The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-04
CHAPTER X
Continued.
Il nnccihle2n he ran1ied.

herself composedly in one of the shell
tered deck chairs.
why, I expected a child, a little
school girl; but I cannot say that l
regret it," said Arthur, quietly. u
must confess to some misgiving as to
her behavior, and the extent Of my
responsibilities"
But on what grounds did you ex-
pect a small child?"
"Your-your fathers letter, and
also the way he repeatedly spoke OF
YOU. He always alluded to you as
his little girl, his little child. 1 now
see that it may only have been a term
of en~dearment."
do you know my father, Mon
sieur?"
Yes" answered Arthur. II met
him at my uncle's, Mr.. Denstone's'
home"
Mr.. D%enstone is, then, your IN
cle?" exclaimed Antoinette. Indeed,
we have, then. both of US, explana-
lions to receive. I am glad you were
not the only one to be deceived. You,
for instance, in no way resemble the
individual I was led to expect. My
go~yerness told me that I was to be
escorted by one of MI. Denstone S
clerks"
What did you expect them" said
Arthur, laughing a little. 1T is quite
true that l am n of my uncles
clerks; or, rather, I am to be one"
~Of course, my g%overness under
stood that it would be-in short,
somebody very unlike you. Now that
I see the mistake, l must ask you to
forgive me for the peremptory char
acter of my letter. 1t was meant for
the solemn old clerk, in a snuff-col-
ored suit with blue spectacles, of my
imagination. Tell me-" said she, sud-
denly, how did you think my father
was looking? have not seen him
for such a long time-such a very,
very long time
Il can be no judge Of his looks"
answered Arthur, "for I never saw
him before. He does not look Ill,
but he is nervous somehow. I think
he wants somebody to take care OF
him."
Il thought So" she said quickly.
~If he will let me, I will doomy very
best to make him happy; but I have
nc knowledge of home life. I spent
all my holidays at school; that is not
a good preparation" she added, visit
fully.
II don't think any preparation will
be necessary, Mademoiselle Rigaud.
You will find a father who is old,
lonely and in need Of you. Your in
stincts will be all-suficient."
Thank you," she said, simply.
Arthur felt deeply interested in his
companion. There was something
touching, even pathetic in the sound
of her voice, which was lower and
fuller than most girls voices are. He
could not see what she was like by
the ftful harbor lights, ever had she
taken off her veil; but he fancied
that her appearance must be as in
teresting as her voice. But it was
growing late, the sea air was becom-
ing bitterly cold, the motion of the
steamer increasing every moment as
she danced and bounded, light sheets
of spray began to scud owe the deck.
Are you a good sailor?" said Ar
thur.
"Oh, yes. I do not mind the toss
ing" she answered. But all the
same, 1 think 1 should like to go down
stairs. I am not very brave. I would
rather not see it. Will you take me?"
She held his arm with both her
hands, and, indeed, was clinging to
him with all her might before he sue
ceeded in landing her safely in the
cabin.
(, 81 had no idea that it would be so
difficult to move she said, laughing
a little. And now, thank you, good
night, sleep we'll"
Arthur was up and on deck by
sunrise the next morning; but early
as it was, he found his charge already
there. The sea had Gained down,
and they were o running fast with
the tide. and only plunging very
slightly from time to time.
Mademoiselle Rigaud vas standing
at the head of the cabin stairs when
he came on deck, leaning against the
doorway.
Arthur offered her his hand to help
her to gain one of the deck-seats;
she was evidently afraid of v%enturing
alone, though she laughed at her own
fears when she found how much
easier it was to walk than it had been
the night before.
Antoinette had tied a large black
Shetland shawl round her head and
over her shoulders.
81 must preserve my hat from the
spray" she said. Salt water is very
destructive, and if this hat were
spoilt it would be long before l
should be able to replace it."
Indeed" said Arthur, who was
amused at her naivete. and thought it
the most charming thing he had ever
encountered in his life. But 1 as
sure you you need not concern your
self about It, your father is very
rich"
You are mistaken" she said, cold
ly. "Quite mistaken; on the con-
trary, we are very poor"
Arthur remembered Monsieur Ri
gaud's strange condolences.
But" he began hastily-then
checked himself. If her father chose
to conceal the fact Of his great wealth