The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09
you may be disappointed, and I might be
Snuhhed

you may be disappointed. and I might be
snubbed."
Hilda took a quiet look at him as he stood
before her in the white moonlight, and she
fancied somehow, that Raymond Grant was
not of the order of men who get themselves
easily snubbed. At any rate, she felt not
the least inclination to try, even though cher
hand was in, she termed it in her own
mind, by rather frequent practice on her
fathers friend and her own avowed admlrer,
Count Castor Villefranche.
The first officer of the Tantalus addressed
himself to Hida for he had wholesome
dread of heiresses, and the airs he fancied
they would assume, and he left Nellie to
Captain Lanes attentions while he stood by
Hilda's side
II think you need have no fear" she said,
quietly but you are mistaken in taking me
for the musician. Here she is" and Hilda
put her hand on her friends arm And we
shall anticipate quite a concert tomorrow
evening; that is, if you are not on duty"
Grant bowed.
II can spare an hour at least" he said, as
he raised his cap, and stepped aside to allow
newcomer to join the little group, a
slight dark man, who strolled slowly up with
a cigarette between his teeth, twrling and
caressing waxed black moustache between
his white fingers.
"Ah! you are honored, ladies. You have
the company Of our gallant commander him
SELF I perceive" he said, with an ingratiat-
ing smile in Captain Lanes direction, as he
flung his cigarette overheard.
Honest Captain Lane strove to look amiable
but failed.
He had all the insular British distrust of a
compliment, and felt sort of half-angry
desire to say curtly enough
What does the fellow want by that, I
should like to know?'
However. his face cleared as he looked
again at Hilda, and he babe her and Nellie
Marston "Good-night," presently, and Joined
Grant over the bridge.
Madame sent me to see if you were warm
~ clad In this evening air." the count began,
in pleasant, soft voice, with just soupcon
of French accent; "she limited at wraps and
shawls, and feared colds"
"Colds!" scoffed Nellie; ION a night like
! this, with the thermometer up to-to-I don't
know what! she finished, lamely But
something nice and warm, anyway And YOU
may smoke if you like, count, for you always
look so excessively miserable when you
DON'T
Hilda was sitting now. her back to the pair
and her chin resting the brass rail, her
eyes fixed dreamily upon the silver pathway
that cleaned across the ocean and narrowed
to point in the far horizon.
1t pleased her to fancy this track of shining
moonlight was the pathway leading her to
the new life awaiting her in England
1t seemed to her on this night of soft
southern airs and mOonlt waters of solemn
silence, broken only by the music Of faintly-
stirring waves, as though she stood upon the
threshold of a fuller, brighter existence than
anything she had yet known or dreamed of.
CHAPTER IL
Eyes; I am, indeed, fond of the sea-" Hida.
was saying, one sunny day, as she sat on
deck; and the man who had been adjusting
a telescope on the rail for her and Nell
tucked it away now and turned towards her
Raymond Grant was tall and broad
shouldered.
His bronzed face was clear-cut and dark
eyed, and there was latent look of power
Of steadfastness and resolution, underlying
every feature, face than which many might
be handsomer and more striking at first sight
but face to trust instinctively
Nellie Marston sitting near with
madame and Count Villefranche, and ling
ling a good many silver bangles as she
wrestled with some intricate embroidery
She was full of coquettish airs and graces
as she talked, and it pleased Mr. Grant to
contrast her with the quiet charm and un
affected frankness of the girl he looked unon
as the poorer friend of the heiress.
Nell being a brilliant but very mechanical
player the passengers had welcomed his aid
warmly and few evenings had passed with
ont some duets between them.
"Fond of the sea- Then you are Aeood
sailor? And yet, fancy I had not seen vo,
on deck until that day we were introduced
"But was not ill., Mr.. Grant, for all that"
and Hilda laughed MY friend and madame
were, though-so dreadfully miserable that