The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-07-18
A STRAIN OF ROMANCE.


more convinced was he that he had
made no mistake. This was no feet
Ing fancy; he was really in love.
Then came a bitter shock Of disap-
polntment. They were within q days
run Of Alexandria, and he was about
companion something white on one Of
the stairs caught his attention. He
picked IL up and found II was a teIe-
gram. Glancing al IL he saw that IL
was the cable that had been sent 20 her
at Gibraltar by her father Almost
uncOnsciOusly he read the few words:
"Get Scud 10 Alexandria by 22d with
out fail-Lord Hillmarch has promised
10 come with us 10 England"
He stood staring at il stupldly; then.
as the meaning OF the words dawned
upon him, fierce wave Of unreasona-
bic resentment swept over him. Old
Lewison had lun across Lord Hill
march, and considering him an eligi-
BILE son-in-law. had schemed 10 bring
the two together on the yacht. The
old, stale arrangement-Ameri heir
esses and the English aristocpacy.
Would they never tire of 1t?
With a frown on his face, he made
his way slowly on deck, the telegram
still in his hand. A few yards away
Miss Lewison was sitting in her deck
chair, studying a book. She looked
up as the engineer appeared and
smiled He crossed 10 her and held out
The telegram.
81 found this on the stairs" he said,
shortly. He caught sight Of the book
she was reading, and saw IL was DE
bretts Peerage." He felt exceedingly
bitter.
He remained down in the engine
room the rest of the time-he felt al
most sulky.
The next day they anchored off Alex
aGdria and old Lewison with Lord
llillmarch came on board. The engi-
necr 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
passed out of his life forever In his fit
of abstraction he had not noticed a tor
pedo destroyer that was out for prac-
tcc. 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 awokc from his revcrie
with start. 4 few yards away the
bron2ed face of the lieutenant of the
destroyer was laughing at him.
Cant keep away from the old game,
! see-lucky chap to be able to choose
your own fancy boat! W.ll you come
round and see us tonight"
The destroyer was some distance
away 10y now, and the last words came
in n shout The engineer nodded and
waved his hand.
Then a slight noise behind him made
him swing round.
He saw Miss Fay Lewison and Lord
Hillmarch standing at the open door of
the companion. The girl was watching
him.
He called you Kenyon" she said,
wonderingly.
Lord Hiilmarch stepped forward. He
was an almost middle-aced little man.
with kindly face. He held out his
hand 10 the engineer.
That happens to be his name, you
krow-Dennis Kenyon" he said, with
a smile.
Miss Lewison was still more bewil-
dered You know him."
slightly" he replied. "l.su see, his
estate adjoius mine at home"
But he has been our engineer" she
cried
There was n pause Lord Hillmarch
shot little alert look at Kenyon and
stroked his mustache The girl stood
waiting for an explanation. Kenyon
gave a nervous laugh.
There isn't really much 10 explain"
he said. You see. before an uncle
died and left me bothoring lot Of
money and an estate, was an engi-
uecr in the navy-you just heard one OF
my old messmates hail me- He gave
jerk Of his finger toward the de-
stroyCr. You know the rest. was
idling about Gibraltar when acci-
dentally heard your trouble about the
engineer ! did ii on Impulse sup
pose" He hestated. II suppose
| must have a strain Of romance some.
where in my composition he added
iamcly
she did not speak. lie moved his
head slightly and her gaze met his.
Lord ilillmarch looked from one to an
other critically. then a slight smile
crept over his Insignificant little face.
He pulled out his cigarette case.
"SuppoSing." he observed, dryly. we
all be delightfully."- frank with one an.
other"
The two turned 10 him with a start
~ just love franknoss" said Miss
May.
Lord ummarch lighted his cigar.
cite
"ThCn. as a beginning he said cool.
ly. "Ill remark that | don't think III
lone 10 England in the yacht with you.
rather fancy. you know. that being
thir,y-eight. and somewhere about i've
feet two in stature. with bald head
into the bargain. will adhere TO my
cid resolution and admire nothing but
my own charming self! How's that
for franknessf'
"Gigantic- said Kenyon.