Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-04-27
TRIED TO ESCAPE.

she stood leaning against the 0eck
railing of the steamer Priscilla. For
some moments she had been listlessly
watching the last of the baggage bun
died on to the boat by the burly freight
handlers, and now she gave little sigh
of intermixed relief and suppressed ex-
citement as the big hawsers that held
the boat to the wharf were loosened and
flung into the water. She waited until
the men drew in the wet rope; then she
turned to the scenes about her. What
labyrinth they seemed to be passing
through. Tugs, pilotboats, ferries, all
seemed to be crossing and recrossing in
a most reckless manner as the Priscilla
plowed along independently, as if the
whole river were clear of distractions.
The sun was just setting, and New
York's tall buildings shot skyward.
black against the pink glow. There
were familiar domes and spires, but she
turned hastily from them and cast
glance at Liberty, silent and impassive
with her upstretched arm.
A slight frown rose to her face as she
recalled that day they had landed there
FROM the yacht, and she bit her lips in
vexation at the reflection. ''At any
rate, it is all right now, she said to
herself, while peculiar light stole into
her eyes. This is the end of it all. l
couldn' do better than to go at once
and not let him know where. 1t win
save all fruitless discussion. And-and
l hate scene.
She stared steadily at the buildings
on Blackwell's island They were very
misty and indistinct, and she passed her
hand rapidly over her eyes
The deck was filing with passengers,
and she moved to a more retired spot,
where she sat back and watched the
shore grow dark and the lights come
out one by one. She pushed up the veil
she had worn and looked about her 1t
was curious crowd, it seemed to her.
She had never Travelled this way before.
What mixture of refinement and vul-
garityl There were man and wom-
an eating out of some brown paper
bags, and just beyond them man and
wife apparently CT her own set.
Well, she could go to her stateroom
early and so be by herself. She would
go down to dinner now. AloneY 1t gave
her a peculiar sensation to think of it.
Well, it was part of the penalty of run
ming away, as it were.
She rose to go.
"Am / just in time to take you
DOWN. familiar voice said close be-
side her.
Her hand grasped the back of the
camp chair. The motion, together with
a swaying of the boat. made her stag
ger for moment. but strong hand
hely her firmly. II shall be very glad
if you will go 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. HBut you didn't suppose
would obey, did your He smiled as
he spoke.
"It was horrid of you, she replied,
giving her shoulders a shrug SO that the
wrap loosened again and fell to the
deck, where it lay unheeded, perfect
ly horrid. Z"
He made no reply to the charge.
"You knew we couldn't keep on this
way, she continued in grieved voice.
'It was misunderstanding, misunder-
standing. all the time, and of course
that WASH wasn't love" She hesi-
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 to make scene. .
She swallowed hastily ''And SO wrote
the note and ended ii all, and just came
away, so as to get rid of all this. And
now you'ye followed me- She spoke
Indignantly and beat tattoo on the
deck with her foot.
He looked at her gravely for an in
stant, then turned again to the darkness
outside. 81 don't think you can realize
what it is, he said, his eyes on dis.
tant revolving beacon, ''to ask man to
give up what is more than life to him.
The light from the powerful lens
blazed full upon them, rested for a.
moment, and then left them in darkness
once more.
81 couldn't give you up that way, .
he went on, his hand impulsively steal
ing out and taking hers For if did
it would be for all time, and SO | was
bound to make one more fight When
found that you We're gone just risked
the chance of it being this way, because
you had always insisted on never going
by this line, and SO, heing woman,
thought you'd take it now
The hand in his made feeble at
tempt to withdraw, but he held it close.
"It wasn't nice of you. she said
suddenly, as if new thought had struck
her, because I'm alone, you know.
and if any one we know should see us
together
The darkness covered his smile. Mice
women can travel alone, lie replied,
Hbut then, ! thought that perhaps we
might turn this into sort of an sntewed-
ding journey. you know We can get