Year: 1871

But though J. mad now feW opportunities oil
conversation with Wallworth for any length
Of time together, noticed that he appear
cd to be gloomy and anxious, and that his
uneasiness of mind seemed to increase as
we approached home


One evening, when VIC were within few
days sail of the English coast, Iwent upon
deck and found him walking about in the
abstracted mood that had now become ha-
bitual to him. After watching him a few
minutes, joined him in his promenade,
and began to rally him about his absent
manner; but as was always the case when
spoken to on the subject, he by an effort
threw off all appearance of uneasiness, and
rastled away in his former lively style.
Despite his efforts, however, to appear at
ease, he soon relapsed into silence, and
seemed to be scarcely conscious that l was
accompanying him. Finding that his si-
lent fit was likely to last, 1 left him. Early
on the following morning he came into my
berth, saying that he had come thus early
to apologize for his apparent want of cour-
tesy on the preceding evening.


"Don't mention it, my dear fellow" /
said it is I who ought to apologize for
intruding upon you when your mind was
so evidently preoccupied."


Well, at the time you spoke to me,
WILL" he answered, Il was thinking deep
ly upon subject that, though very ordi-
nary one in itself, is at present, owing to
attendant circumstances, very painful one
to me-"


"Well, Harry, have no wish to pry in
to your Secrets" / said, "but may ask
if it is anything that has occurred on board
that has caused you to be so thoughtful of
late, for during the run out you were hap
py and light-hearted enough"


go no,' he replied "the subject on
which was thinking has not the remotest
connection with The ship or any one on
board of her. The fact of the matter is,
continued Wallworth after a pause, and
speaking abruptly, "it's the old, old story.
I'm in love, and as 1 can see no prospect of
the course of my love eger running smooth
I'm miserable. If it wont be bore to you
to listen to my private affairs, he resumed
before could speak " I'll explain. my po-
sition to you. fee, that it would be re-
lief to my mind to tell it to some friend,
and besides, you will perhaps be able to
give me some advice" t..t..,, l...rr
Ireplied that if could assist him by
advice, or any other means in my power,
should be happy to do so In a low hur-
ried tone, he commenced to tell the story
of his love. Briefly put, it was to the eff
feet that he was engaged to a Miss Foster
the only daughter of Liverpool merchant.
AT the time the engagement was made he
was considered good match for her but his
altered circumstances making a material
difference, he had offered to release her from
the engagement. To this she replied, that he
did her an injustice if he supposed that the
change in his fortunes could make her de-
sirous of being freed from Encouragement,
and that she would wait for him until he
could make such position for himself as to
justify him in marrying girl who, though
undomesticated and rather extravagantly
brought up would, for his sake, do all in
her power to amend her faults.


"Well, Wallworth," l said, whom he
had got thus far, 81 see nothing in this to
be miserable about. ] think the young
lady spoke in manner honorable to her
self and encouraging to YOU


:" 1t is not what she said that makes me
miserable" !" he answered. She spoke like
the noble-hearted girl she is. It's what
said myself that causes my anxiety
spoke as if was quite certain of realizing
a fortune in few years, and that may
have had the effect in inducing her to speak
as she did. But you know that practical
ly speaking, the making of "a fortune is an
extremely difficult affair +; and even if IL Is
accomplished, it generally requires many
years of patient toll to do it. l can hardly
expect a beautiful girl-one who is constant
4 ly sought after by men of wealth and po
sition-to waste the best years Of her life
in waiting a contingency that must at the
best be distant and is at present very
1 doubtful one. In short, Will" he said
rising from the box on which he had beer
seated, and speaking more passionately
than he had hitherto done, 81 think that
shall lose her, and the thought of it makes
me wretched and unhappy ia


In this frame of mind he continued Il
the end of the voyage, all my efforts t.
show him that no took an unnecessaril,
despondent view Of his position proving il
vain.