me very coarse, common-place
persons--planters from the interior of Louisiana--rich and vulgar; but
the daughter is beautiful--a blonde, with lovely hair, full of sunshine,
and eyes of that deep purplish blue which one seldom sees after
childhood. Her figure is petite but finely rounded. She has all the
health and freshness of a child, with the sweetest graces of womanhood.
Yes, I can say this, and acknowledge the charm of her beauty, though she
has given me the most wretched day I ever passed in my life.

"James Harrington had known her before, and was rejoiced at the meeting.
When he saw her across the deck my hand was on his arm, for we were
walking together. The start he gave shook off my hold and, with both
hands extended, he went to meet her, glad as I had never seen him
before.

"The girl blushed like a rose, and came forward to meet him, quite half
way, smiling up in his face as I had never dared to smile through all
the months of our domestic intercourse. My heart turned cold. I felt a
strange contraction about my mouth as if all the blood were retreating
from the lips, which would not syllable a word when he brought the young
lady towards me and presented her.

"She looked at me earnestly, like a child who felt itself repulsed, and
stood silent as if expecting me to come out of my reticence and receive
her as every one evidently did.

"At last I spoke with an effort, and I dare say brusquely, for I felt
that my voice sounded forced and cold.

"'You are an old friend--you have known Gen. Harrington and his family
before?' I said.

"'Oh yes,' she answered, smiling up at James. 'We are old friends. How
long is it, Mr. Harrington, since you taught me to ride? Indeed, Miss
Crawford, I think he has taught me almost everything worth knowing that
I can boast of.'

"I made an effort to smile, and answered in the insincerity of my pain,
that it must have been a pleasant task to instruct so lovely a pupil.

"She laughed sweetly, and replied in her childish fashion, 'He used to
say as much, but I am sure it was only to encourage me.'

"Just then her father crossed the deck, radiant with pleasure, and
shouted a greeting as he came. He was a large, heavy man, robust and
genial, overshadowed by a broad Panama hat, and flourishing a large
white handkerchief in his hand, as if it had been the star spangled
banner, which was to open the heart of every American he met.

"'Hallo! We have overtaken them at last, have w