Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-04
CHAPTER l.

"a nauSCatCd Consciousness permitted
them to turn their patient eyes aside
from the monotonous horizon of stormy
sky and henving sca--that the bright
figure i'll the doorway of the ladies Sa-
loon cxemplided reckless would be
gambler III nineteenth century methods.
The figure was supple, girlish and
dashing. 1t was, too essentially lady
like. Like scarlet breasted robin perch
ed on a twig, it stood swinging itself
lightly on two tiny feet, It's chin was
thrown up. It's two large bright eyes
mastered amusedly the pathetic avowal
OF the wind swept deck, with its row of
unluchy passengers. Obviously their
reasoning was struggling against the
saddening conviction of the poverty of
science in general where seasiCkuess was
the cause III particular The superb
sweep of wind swept ocean wildly tossed
higher and higher as the elements roar
ed responsibility to the kiss of the on
coming storm, picturesquely emphasiz-
ing the maxim that what was poison to
the seasick was meat to that bright on
locker.
With glad little sigh of JOY the girl
steuped over the threshold of the saloon
and stood lightly out on deck. With an
irrepressibc laugh of mschievous sat
isfaction two fur gloved hands were lift
ed to settle more firmly a golf cap on
neatly coifcd head. Then the hands
were plunged deeply into the pockets
OF Redfern ulster. Priscilla set forth,
heat bent forward, shoulders thrown for
ward, limbs sternly self controlled, for
a battle with the wind. The solitary
figure paced the deck for some moments
unmolestcd and undisturbed. The sea-
sick passengers turned uneasily, shifted
fretfully, groaned Enthusiastically, and
finally one by one crept, a shiverins,
weather beaten pack of towards, below.
Priscilla was left alone. The little
figure paced to and fro \ vivid color
had sprung into the pale checks. Tho
brown clear eyes were alight. The storm
Kissed and roarcd. The sea gulls
screamed. The screw, like a giant heart
beat thudded out its dutiful monot-
onous thrub.
II beg your pardon. How stupid of
me! | beg your pardon.
Its nothing" said Priscilla men
daciousy. Her hat was awry; her
hands had been swiftly pulled from
their pockets to ward off an unexpected
force which had descended upon her
like an avalanche. She was swaying,
laughing and b)ushing, protesting, but
impotent, i'll the arms of complete
strangcr--a man with strong kind,
beardless face and pair of honestly re.
pcntant eyes.
Il did not see you," explained Pris-
ella. My head was down "
$50 was mine. | beg your pardon. "
The stranger lifted his cap. His hair
was crisp, curly and cut very short He
was well set up. He had pair Of mag
niticcnt broad shoulders. Altogether he
looked a desirable acquaintance
Priscilla sighed. only the night be-
fore, i'll the sitting room Of an imposing
New York mansion in Fifty fifth street,
she had been holding FORTH to "A ring of
breathlessly admiring brothers and sis
tiers, on her pet hobby
If | had the world to make over, p"
she said-likc most youthful and aspir-
ing maidens, Priscilla was guilty Of
badly proportional ambitions-"if l
had the world to make over, | should
Danish introductions "
"Bccause?' Tom had questioned.
Tom was the red haired one. His fam
lily had denominated him the "interro-
CATION point.
because, Priscilla had answered,
in her fresh, unStudicd voice, because
l consider, since we are all Of us God 5
creatures, introductions are bad form,
ferociously bad form Priscilla was
wont to be trihe exaggerated. "But
then what is the use Of advcrbs if rot
to employ them" she retortcd, airly,
when reprimandod, to which original
query no memhcr Of her adoring family
had as yet discovered an adequate re-
sponse
"Why bad form?' E" asked Harry.
at 5 on the face of it, " cried Priscil.
Ia. "Domocracy is our portion. Why
assume AN aristocracy of manners when
we are II free country and are supposed
to ignore caste and to refute defunct is
sues?"
why, indoed?" chimcd in Harry
He hadn't tho slightest idea what Pris
ella was driving at, " but then She
was dear " and for some time he
had advised his parents to let her "havt
her head, " so he repeated noucommit
tally why, indccd|"
Today Priscilla remembered the little
conversation. Last night already seemed
long way off. She Rugged the fatter
ing junction. to her soul at this highly
opportune moment that her family hat
agreed with her III her broad views.
Her COINCIDENCE therefore was perfect
ly free from shadow Of guile as she
looked up iurOccntly in her companion
face and questioned with natura
curiosity born Of the moments loneli
ness and the rioh promise Of Il future il
unknown lands, Going abroad"
"Obvious.y," answered the man
laughing. His eyes twinkled irrepressi
bly,,
so am |, rctorted Priscilla delight
edly. Isn't it lovely?"
Her companion looked a life dubious
Then with perceptible effort not t
dampen her ardor he answered: ct dc
ponds upon what part of abroad one i
going to somewhat, doesn't it? Wher,
are you going;"
"TO Paris, returned Priscilla al
most before he had got the words GU
OF his mouth.
Her companion made round hole o
his lips and raised his eyebrows quiz