The Cairo bulletin., 1905-01-21

SURROUNDED by her guests.
"My dear Earl" she cooed softly. 81
am so glad TO see youl As soon rs
am at leisure | will hunt up Nellie
| Penton and introduce you"
! But Earl as soon as possible slipped
away in the crowd He knew he was
q fool, but the thought of spending
those moonlt hours with the hOmely
| Nellie and this other woman within
reach was intolerable If he could only
talk to tho latter for few moments
out there in the starlight by the rail,
how delightful it would be! But he
sternly forbade himself TO seek SO
much as an introduction to her. He
knew his duty to the proprieties, and
there was no use in running his neck
Or his heart into a metaphorical moose
| So after chatting with some chance
acquaintance he found a quiet nook
on the pilot deck and sat smoking
and watching the stars reflected in the
water, dreaming an idle dream of what
might have BEEN
But presently he was aware that
some one stood behind his chair. A
hand fell on his shoulder and then II
clear voice said softly:
Having pleasant time, Jack, dear?
You were wise to come up here. It's
awfully stuffy dancing in the cabin.
| literally ran away from Mrs. German,
who wished me 10 play the agreeable
to one of her bachelor proteges."
A dozen emotions fought for domi-
nance in Earls consciousness. He
knew he should declare himself, but
der dissipated his resolution. He sim
ply could not tell her to take that hand
away; every nerve in his body was re-
spending TO it's gentle pressure.
WAS not that strange meeting as
we came inT' continued the girl "For
moment | thought | had 'em, as
you bad boys say. Then | saw your
two faces yours clean shaver, his with
a mustache, and my reason was re-en-
throned. | knew | was not seeing
double l wonder who he is. lie is
certainly very handsome, and his eyes
Il should adore a man with eySs like
that.'
The blood was racing through Earl's
veins, mingling a tumultuous happi-
ness with his embarrassment Each
moment an announcement Of his iden-
tity seemed more imperative and at the
same time more impossible. He could
imagine her confusion If she now dis
covered her mistake He had waited
too long; there WAS nothing to do but
keep up the deception and trust TO
fate SO he sat QUITE still while she
babbled on for a few moments about
the interesting stranger. Then she
pulled his ear softly and ran away.
Earl relieved at the turn of affairs,
followed her slowly and unnoticed to
the deck below. where she paused in
the belt of light that streamed from
the cabin door. Inside Jack was dane
ing with pretty girl and looking I'M
utterably tender things into her up
turned eyes. Seeing him, the woman
outside stopped as If suddenly strick-
en- with some moveless horror, Was
she jealous? Earl wondered and would
gladly have throttled Jack for her
But evidently jealousy was not the
trouble. Shespassed her hand quickly
over her eyes and then looked back
over her shoulder up the stair she had
just descended, storm of questioning
annoyance in her eyes. Then Earl
knew she understood, and he stepped
boldly out of the shadow beside her
and lifted his hat.
II most humbly beg your pardon" he
began, but got no further, for Mrs.
German came out of the opposite shad-
ow and exclaimed in delight:
''Well, here at last have you two to-
gether Earl, this is Miss Penton, Of
whom | told you, and. Nellie, this is
Mr. Hargis. the crusty bachelor whose
heart is said to be invulnerable and on
whom wish you to try your sharpest
arrows Run along, now, both of you,
to the end of this deck. Supper is just
being served"
She hustled on into the cabin with
her invitation, and the two in the band
OF light stood staring at each other.
"How do you happen TO be dressed
Just as you are" she demanded, 'and
how dared you sit up yonder''-
But he interrupted with another
question. you are not Jacks wifeY
Jacks wife! OF course not. I'm his
sister
"His sister? Thank heaven! Say,
let the supper go hang. and come back
to the upper deck. have yards and
miles of apologies TO make. Come,
please" He drew her to the stair, and
in a few minutes two pairs of eyes
saw the broken star shine from the
pilot deck.
ut was deueedly impertinent in me
to use your taste that way" Earl con-
Guided penitently when he had told her
how he had eavesdropped her in the
shops. Il can't be sorry, but-won't
you forgive me anyhow"
II might forgive that, but you let
me stand here with my hand on your
shoulder and say
And say you'd adore man with
eyes like mine? Yes, thank heaven,
you said it, and l heard it,"
She stood up. will you take me