Well, he would see me again
in the afternoon.
I came below with him and went to
my stateroom to change my coat and
vest. AS 1t happened, the garments
were the same / wore the day we
sailed. There was something stiff in
the vest pocket, and thrust my hand
in impatiently and ffshed out-Edith's
letter! For three days had not given
to her or to my mission In crossing one
single thought. That shock took away
my breath.
Late in the afternoon again talked
to Papa Hart, and found that he had
reached decision. Until we are all
home in America matters to remain
just as they stand. I did my best to get
even a qualified consent and failed
He ended up with:
Meanwhile, my boy, come along
with us if you can. After Paris we are
going to visit some eelatives in Ii.
sieuX."
jumped, and he sawit.
"Oh, do you know Lisieux? Pretty
place, believe"
I was somewhat stunned at the idea
of meeting the Ainsleys when was
with Millie, and for a few moments
my head swan; but suddenly bril-.
liant idea came to me:
'No, I'm not acquainted with
Lisieux," said, "but I shall be happy
to accompany you II there isn't a cable
waiting me at Cherbourg."
"Some business matter?"
"Oh, no; it's not a business matter
My father, you see, has a cancer which
may carry him away at almost any
time. l left instructions where tC
cable me in case he should become sud.
denly worse"
Mr.. Hart expressed great sympathy
Let me see, 1t mu.t be nine years now
since that cancer killed poor father
but that excuse was my only hope. Az
soon as we land 1 must get the cable
gram and start for home. 1t will be
hard to wait so long for Millie to re-
turn to America.
June 12.-In spite of my plotting, we
ore fr. fsrfk When we had been ashore
about five minutes Hart discovered
that train left for Paris in an hour
and he sent me to see about the bag
gage and went himself to inquire for
my cablegram. He congratulated me