The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-09
CERALD STANLEY'S
~ INVENTION.
A Love Affair on an Ocean Steamer
and Triumph Of Ameri-
can Ingenuity.
Copyright, 1903. BY +. B. Wright.

ampton, and the grand saloon was nlied
with passengers listening to the struggles
of an impromptu quartet In the shadow
Of the after cabin, whence the music came
family to their ears, mingled with the
splashing OF waves, Mr.. Gerald Stanley
sat talking with girl.
She was a pretty girl, as the faint star
shine showed; and what was more, she was
the girl as far az Stanley was concerned.
He had been conscious of that fact from
the moment he saw her come aboard four
days before.
As for her. she had just heard him tell
her 40, and a. abe remained in her place
il is TO be presumed she took it not unkindly.
Now they were discussing the great wonder
OF it all and diving darkly into the future.
"Ah, but mamma will never consent,
never Miss Ethel higgins was saying,
"at least not until the Count ia out Of the
way"
Count! don't believe he ia any Count.
He's probably bogus
.Oh. he's a Count all right. Mamma
looked him up in the Almanach de Gotha '
De Brissac is one Of the oldest names in
France
ANY one can take a name. Names are
cheap enough. know the fellows mere
fortune-hunter.
But how can you prove it, Mamma
won't hear a word against him, even from
me-and you know che wouldn't believe
YOU. I'm afraid mamma doesn't like you
very we'll She doesn't know you as
do"
NO; she doesn't show any extreme pleas
ure in my presence; and she'd like mo less.
suspect, II she knew what intend to take
from her one Of these days. I suppose I
ought to tell her
NO, 1t would only moan an awful row.
and should be forbidden ever TO see you
again. She's set her heart on my marrying
the Count, and half thought would once
but now-I hate him.
mo, we've got to wait until your invention
makes you rich and famous. as know 1t
will. It's wonderful invention and arm
awfully proud Of you
Stanley laughed.
Much you know about it. don't believe
you understood word told you Of it,
Il did It's an electric something for-for
for. Anyway think the model is beau-
tiful. and know it's wonderful. because
you made it
And while I am making this electric
something win mo success and fortune
can't see anything Of you.
"A year or two without you! / don't
like to think OF it. How do know when
at last I come for you that you may not have
married the Count after all--or at any
rate. forgotten mel'
As il l could forget you, Gerald"
There was pause In tho talk hero for
interested. and 1t was some time before the
conversation became anything more than
disiointed phrases.
~Ah, I wish this night could last for
ever" said Stanley at last. 'The sea and
the music and the stars and you! And to
think that in two days we will have to say
good-by."
And yet two days may be an awfully
long time. It's only four since I met you,
and yet feel az II I had known you always.
What fun we had those first two stormy
days
Il wish the storm had lasted until we
reached New York. It would have kept
the Count in his berth. anyway
Mamma wouldn't thank you for that
wish. You forget how horribly sick she
was"
Il didn't mean that Of course-only
ever since your mother got out on deck
again I've had mighty little chance of
seeing you alone until tonight.
Il ought not to have told you how I felt
tonight, suppose-ought TO have waited
until I was able to give you a home. but
! couldn't take the chance OF never seeing
you again
will you really care year from now"
said Miss Ethel: not that she doubted,
but that she wanted to hear him say he
would.
Stanley was about 70 reply when Ethel
held up a warning hand.
Hush" she cried. Mamma" and Stan
ley turned to see Mrs. Higgins and Count
de Brissac coming toward them.
The concert over Mrs. Higgins was hunt
ing for her daughter, severity in her eye,
Where have you been, Ethel?" she Dried.
The Count and have been looking every
where for you. supposed you were right
behind us. and instead I find you sitting
out here in this damp air.
Most imprudent, I call il. I should
have thought Mr.-er-Stanley am so
forgetful Of names-would have had more
thought than to ask you"
We've only been here a few minutes"
replied Ethel hurriedly. Il was just going
TO look for you. Mr.. Stanley has been
telling me all about his new invention
Simply fascinating' l was 80 interested
You must get Mr.. Stanley to show it to you"
she added to the Count.
IL shall be most happy" replied that
gentleman politely. II know Messing Of
mechanics. but am interest. Tomorrow
will view him. but now, Madame Higgins
is waiting. Permit me-"
Stanley watched the two until they dis
appeared and cursed the luck that sent
Mrs, Higgins and her informal Count. Then
suddenly happy thought struck Stanley.
He went down to his cabin, turned on the
incandescent lamp. and hauling ont his
trunk took from il small model Of COM
picated machinery, He put it on the edge
OF the basin, and, sitting on the edge of his
berth, cogitated profoundly
at will do" he said at last. With a
wire and push button under the carpet
| can make it click And blufr - American
bhIn will do the rest.
After all there is some sense in being
an inventor, and this old machine of mine,
with a little gumption, will work out.
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