Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-07-19

10 come with us to England.
He stood staring at 1t stupidity; then.
as the meaning Of the words dawned
upon him. fierce wave Of unreasona-
BILE resentment swept over him. Old
Lewiston had run across Lord Hill
march. and, considering him an eligi-
BILE son-in-law, had schemed to bring
the two together on the yacht. The
old, stale Observation-Disclosures heir
esses and the English aristocracy.
Would they never tire Of 1t?
With frOwn on his face, he made
his way slowly on deck. the telegram
still in his hand. A few yards away
Miss Lewiston was sitting in her deck
chair. studying book. She looked
up as the engineer appeared and
smiled. He crossed to her and held out
the telegram.
II found this on the stairs" he said.
shortly. He caught sight of the book
she was reading, and saw 1t was de
bretts Peerage." He felt exceedingly
bitter.
He remained down in the engine
room the rest Of the tlme-he felt al
most sulky.
The next day they anchored off Alex
andria and old Lewison with Lord
Hillmarch came on board. The engi-
neer kept out Of the way until they
went into the saloon for lunch, then he
seized the opportunity and went on
deck. He leaned over the taffrail and
gave himself up to his thoughts. An.
other hour or so and she would have
passed out of his life forever. In his fit
Of abstraction he had not noticed a tor.
pedO destroyer that was out for prac-
tice. She was going at quarter speed
past the yacht.
Suddenly a voice broke on his ears.
why, it's Kenyon, by Jove! How
are you, old man"
The engineer awoke from his reverie
with a start. A few yards away the
brOnzed face of the lieutenant of the
destroyer was laughing at him.
Cant keep away from the old game,
l see-lucky chap to be able to choose
your own fancy boat Will you come
round and see us tonight"
The destroyer was some distance
away by now, and the last words came
in shout. The engineer nodded and
waved his hand.
Then a slight noise behind him made
him swing round.
He saw Miss Fay Lewiston a1d Lord
Hillmarch standing at the open door of
the companion. The girl was watching
him.
HE called you Kenyon" she said,
wonderingly.
Lord Hillmarch stepped forward. He
was an almost middle-aged little man,
with a kindly face. He held out his
hand to the engineer.
That happens to be his name, you
know-Dennis Kenyon" he said, with
smile.
Miss Lewison was still more bewll-
dered. you know him"
slightly" he replied. "You see. his
estate adjoins mine at home"
But he has been our engineer" she
cried.
There was pause. Lord Hillmarch
shot little alert look at Kenyon and
stroked his mustache. The girl stood
waiting for an explanation. Kenyon
gave nervous laugh.
"There isn't really much to explain"
he said. "You see. before an uncle
died and left me a bothering lot Of
money and an estate, was an engl-
neer In the navy-you just heard one Of
my old messmates hail me-" He gave
jerk of his finger toward the de-
strOyer. "YOu know the rest. l was
idling about Gibraltar when I acct
dentally heard your trouble about the
engineer. did 1t on impulse-I sup
pose" He hesitated. II suppose
must have strain Of romance some.
where in my composition" he added
lamely.
She did not speak. He moved his
head slightly and her gaze met bis.
Lord Hillmarch looked from one to an
other critically, then a slight smile
crept over his Insignificant little face.
He pulled out his cigarette case.
"Supposlng," he observed, dryly, I'VE
| all be delightfully."- frank with one an.
other"
The two turned to him with a start.
II just love frankness!' said Miss
May.
Lord Hillmarch lighted his cigar.
| cite.
"Then, as beginning" he said cool.
| ly, I'm remark that don't think Ill
cone to England In the yacht with you.
I rather fancy, you know, that being
thirty eight, and somewhere about five
feet two In stature, with a bald head
into the bargain, I will adhere to my
old resolution and admire nothing but
my own charming self HOw's that
for frankness?"
"Giganticw said Kenyon.
| The little lord smiled.
"rhen I'll leave you to do your
SHARE" he observed. and strolled away.
The two stared at one another blank.
ly: then suddenly they both laughed.
ITS all very ridiculous" said Miss
Lewiston.
Kenyon grew sober again.
II suppose" he said. slowly. II must
be leaving the ship now. unless"
He paused and looked at her intently.
UNLESS by remote chance you also
have" His voice died away ner.
vously.
"WhatT she said, with her eyes on
the deck.
"A strain Of romance somewhere In
your composition" He finished In al
most whisper.
She lifted her head and saw him
looking at her pleading There was a
vague something that appealed to her.
And he was undoubtedly very much in
love with her. Her lips parted in a
ho1f emilio