The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-08-20
an invitation; 1 certainly never

quick, and, for the first time since I've
had him, he is obliged to sacrifice his
dignity 10 the expedition of the work.
June 4.-This morning Hobbs
aroused me at five, and we hurried over
seven, to the usual accompaniment of
good-by tears and kisses, and write
as-soon-as-yCu-get-theres." Happily,
my sudden departure was known to
not a single friend. so | made no sham
parade Of grief.
All morning l watched the water.
and eXulted in the thought hat every
twist of the screw brings me nearer to
Edith.
At lunch l sat next to a delicious lit
tie creature-blond, perfectly made
and rather inclined to be friendly. as
these unconventional steamer friend
ships go. The thought of soon meet
ing Edith absorbed me so thai l paid
very little attention to her; but, after
a couple of hours in the smoking-room,
actually found myself trampirg 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 5 a Miss Mildred Hart. and she
comes from New York. She is travel
ing with her father. and they are going
to Paris, via Cherhourg. After Paris
! thay- 1E-,r1 -, ,i-f+ ~, Ir.-,n+ vol,
tives somewhere or other in France.
| srrapcd an acquaintance with her
father. too. late in the afternoon. He
X 4 benevolent old fellow. with broad
views on some things. One of his most
commendabLe opinions is-aEd this
from a seIf-made man.-that a young
man with a private income commits 10
crime by living on that income. with
out seeking to make himself useful to
the world at large. We shall get on
well together.
The greater part of the evening l
| 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
orn Hoyle. l do believe that l 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
right that l slept very little, and | was
early on deck. For awhile 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 a little and said that
ii might be better for us TO know each
ether for a whole week before settling
such a question; in any case, she would
have to talk to papa. She must have
preached the subject directly after
breakfast; he was searching for me
within an hour. We had a long. weary
talk. While he admitted that he really
llhtu llt. It hltN db>oiuttiN HOllllliS
more about my standing than ! 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 al entirely ephem-
eral passion. one inspired only by the
circumstances surrounding its concep-
ton, one that we would both regret
when again among our former assOci-
atoms? Well, he would see me again
in the afternoon.
l came below with him and went to
my stateroom to change my coat and
vest. As it happened, the garments
were the same l wore the day we
sailed. There was something stiff in
the vest pocket, and l thrust my hand
III imPatiently and fished 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 hat he had
reached a decision. Until We are ali
home in America matters to remain
just as they stand. Ibid 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 re are
going to visit some relatives in Ii
sioux"
Jumped, and he sawit.
"Oh, do you know Lisieux? Pretty
place. l believe"
l was somewhat stunned at the idea
of meeting the Ainsleys when | was
with Mile. and for a few moments
my head swan; but suddenly a bril-
liant idea came to me:
NO, I'm not acquainted with
Lisieux," l said, but / shall be happy
to accompany you if 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 n cancer which
may carry him away at almost any
time. l left instructions where to
cable me in case he should become sud-
denly worse"