The Washington times., 1904-02-28

and then about the water. about a sail
or's life. about soldiers. and the Euro
pean armies. Of icebergs. whalers, and
other incidents of his many previous
trips She answered for the most part
in monosyllables. smiling sweetly from
time to time when he made point. and
following all he said with what was evil
IDENTIFY a modest, girlish interest.
He was more than content with him
self as he passed from subject to sub
ject. in his deliberate, hesitating way.
With hattered vanity. he smiled back in
answer to her smiles. and listened
deferentially to her low. short replies
And now and then. as the talk went on.
he found occasion TO steal soft glances
deep down into her iiTnpid blue eyes.
They had been standing there to-
gether for some time. when a dance
began among the steerage passengeRs
on the deck below. The notes % an
accordion attracted a crowd Of specta-
tors, who left their steamer chairs 10
press about the ratings that command
ed a view from above.
The steerage passengers are anus
ing themselves" Allan suggested.
Would you like to watch them min
ute?"
Again a look of distress fitted over
her countenance. and for an instant
she held back dubiousIy, as though fear
ful of accepting his invitation. Then.
in the absence of a plausible reason.
she allowed herself to consent, and they
walked forward to the crowd that was
looking down on the deck below.
Il always like 20 see them dance he
volunteered. with touch OF disdain in
his voice, after they had taken in the
scene. They seem to enjoy themselves
so much"
They were leaning against the railing.
his head quite close to hers, and he saw
her nod. while he was speaking. 10 some
one across the bridge. Following the
direction Of her eyes, he perceived tail
blonde girl, Smartly dressed and OF
rather naughty denteanOr, who stood at
the railing opposite As she was smll-
ing back at his companion, ThOrndyke
touched his cap with a stolid dignity
that would have done him credit on the
most fashionable avenue of New York
Then, by chance, he noticed Mr.. Van
Rensselaer, Brown, who also happened
to be stationed opposite; Z nd II was not
altogether with displeaslIre that he
found himself observed in converse ton
with the winsome creature at hts SIDE.
Mr.. Brown raised his hat respectfully.
as their eyes met, and was answered
with another composed salute
Thorndyke Allan was readjusting his
cap to it's exact position on his carefully
arranged head when he became con
SCiOuS Of a movement ut his shoulder
His companion had slipped away quiet
" from the railing and seemed TO be
hurrying 10 get beyond his sight. He
was surprised and confused at this dis
covery. and instinctively turned to fol-
low her. But he checked himself at the
thought OF appearing ridiculous, and
leaning over the railing with an asSump
ton Of renewed interest, he pretended
10 take no notice Of the desertion.
There was a lull in the dancing below.
and the crowd OF spectators had gradu-
ally dispersed, some to take up again
the interrupted promenade. while others
returned 10 the torpor Of their steamer
chairs. ThOrndyke Allan remained for
a while at the railing. and attempted TO
think himself amused by his thrilling
adventure. Then. as he began his meas
uTed strides once more. he came upon
Mr.. Van Rensselaer, Brown, who seemed
Mr. Allan. my daughter is on deck
and ! should be happy TO present you. II
You are very kind. I assure you. Mr.
Van Rensselaer, Brown" responded
Allan. Nothing in the world could
please me more
Mr. Brown touched his arm and guided
him forward, along the deck. and across
in front of the cabin to the other side
of the ship.
She's right here. ne said, as they
turned the corner
A slender figure in a blue serge gown
was standing by a steamer chair jEst
in front Of them. II was she, Allan's
heart gave a mighty leap and started
beating madly, while his thoughts swan
round like a man who suddenly onds
himself overheard. struggling with the
waves Mingled with the consciousness
of being a fool. there came a flush OF
wild citation that carried him back 10
his romantic visions. What would she
say2 And what should he?
A girl in the steamer chair was saying
something to her. as .hey approached.
and she was attempting 10 answer. But
she had evidently caught sight of him.
and, looking quickly away. she blushed
my daughter. let me present NJ
Thorndyke Allan. His eyes were on
the slender girl in blue. but her crimson
face was still bent down Then he
glanced at the other in the steamer
chair. IL was the tall blonde who haG
nodded when they were watching the
steerage passengers, and she was Miss
Van Rensselaer, Brown.
Allan made worthy effort to cover
the error. by twisting his bow to the
steamer chair. Then, with the greatest
presence of mind. he Strengthened HIM
self formally and half turned, smiling.
to the standing figure in blue. He was
expecting 10 be presented to her also,
and for a minute the pause was aWk-
ward. The smile hardened on his face
and distorted his features. Mr.. Van
Rensselaer, Brown and Miss Van Rens-
Selaer Brown seemed suddenly deprived
of the power to speak.
IL occurred to Allan that. inasmuch as
ne and the girl in blue had been seen
talking together on the deck, IL was
natural to suppose them already az
Quainted. So he bowed to her defCreu-
TALLY. wishing that he knew her name.
Then. with an assumed assurance, he
addressed Miss Van Rensselaer, Brown.
This Is an unexpected pleasure he
said, Ito find you and AIiSS-JO md you
two acQuainteJ; and with a graceful
sweep he glanced at them IN turn. One
was blushing violently, while the Dt'S='s
face was filled with naughty = iris.
The father moved restlessly. 40 one
spoke.
The conviction dawned on Thorndyke
Allan that something was wrong. bat he
succeeded in retaining his self-corapOs-
urC. and waited inQuiringly for the
mystery to be solved.
Miss Van Rensselaer, Brown looked n
him with strange expression. she
looked at her father. and finally 1T the
girl in blue. The silence continued until
IL became embarrassing Then an IN
pleasant smile came over her face.
You've made a mistake. ! think Mr.
Allan That's my maid