The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-01-28
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The last bell had rung. Those who
were going ashore had taken their de-
parture. Crowds of human beings clus.
tered on the pier head and at the large
doorways of the warehouse which stood
open on the steamer wharf. As the
big ship slowly backed out there was
n fiuttering of handkerchiefs from the
mass on the pier, and an answering
fiutter from those who crowded along
the bulwarks of the steamer. The tug
slowly pulled the PROV of the vessel
around, and at last the engines of the
steamship began their pulsating throbs
-throbs that would vibrate night and
day until the steamer reached an older
world. The crowd on the pier became
more and more indistinct to those on
board, and many of the passengers
went below, for the air was bitterly
cold, and the boat was forcing its way
down the bay among huge blocks of
ice.
Two, at least, of the passengers had
taken little interest in the departure.
They were leaving no friends behind
them, and were both setting their faces
toward friends at home.
Let us go down." said Wentworth
to Kenyon, land see that we get seats
together at table before all are taken"
Very good" replied his companion,
and they descended to the roomy
saloon, where two long tables were al
ready laid with an ostentatious display
Of silver, glassware and cutlery, which
made many, who looked on this wilder
ness of white linen with something like
dismay, hope that the voyage would be
smooth, which, as it was winter pas
sage, there was every chance it would
not be. The purser and two of his as
sstants sat at one of the shorter tables
with plan before them, marking off
the names of passengers who wished
10 be together, or who wanted some
particular place AZ any of the tables.
The smaller side tables were still un-
covered, because the number of passen-
gers at that season of the year was
comparatively small. AS the places
were assigned, one of the helpers to the
purser wrote the names of the passen-
gers on small cards. and the other put
the cards on the tables.
One young woman, in a beautifully
fitted travelling gown, evidently of the
newest cut and design, stood little
apart from the general group which
surrounded the purser and his assist
ants. She eagerly scanned every face,
and listened attentively to the names
srsty .I,, 10 Of al fen
pointment crossed her brow, as if she
expected some particular person to pos
sess some particular name which hat
particular person did not have. At
last her eyes sparkied.
MY name is Wentworth" said the
young man whose turn it was.
"Ah! any favorite place, Mr.. Went
worth?" asked the purser, blandly, as
il he had known Wentworth all his life.
mo, we don't care where we sit;
hut my friend, MI. Kenyon, and myself
would like places together"
"Very good; you had better come to
my table" replied the purser. "Nos. %
and 24-Mr. Kenyon Sand Mr.. Went
WORTH"
The steward took the cards that were
given him, and placed them to cor
respond with the numbers the purseI
had named. Then the young woman
moved gracefully along, as If she were
interested in the names on the table.
She looked at Wentworth's name for a
moment, and saw in the place next to
his the name of Mr.. Brown. She gave
quick, apprehensive glance around the
saloon, and saw the two young men
who had arranged for their seats at
table now walking leisurely toward the
companionway. She took the card with
the name of Mr.. Brown upon it, and
slipped upon the table another on which
was written: miss Jennie Brewster"
Mr.. Browns card she placed on the
spot from which she had taken her own.
II hope Mr.. Brown is not particular
which place he occupies" said Miss Jen-
ME. to herself; "but at any rate l shall
see that am early for dinner, and I'm
sure Mr. Brown, whoever he is, will not
be SO ungallant as to insist on having
this place if he knows his card was
here"
tTo BE Continued