Democratic messenger., 1899-06-24
TRIED TO ESCAPE.

TRIED TO ESCAPE.
She stood leaning against the deck
railing Of the steamer Priscilla. For
some moments she had been lisilessly
watching the last of the baggage bun
died on to the boat by the burly freight
handlers. and now she gave little sigh
of intermixcd relief and suppressed ex
citcmcnt as the big hawscrs that held
the boat 10 th. wharf were looscncd and
flung into the water She waited until
the men drew in the wet rope: then she
turned To the scenes about her What u
labyrinth they seemed H. te passing
through Tugs, rilothoats. ferries. all
seemed Ia he crossing and rccrosSing in
most reckless manner as the Priscilla
plowed along independently as if the
whole river were clear uf distinctions.
| The sun was Just setting. and New
Yorks tall bindings shot skyward.
black against the pink glow. There
were familiar domcs and 'pircs, hut she
turned hastily from them and cast
glance at Liberty. silent and impassive
with her upstretchcd arm,
A slight frown rosc Ia htr face as she
recalled that day they had landed there
from the yacht. and she lit her lips in
vexation ut the reflection 'At any
rate. il is all right now. she said to
herself. while ii peculiar light stole into
her ewes, This is the end uf il all |
couldn' do better than to 10 at once
and MT let him knew where. II will
save all frnitlcss discussion. And and
| hate Il scene.
She stared steadily at the buildings
ON Blackwell : island They We're very
misty and indistinct, and she passed her
hand rapidly over her eyes
The deck was filling with passengers.
and she moved toa mere retired spot.
where she sat hack and watched tine
shore grow dark and the lights come
ont one by one She pushed up the veil
she had worn and looked about her II
was a curious crowd. il seemed 10 her
She had never Travelled this way before
What "A mixture of refinement and vul-
garity There were IA man and a woin
an eating ont of some brown paper
bags and inst beyond them a man and
wife apparently # her own set.
Well she could 20 To her stateroom
early and sn be by herself She would
90 down To- dinner now. Alone IT gave
her peculiar sensation Ia think Of it.
Well, il was part of the penalty of run
ming away. as il were.
She rcse t. 20.
Am just in time to take you
down. n familiar voice said close be-
side her
Her hand grasped the back Of the
camp chair. The motion. together with
n swaying Of the boat. made her stag
ger for moment. hut "A strong hand
hely her firmly II shall he very glad
if you will 70 down with me. he re-
peated.
She sat down again suddenly. did
You get my note?" she demanded
'Of course. drawing chair and
speaking in low voice as he readjust-
ed the wrap that had slipped from her
shoulders. But Aou didn't suppose |
would obey. did you?'' He smiled as
he spoke,
''lt was horrid Of yen. she replied.
giving her shoulders shrug 50 that the
wrap louS.ncd again and fell to the
deck where il lay rnhceded. perfect
~ horrid
lie made no reply 10 the charge.
You knew we couldn keep on this
way. she continued in grieved voice
1T was Misunderstanding misundcr-
standing. all the time. and of course
that WASH wasn't hove : She hcsi
tated and glanced quickly at the figure
beside her. his eyes were ON the pass
ing landscape.
And didn't want any scene. It's
horrid and common IL make n scene. "
She swallowed hastily And So wrote
the note and ended IL all. and Just came
away. 81 ;ls 10 get rid of all this And
now ynu We followed me. She spoke
Indignantly and beat Il tattoo on the
deck with hcr foot
He looked al her gravely for an in
stant then turned again to the darkness
outside, "ldont think you can realize
what il is hc said his eyes On n dis.
tant revolving lcacun. "toask u man to
give mp wIa, is more than life To- him.
The light from the powerful lens
hlaz.d inll upon them rested for "A
moment. and then left them in darkness
once more
II eonldnt giv" you M that way.
he went IN. his hand impulsivcly steal
ing ont and taking hers. For IL | did
II would he Tor MI time and so | was
huund a. make one more fight, When |
.st.
the chance 81 j, being this way. because
ynn had always insisted on never going
by this linz end 50 h,ing woman,
thought y,u takc IL now
The hand IN his made n feeble nj
temp, to owijhiraw. In, he held it close.
at WASH nice of yuu. she said
suddenly NJ II u new Thought had struck
her. because I'm alone, You know
and II any one We know should see us
together
The darknp,- covered hissmile Nice
W. icn can . vel alone. he replied.
"nui then, thnughi that perhaps we
might turn this into SORT 1T an antcwed
ding tourney you know We can gct
oil ~ Newport the boat touches ~ 4 -
aud be married early and then keep on
Ia the mountains In fact wired 70
your aunt 10 meet us and Bennett
| too
There was moment pause
II ihnnght this looked like Won, a
woman = gay Voice lrolein Dear me,
how nice aud secluded you are. I've
been trying 10 convince Richard that II
was v,.u. She turned aud hcckuned tn
| her husband un the other side Of the
/ deck
lawfully iclly 10 find y"u two don
Won knew. Mr. clifford rcloincd as hc
drew up seat for his wife and handed
| Miss Wentworth her fallen wrap. The
Browns are back there and the Fol
somes in the saloon, Lots of people we
! know
"Yuur vacation. Elton
Mrs cltIurd's next question preclnd-
/ ed an answer "Iuur aunt is inside. !
suppo~cY'' She queriea. III j. damp ont
here and supnnse she likes to prove a
lenicnt chapeion Nh. smiled teas
ingly.
Miss Wrn,wnrth's face famed vivid
scarlet. and she half turned to her lover.
"Yes he responded quickly for her
stwa that ia in fnet Mrs Ashley ia