The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-11-19


rocco heels across the gang
way of the r. M. S. Lady
Lorraine, she was possessed strongly of the
feeling that something must happen soon.
She had felt the same prophetic touch
before in very many ways, but to-day it
bubbled to the phenomenal. ''Such pre-
sentiment, my DEAR" she remarked to her
companion, that it came in with a buzz,
and stays in my head like neuralgia. y
For months in IL Mrs. Holden held all
but every right of married life, widowdom
and maidenhood. As she herself expressed
the situation. 1t is charming to think and
feel like widow and all the time your
husband to be living and in Africa" Her
philosophy might be summarized in three
phrases that nothing lasts long, that
nothing matters much and that it will be
all the same hundred years hence.
There was husband in the case Pos
sessed of devils of unrest he was exploring
the Kongo with camera, joining his wife
at Tenerife for the ''round the woIld' trip.
Jack Holden's sister said that he married
George for her eyes, which were violet and
blue and nine other colors, as the lights
caught them. But no man has yet denied
they were worth the marrying.
Well, the ship left her berth in the dock,
Mrs Georgia slept and the presentment at
first tlourished as the bay tree. When the
loI Al,
heading down the channel she and the COM
panion met and touched eyes, as it were,
with man on the same FURNISHED stair,
she drew in her toes and said half aloud,
81 felt so sure it would be" "We've met
in-in-another place. he asked gravcly
ooh, dear, no! I'm sure we never have, !"
she said decidedly and swept past him into
the saloon. But-so it happened - they
were past to the captain table and alottt d
consecutive seats. This was the beginning
Of things.
'Now, Irritation in towns is, on one or
other side, not above the constraining touch
of diplomacy. Bat on a ship when the
husband is a fortnight ahead circumstances
are sadly plastic and manageable. There
tlirtor and ilirtee meet at all meals-and in
between. After dinner in the fore peak
straining over the ships rail, they watch
the white moonlight strike the ships hot
tom and CLINT blunted from the copper, or
leaning on the anchor, whisper little things
to the tinEle of the lady's banjo. Yet later
they may sit against the wheel box, losing
themselves in the utter loneliness OF it all
and, needless of the brown little
flying fish, dream of Puck and the fairies
There Is in these circumstances, as they say
in the law, difference operative and
material.
LETS forget all about consequences and
husbands and oil horrd things" she said
once as in a white fluffy muslin thing she
sat by the aforesaid wheel box. otis the
divine right of queens" she answered
lightly. He was a man who prided hin =
self on taking things as they came along
mercies, great or small; loaves or crumbs
were all the same to him
Following night across card table she
in cross meaning arraigned him for parsi.
mony in parting with his hearts. So in
the small hours he with an industrious
penknife extracted all the hearts from the
pack. HeapiDg them into an envelope, he
sent them to the lady, quilting on a visit
ing card the pretty paraphIase, Take all
my hearts, my love, oh, take them ALL"
At Santa Cruz, Holden came on board,
and his wife was gala gOwned and delight
full. They ate, drank and were glad until
they touched the tropio of Capricorn. Then
his wife got fever, common, couch for
fortnight sort of thing, and, full of signs
and fury, was instantly quarantined to the
ships hospital Matthew, the man, was
nervous and sent messages, but the hus-
band sat by her side for many hours,
brought her contraband chocolates and read
her light verse in the language of France.
On the third day she sat up little and
was merry.
1t was Sunday, and bedtime brought
Punishment for Holden, and he came on
deck They were crossing the line, and
the heat hung over them as a shroud. Aft
trailing glory Of phosphorescent light
spread itself fanwise from the ships screw,
and over the ship from keel to truck whis-
pered the humming stiffness Of a tropic
night.
The ship was breathing heavily, as
creature in pain. 1t lifted its great breast
to the waters and trembled like one who
would be free, but was held to bondage.
A weeping low set moon dropped its lips
to the night, tenderly as mothers kiss