Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-06

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distressed him to think that his wife should
suffer, and he determined To let Miss Brand
understand that their position toward each
other must be that of total strangers
throughout the voyage. 1t was a painful
situation for all parties, but there was on
" one course for him take.
He prevailed on Annie to goto her cab
in early, and under plea Of smoking a
cigarette, he returned to the deck, where
Miss Brand and the Caruthers still were.
Adelaide Brand was sitting in her chair
silent, and a little apart from the others.
when Dick passed her.
MIR. Munro, he heard her call; and
he turned round to reply, for this was the
opportunity he was watching for. II did
not lessen the trying nature OF the moment
when he looked up and saw that her eyes
were full Of tears.
...Ah, Dick ~ she exclaimed.
Hush, for Gods sake - he whispered.
Listen. we must be strangers, pity you
from my soul / do; and had known
you were coming, would have for
feited my passage rather than have sub
iected you or my wife to this ordeal.
leave myself out Of the question. have
but one duty, and that you must see and
know For the future we must be strang-
ers ; 1t cannot be otherwise, after all that
has happened. Forgive me and pity NE I;
God knows | feel for you. God bless
you.
He spoke in low, hurried, voice. In a
few minutes all was said. and he went for
ward to smoke his cigarette. leaving her
in despair. She had seen and read his
face, and knew but too well how deter
mined he was. And he was right. she
knew that From first to last the misfor-
tune was hers-the fault not his. She
was the prey Of the gods. and must sub,
nit that Is il she could without breaking
down utterly. Strangers That was
what he said. There was only one way Of
obeying him. It might kill her. perhaps,
but she would do it-she would never see
him again.
II was far on into the dawn when Annie
awoke. The ship had made some way
during the night. and they were now out
ut sea the morning was glorious, and the
sun about to rise. Tempted by the novel
ty Of the sight, Annie got up and set be-
side her square open port.
She enjoyed watching the blue-green
sea throwing up its crests Of white foam.
Here and there were other ships. some
homeward and others outward bound. and
beyond, the long line of English cliffs
rose from the sea and seemed to care not
for the love they inspired in the hearts Of
those approaching them, or those who
might never see these shores again She
was about to return to her berth. when
her attention was arrested by sigh that
came. as she thought from without the
ship.
Bending forward through the open port.
she saw Adelaide Brand. who was leaning
from her port and weeping bitterly.
There was no thought. ~ there was no
fear of her falling overheard. for her
cabin was opposite to the main chains.
that hung before her window or port.
Her attitude was evidently one of de-
spair, As If calling upon the sea and sky
to help and pity her.
At once Annie defined the cause of her
sorrow. To her it was no secret.
The situation was pitiable in the extreme
for both women. At that moment. Dick
who was dreaming, gave troubled sigh
in his sleep.
"And this is to last for four months. y
thought Annie. with a sob.
at il impossible ! 1t cannot be How
shall we all live through it ? And Dick
Poor Dick She longed. if she might,
to comfort the poor creature in the next
cabin. but consolation from her, Annie
thought. would be irony. Well, God
knows she pitied her"
"Annic." cried Dick. starting up from
his troubled sleep. and dismayed on see.
ing his wife in tears. What on earth is
the matter? Why are you cryingP This
Is unkind."
She suffered tine reproach rather thar
distress him by telling what she had
seen.
So she teigned that she had been think
ing OF home, and looking at England for
the last time. She was so devoted to
Dick that she would have said anything
rather than grieve him, or let him suppose
she was dwelling on the trouble that had
befallen them.
And indeed with all truth, had he
touched on the subject she could have told
him that her jealousy was swallowed up
by pity, and her one desire was, short OF
giving up Dick. to make the poor girl
in the next cabin happy.
For many successive days Miss Brand
never appeared either at the table or on
deck. She refused to leave her cabin.
The doctor was called in. and came out
looking grave.
The Caruthers. the Blundells all besought
her. in vain. to make an effort. but she was
resolute. She pleaded sea-sickness. lam
guor. finally grew excitable.
Nothing should tempt me to move. ="
she said
Continued Tomorrow