A Little Queen of Hearts - An International Story

somebody who has preferred remaining at home, and rising as early as need he, to boarding the steamer the night before and spending it tied to a n

eave of the maids, who were smiling and crying all in one, after the manner of an Irish parting. And now even that is done with, and the carriage rolls off, and the wagon-load of steamer trunks and bags jogs after, and Mary and Bridget and Norah dry their eyes on their respective aprons, and go back to a general cleaning up today, and like as not to Coney Island to-morrow. And what if they do, thinks their mistress. Indeed, she is altogether willing that they should, for if there is ever a time when the contrasts in life will not be overlooked it is when you are on your way to the steamer. It seems

eleste, when the excitement of immediate departure had

day, dear, for you to do an

would be if he didn't. He knows about you, though,

ris; "so be sure you don't go back on me either of you.

mother answered as significantly, and which gave Mr. Harris to unde

htfully, "if we didn't like Harold, wouldn't it? An

ith this trip of ours? But no sooner are we actually off, scarce ten minutes from home, in fact, than the great, uncomfortable, intimidating creatures come trooping in from every quarter, and the particu

ders; "but you can't help thinking about th

at least, he was when I was in Windsor four years ago; but you se

say anything about Ted in his

or Harold would have said something about it which was rather w

a bit afraid about Harold-I love him already, but I don't feel sure about Ted, somehow." And

r; "there are wonderful places in England, which I mean

they treat us," chi

py faces. Tears were for eyes that left nearest and dearest behind, not for those who took them with them; and yet a wistful look, that was often to be seen on Mrs. Harris's expressive face, deepened as the Majestic steam

Marie-Celeste softly, and her father pressed the

p of arrowroot, which the stewardess had made ready for her, she passed on up the stairs and out on to the saloon deek, looking as fresh and sweet in her dres

nd purposes, and no land anywhere, and yet not so much as the suggestion of a chill or a creep. She turned round and looked at the ship, and smiled at the man at the wheel, and guessed she knew what the trouble was, and guessed right. She wasn't a bit afraid; that was the secret of her disappointment, if it could in truth be ealled a disappointment. It was sueh a beautiful, stanch, great ship, with its large masts and spars and network of interlacing halyards, that its wideness meant more to her just then than even the wideness of the sea; and she felt so safe and at home on it withal, that all the expected uncanny sensations had need to be postponed to some more favor

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ed she had some one to enjoy it with her; and a few minutes later the wish came true, and in such delightfully surprising fashion. Just as she was nearing the break in the saloon deck that grants an

alized in a flash why some people keep their state-rooms at sea in the early morning. But of course there was only the merest little suggestion of a sympathetic thought to spend on the poor, white lady, with Chris Hartley but just discovered, and after that one instant of transfixed surprise she sped toward him, both hands extended; and over the gate that divides the first f

rst words that formed themselves into a sentence af

and so I chose this

haven't seen you since the day

two I learned you were going on the Majestic, and I hurried right over to the office and secured the last berth they had left

should lik

nificantly at the

erstand; "don't they a

f himself; "but of course it's all right. I couldn't affor

evously, and yet soberly too, for she foresaw what innumerable good times w

gravely, "that

hat, C

ll just have to have little

e instant precisely what steps she would take. "I'll manage that; and now tell me, Chris,

do you thin

ger to waste any ti

and, of

glish," she said, with surprise

answered; "but really, I don't see

ish people-different from us. I had heard they were, a

you see, I'm not exactly real English, I've been in the States so long;" a

nd a few moments later the little buglers appeared simultaneously on both s

ng English for y

mean?" with p

s the Engli

ves eat puddi

wives ea

he words tha

ingly repeating their strain, and Marie-Celeste disc

asked presently, as C

es make. It's cheap and nourishing. We don't have

e, and there's no end to the good times we'll have together; but I guess I'd better go now. I shouldn't wonder if mamma

be pretty hard to bear. And so Chris suddenly found himself face to face with the class distinctions that seem inevitable in this social world of ours, and in a way that might turn all the bright anticipations for this voyage into the reality of a most disagreeable experience. Yes, there was no doubt about it, he had acted like a fool; and rather than run the chance of being "made to know his place," as the phrase has it, he believed he would have kept out of the way of Marie-Celeste all the way over if he had thought of it in time; but we, of course, believe nothing of the sort. How could he ever have had the heart to carry out such a doleful resolution, and what a pity if he had tried to! The truth was, Chris had too low an opinion of himself altogether. He had an idea, for instance, that he was a very plain-looking sort of a fellow, whereas there was something about him that made him distinctly noticeable

bow, and to the doorway of a room there, which

lowed in here, are the

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ain, looking up from a chart sp

face aflame with embarrassment. Now, if there is a class of men anywhere who believe in what we were speaking of a minute ago (that is, a man's knowing his place), they are the captains of the ocean steamers. It is of course nothing but the enforcement of this very rule that renders ocean travel the safe and comfortable thing it is, and that assures you, even in case of accident, that the strictest discipline will be

on some special errand. If so, I should be glad to have you come in," and the captain stood up and motioned Marie-Celeste to a seat on the other side of the tabl

stepped up the two steps into the room, but she refused

quite sure now I oughtn't to have interrupted you, and I

aid the captain, quite won over

so kind I dared

down, else, you see, you'll keep me standing; too, and tell me right away what th

l: first, could you let me sometimes

uld; but what f

nger, and he's the postman in our street; but it

rdly, I

r for me to climb over it, wo

aid that wou

There isn't any other way, I sup

s, and I'll show

e captain's sleeve from an impulse of sheer gratitude, and

o ask first," he said; "I am an

won't bother yo

ld me;" and the captain detained the l

e and the crow's-nest-I was going to ask, if once in a while Chris could come over to the first cabin.

zled to know how to answer, "and it's against the regulati

g to pass the captain's room, glanced in, and glancing in

cannot imagine how my little daughter has found her way in here, or what favor she has made

ed the captain, "I shall be o

e-Celeste; "I was afraid papa would not like it. We'll go now, won't we?

Marie-Celeste, we would better ask

and I shall hope to have a call from you both very soon again," he added cordially as h

't want to cry here," and Marie-Celest

ffered her to lead him over the high sill that keeps the water from rushing indoors in rough weather, and past the main stairway, and into a fa

a little sob in her v

yed, Marie

dn't said 'my little daughter,' I should

atter what happens, and that's one reason I cannot bear

and then she proceeded to tell, as coherently as her emotions would allow, of her unexpected encounter with her old friend, and how dreadful it would have been if they could not have see

regulations, did he?" said Mr. Harris, imme

ething more on my mind, and made me tell him, and that was whether Chris could come to the first cabin sometimes, so as

in a different lig

-Celeste was fastidiously honest) the captain himse

o give a grain of comfort to his troubled little daughter, "but it would have been

he would, gave the little girl on his knee a good, hard hug, and bundled her off for a word with her mamma, comfortably tucked up in a steamer-chai