The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-21
Bon
Ami
The Finest Cleaner
MADE. CONTAINS NO SAND. eR,r on COARSE
SUBSTANCE THAT WILL SCRATCH OR insvRG.
Prismdtic C0urtship.


trucks piled with steamer trunks, girls
In sea-going costume with their arms
filled with roses. and faces bright with
anticipation. older women with sober
countenances speaking seriously 10
grown sons and daughters who were TO
be left behind. business men looking
important, and college graduates So.
care-free and intoxicated with their
newly found liberty. 1t was a motley
crowd, pushing, chatting, laughing In
the bright June sunshine.
The gong sounded for the last time,
the stewards rushed about shouting
"All ashore!" and the final messages
arose in chorus. Slowly the great snip
swung around and the cable loosened.
The faces on the dock were gradually
lost in a confused sense of color.
1--WE are really OFF. auntie,' said a
girls voice gayly. "Now, don't cry,
for you know you are delighted 70 go.
Uncle Tom will be all right without
YOU Indeed, I've no doubt he Will en-
Joy himself hugely" She laughed mis-
chievously, and put her arm around her
portly companion. Who sniited audlpiy
behind her handkerchief.
John Towner, who was standing by,
glanced at the pair as they disappeared
in the cabin.
Pretty girl" he mumured, as he
CHOSE "A cigarette. IF she were only
Priscilla. now. what a heavenly time we
would have" He sighed pensively.
However. there's no use wasting
wishes over that and | suppose I'd bet
ter be getting my seat at the table"
As he took up his place in line in the
dining saloon the same pretty girl stood
near him She stood so near, in fact,
that as ne gave the steward his card
her eye fell upon il as II lay on the ta-
BILE. 4 look OF bewlderment and in
tense embarrassment crossed her face;
she flushed painfully and glanced in
voluntarily at him I'm evident distress.
Towner stared back at her in aston
ishment. In an instant she recovered
her composure. drew herself up haught-
lily and turned away.
What i'm the name OF common sense
was the matter with herr" he muttered
as he sought his stateroom. II never
laid eyes on her before, and why should
she be so awfully upset on seeing me.
or rather on seeing my name, passes
me-"
He sat down on the edge of his berth
to think IL over. He was. perhaps. un-
used 10 the ways OF the world, still he
had had four years at college. and fiat
tered himself that he knew something
OF society. But this experience was
new one to him. He felt strangely
by the unknowns mysterious
knowledge OF his name
"She will probably sit near me- he
thought. "and / will find out what the
trouble is
IL was with undue haste that he
sought the table at the first sound of
the gong. but his eye searched i'm vain
the faces of those near him. Evidently
She had given the steward particular
instruction TO put her seat as Tar as
possible from the one labelled Mr.
John Towner, Biloxi Mississippi" for he
finally discovered her at the extreme
limit OF the room. He watched her as
we'll as he could. but he caught only
one furtiVe glance, and then her eyes re-
NAMED glued 10 the table during the
meal
The next day the ship rolled badly,
and neither the unknown fair nor
her aunt appeared. Towner wrote let
ters and smoked. but the day seemed
The third morning was bright and
sunny. and the decks were crowded.
'Where shall | put your chair?" said
a despairing voice at Towner's elbow.
The steward has disappeared, and
there isn't an inch OF room"
n
rejoicing. as he seized the steamer chair.
There's nice sheltered place just
around the corner" and he led the way.
THANK YOU so much F" said the aunt, |
ii sighing. as she dropped heavily into |
the comfortable seat as he settled IT. II
still feel the effects Of yesterdays ILL |
ness. Priscilla, dear, can't you find a |
place. too?'
The girl flushed again and turned alb
ruptly away.
THANK you. auntie. bur ! am gong |
FOR a book" she called back over her |
shoulder.
Towner tucked the rug snugly around |
The elder lady's feet. |
"May I bring my chair too?' he IN |
1uired with becoming meekness. 1T |
IS so pleasant here
"By all means" was the gracious re-
oIv, and in moment the two WSre en-
gaCed in conversation.
That's a most charming young man, |
my dear" said Mrs. Hunter, compla- |
,ently. as she smOothed her hair Tor |
luncheon. Hts name is Towner. and he |
: erom the South. He has graduated |
rom Cornell, and is going abroad on a |
business trip. He Is engaged To vas
car girl. a Priscilla somebody. | told |
,lm you were at Nassar, and must |
srow her as she is junior too
"ob vcu told him / must know re-
oeated her niece.
"certaihly 7 did. He Is anxious to /
neet YOU. and as he Is engaged OF
curse II Is all right for you to know
,im. Indeed, 7 told him ] hoped We |
.hculd .sec = great deal of him. lie Is
.eally delightful. and It's so convenient
% have some one TO fix your chair and
.un crrands. you know.
r,rieciua groancd. "Wel. auntic. I
you've done II this time! Mr.. Towner
. the one man I'm all the world ] would
,ave avoided I can't tell YOU the story
It's a secret--but it's about the girl
,e's engaged to. and u Is going TO be
rery embarrassing 20 me.
Dear me. Priscilla. how ! do wish
you had only told me before! said her
aunt. complainingly Your hablt III
'eticence is most annoying. I've asked
him 90 change his seat 20 the one next
YOU al table. and he is going to. In
Iced he rather suggested Il. SO we will,
lave TO see him all the time.
Never mind. auntie; it's Nemesis.
hats all" said her niece. with calm
lespair.
That Towner felt the frlgidity OF the
~ thcy met at luncheon
vas ins vltable But with a cheerful
IA. sci hinRplt to cs-ercCmc |