Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-17

does nf611AS bat ul1sc 13ef. lone, 3e$
as take . brisk walk On deck before We
tarn IN
The fog was hiring and Stars were
zfuzDerlng family. The ocean S~ BE-
gnaAng ~ he~ys ia long swslls ana
w.a<us On ths roller wa< not An easy
msstw. We soen gave 1t up
In uUsn. wss not inehned 10 carry
the conversation furshsr. Travelling
on the Continent the year before,
had met the Masons, of Baltimore, and
had some acquaintance with them;
enough % know the character Of the
people ! had almost forgotten than.
bal II eli came hack 70 mo now--the
ponpsas. purse proud father. the ssabi-
noos mother and the pale, hssiees, silent
daughter. had no doubt that che was
pining for her young English sweet
heart. She looked like it, bat that did
not help matters any. At the time !
knew tho family 1t was reported that
shs was soon 70 marry French count.
who was always with her, and by this
time she was probably beyond the reach
Of my young friend the doctor.
After that voyage did not see George
Norwood for months. The next time l
crossed the water circumstances CON-
telled me 10 start suddanly, and missed
my favorise steamer. But ] did come
home on her.
In the hurry and confusion Of getting
on board saw the doctor for an instant
only. but when tho ship was well out to
sea and tina eustls OF sailing day was
over, wen. 70 the smoking room TO find
hun. tie was not there; neither was he
In his etAteroom, and sat down on the
dee.A alone. The spell of the sea had
sAst hold Of me, and was lost in thought,
when a hand fell softly on my shoulder.
"Come to my room, Vincent; have
something 10 tell you," said the doctor.
followed him down the deck and be-
low to his cabin. When he closed his
door and nervously snapped up the cleo
trio light saw that he was greatly agi-
tated.
Vincent, Mary is on board this ship"
be said.
rs IL possible?" exclaimed. I did
eot know wha. else to cay.
Eyes" he went on. "she and her father
and her mother and maid are passen-
gers, honeward bound. They have tho
t-yo largest staterooms amidships. / saw
their names in the passenger list"
The mechanical. hard way In which he
stated these details was startling.
Have you seen herr asked.
"No, have not seen any of them.
do not intend to. 1t is easy enough to
keep out of their way" he said, curling
his lip.
"Do they know You are hereT
Probably not. How should they!
The name of the ships doctor is not
likely to interest them. had to tell
you, that You might understand my alb
sence from the smoking room. Mason
will probably spend his time there and
cannot meet him. You will always
find me here, and il you see Mary beg
you tell me if she looks well and happy.
Even to know that would be consola-
ton"
1t was evident that tho young girl was
Mary Mason still, which was q point
gained for the doctor, l thought.
The next morning watched the faces
that gathered around the breakfast Ia.
bic, bat stiff January gale was blow.
ing and the roller was up to her widest
pranks. Only few hardened sea trav-
elers were out. / spent considerable
time with the doctor, but had no news tc
give him, and be was moody and silent.
It was not until the third day out,
l ~uh.v. <h~ ho1 <ha
was calm, that / saw Mr.. Mason. He
was sitting in the cabin. He did moi
recognize me, and l did not speak ID
him, but I noticed how old and worn
and weary he looked. 1t was not thu
WEAKNESS Of seasickness, but moro as Il
some great anxiety was weighing heavily
upon him.
That evening was sitting with thu
doctor when a message came that hi
was wanted in haste in the cabin. 81,
went Immediately, and followed him
shall never forget the scene. They
had brought Mary Mason from her state
room and laid her on lounge, bat shs
was feeble and the cxertion was too much
for her. She had tainted. Her mother
and the maid were bending over her
both weeping, and her father stood near
his strong old face working with emo
ton. As he saw Norwood he started
violently, but the doctor paid no atten
ton. He kEelt down by the side of TIT
fainting girl and examined her carefully
Then, looking up ct her mother with n
encouraging smile. he said:
"She has only tainted. II is nothinf
serious and she will be all right soon"
Hc worked over ner tenderly ana n
few moments she began to revive
Then. giving careful directions and beg
ging them TO call him if the attack VA
repeated. he slipped away.
Il could not stay until she recognized
me. Vincent. he said. 1.-The shock might
have been too much for her. She In very
much changed, 30 pale and so thin. !" hs
added sadly.
We were in his room ard he hai
scarcely spoken when Mr.. Mason ap
pcared. He grssped The doctors hsns
and heid it for moment IN silence.
DIR. Norwood, she is very act
child" he began. his voice breaking In
spite of hrs efforts 10 he calm. "Fo,
moro than rear she has been lcsips
-
~