Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-01-11
TO THE WATERS EDGE.
BY PAUL CARSON.

BY PAUL CARSON.
1t is story OF long ago. l was a
young man OF 26 years OF age then,
with more money at my command
than was good for me. I was to be
married soon to a beautiful, high
spirited girl, when quarrel arose in
which was almost entirely to blame,
and Lila, in a fit OF righteous indigna-
ton, broke the engagement, declaring
that she would not marry a tyrant
who fancied that the possession OF a
lew hundred thousand dollars gave
aim the right to dictate to every
one with whom he came in con-
tact.
retorted with something equally
bitter, and left the house. A week
later having in q measure regained
my senses, l called on Miss Jewett,
She had gone away, leaving letter
for me which servant delivered. 1t
said:
Thinking you might possibly seek
q reconciliation, in order to save us
both the pain OF an interview | have
gone away, to be absent, at least
year, probably longer. 1t does not
matter where | am going as all at
tempts to restore my broken faith in
x,,N,,1l In y Il
/ pray that heaven may send only
blessings to the man l SO dearly
loved"
That was all. Through my own i'd
lotto conduct / had lost her. No
words can tell what suffered. For q
month Twas we'll nigh insane. Every
proved futile. She was an orphan,
and her aunt, with whom she lived,
had solemnly promised to keep the
secret.
"She wouldn't tell me, the old lady
said with sympathetic tears in her
eyes, until promised faithfully not
to betray her. /"
One morning, turning a corner into
Arch street, encountered Captain Alb
bott, an old friend OF my father whom
had not seen for years. He was the
owner OF several vessels, and followed
the sea for love.
"Glenn Davis" he exclaimed. az
was on my way to your place. but
what in the name Of the ship is the
mat Ell with you? You look as if you
were dead Been sick?"
sNot seriously" replied. But
what are you doing in Philadelphia?'
Ran down to look after a schooner
OF mine. / sail with the Dauntless for
Australia in ten days. Going back to
New York in the morning. SeeingI 've
met you, I'll 60 look after that boat
now2thousht I'd find you first"
But you'll come to the house to
dinner and stay all night?" | asked.
Yes, thanks, be glad to-" And we
parted.
He came to dinner, and that night
wesat up late smoking and talking,
and in some way the captain learned
my trouble, though did not tell him
the lady's name Before we went to
bed / had promised to sail with him
on the Dauntless.
ssWe win have q quiet party this
time" he said. My wife and daugh-
ter always 60 with me, and this year
a nephew OF mine, who is just out of
college. and my wife's neice will ac-
company us. The trip will do you
good.
And /. caring little what became Of
me, eager to grasp anything that
promised to aid forgetfulness, accept |
ed the kind invitation gladly.
We were to sail on the morning OF |
May 10th, but everything worked SO
smoothly that all was ready the
night OF the ] 5th, and q, brisk breeze
springing up we passed through the
narrows at midnight. came on
board with the captain about 10
O'Clock; the ladies, fatigued with the
last days shopping, and not expect
ing to sail until daybreak, were not |
visible; 80 it happened that when we
met at the breakfast table we were
miles at sea, and with bounding pulses
1 acknowledged an introduction to
Mrs. ADbott's niece, Lila, Jewett.
Flusing crimson, then turning dead |
Nv pale, with great effort the young
lady mastered her surprise and replied
carelessly to her aunt's astonished
look
~ have met Mr. Davis before. | did
not expect to meet an acquaintance
out~at sea.
She did not say friend" Miss Alb
bott, graceful pretty girl of eighteen,
with womanly tact took up the con-
versation, and aided by the others
breakfast was eaten without embar-
rassment.
Soon after, Captain Abbott called
me into his cabin.
..My boy, never dreamed that Lila
was the girl. But since Providence,
for don't believe in chance, has put
YOU where you can't get away from
each otherfor awhile, you have things
in your own hands, and i you win her
back it will be worth a trip to Aus
tralia, won't it?"
/ agreed with him perfectly, but in
nv heart doubted my ability to win
again the love have lost. Lila was
OF a quiet, intense nature, slow to
take ofense Notwithstanding her