Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-12-01

The Fuerst Bismarck was just lcay-
ing the dock at Hoboken. Up and
down the gangplank surged moving
throng-stewards laden with hand
baggage, trucks piled with steamer
trunks. girls in seagoing costume. with
their arms filed with roses and faces
bright with anticipation; older women
with sober countenances. speaking Sc
riously to grown sons and daughters
who were to be left behind; business
men looking important and college
graduates still care free and intoxicat-
ed with their newly found liberty. 1t
was a motley crowd, pushing, chat
ting. laughing in the bright June sun
shine.
The gong sounded for the last time.
the stewards rushed about. shouting
"All ashore and the final messages
arose in chorus. Slowly the great ship
swung around and the cable loosened.
The faces on the dock were gradually
lost in q confused sense Of color.
I'VE are really off, auntie," said
girls voice gayly. "Now, don't cry
for you know you are delighted to 90.
Uncle Tom will be all right without
YOU. Indeed, I've no doubt he will en-
10Y himself hugely She laughed
mischievously and put her arm around
her portly companion. who shifted
audibly behind her handkerchief.
John Towner, who was standing by.
glanced at the pair as they disappear
ed in the cabin.
Pretty girl" he murmured as ht
chose a cigarette. IF she were only
Priscilla, now. what a heavenly time
we would have" He sighed pensive-
". However. there's no use wasting
wishes over that, and | suppose Ia
better be getting my seat at the table.
AS he took his place in line in the
dining saloon the same pretty girl stood
near him. She stood so near. In fact.
that as he gave the steward his card
her eye fell upon It as ii lay on the
table. A look Of bewilderment and in
tense embarrassment crossed her face;
she flushed painfully and glanced in
voluntarily at him in evident distress.
TOwner stared back at her In aston
ishment. In an instant she recovered
her cOmposure. drew herself up laugh
tily and turned away.
what in the name Of common sense
was the matter with herY he muttered
as he sought his stateroom. 81 never
laid eyes on her before, End why she
should 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 it over He was perhaps I'M
used TO 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 10 him. He felt strangely hat
tered by the unknown's mysterious
knowledge Of his name.
"She will probably sit near me-" he
thought. land | will find out what the
trouble Is"
1t was with undue haste that he
sought the table at the first sound of
the gong. but his eye searched in vain
the faces of those nearest him. Eyi'
IDENTIFY she had given the steward par
ticular instruction to put her seat as
far as possible from the one labeled
"Mr John Towncr, Biloxi, Miss" for
he finally discovered her at the ex-
IRENE limit of the room.
The third morning was bright and
sunny, and the decks were crowded.
where shall put your chairF said
a despairing voice at Towner's elbow.
"The steward has disappeared, and
there isn't an empty inch Of ROOM"
"Allow me-" he exclaimed, inwardly
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" said the aunt,
signing, as she dropped heavily into
the comfortable seat as he settled II.
81 still feel the effects Of yesterday s
Illness. Priscilla, dear, can't you find
| a place too|
The girl flushed again and turned abb
ruptly away.
Thank you. auntIe, but l am going
for book" she called back over her
shoulder.
Towner tucked the rug snugly
around the elder lady's feet.
"Might bring my chair, too" he
inquired. with becoming meekness. at
is so pleasant here"
"By all means" was the gracious
reply, and in n moment the two were
engaged in conversation.
That's q most charming young man,
my dear" said Mrs. Hunter COM
luncheon. His name is Towner, and
he is from the south. He has grad
uated from Cornell and is going abroad
on a business trip. He Is engaged TO
Vassar girl, Priscilla somebody. l
told him you were at Nassar and must
know her, as she is junior too"
"Oh, you told him | must knowI" re-
peated her niece.
Certainly l did. He is anxious to
meet you, and as he is engaged Of
course it is all right for you TO know
him. Indeed, told him hoped we
should see a great deal of him. He Is
really delightful, and it's so convenient
to have some one to fix your chair and
run errands, you know"
Priscilla groaned. "Well, auntie,
you've done it this time. Mr.. Towner
is the one man in all the world | would
have avoided. can't tell you the
story-it's a secret-but it's about the
girl he is engaged TO, and 1t is going to
be very embarrassing to me-
Dear me, Priscilla. how do wish
you had only told me before" said her
aunt complainingly. Your habit OF
reticence is most annoying. I've asked
him to change his seat to the one next
you at table, and he is going TO- In
deed. he rather suggested it. So we
will have to see him all the time
"Never mind, auntie; it's Nemesis,
that's ALL" said her niece, with calm
despair.