The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-11-15
PRlSMAIICCOURTSHIP
woman,s Homo SSnnnnion

Ing the dock at Hoboken. Tin and
down the gangplank surged q moving
thronR-stewards laden with hand bag-
gage, trucks piled with steamer trunks.
girls In seagoing costumes with their
arms hlled with roses and faces bright
with anticipation, older women with
D ~countenances, speaking seriously
to grown sons and daughters, who were
to be left behind, business men, LOOK
Ing important, and college graduates,
still! care-free and intoxicated with
thelr newly found liberty. 1t was q
motely crowd, pushing, chatting, laugh |
ing In the bright June sunshine.
The gong sounded for the last time.
the stewards rushed aboard, shouting
All ashore p and the final messages
arose in chorus. Slowly the great
ship swung around and the cable
looseneG. The faces on the dock were
color.
I'VE are really off, auntie," said a
girls voice, gayly. Nov, don't cry,
Tor you know you are delighted to 90.
Uncle Tom will be all right without
you. Indeed, I've no doubt he will en-
JOY himself hugely" She laughed
mlschieyously and put her arms around
her portly companion, who shifted audi
bly, behind her handkerchief,
oohh ho"nSr, VINO was standing by,
glanced at the pair as they disappeared
In the cabin.
Pretty girl,' he murmured, as he
chose q cigarette. III she were only
Priscilla, now, what a heavenly time
we would have !" He sighed pen
slvely. However, there's no use
wasting wishes over that, and | suppose
"a better be getting my seat at the
As he took his place in line in the
ainlng saloon the same pretty girl
stood near him. She stood so near, in
TACT, tn 4as he gave the steward his
car der eye fell upon it as it lay on
the table. A look Of bewildermen.
and Intense embarrassment crossed
her face; she flushed painfully and
glanced involuntarily at him in evident
distress.
Towner stared back at her in as.
t~onlshment. In an instant she re.
covered her composure, drew herself
up haughtily and turned away.
What in the name of common sense
was the matter with her ?" he mutter.
ed, as he sought his stateroo1o. 81
never laid eyes on her before and VIII
should she be so awfully upset on seeing
me, or rather, on seeing my name,
passes me-"
He sat dow on the edge of his berth
10 think 1T over. He was, perhaDs
muse to the ways OF the world still
he had had four years at college ard
battered himself that he knew some,
thing of society. But this experience
was Is new one TO him. He felt strange,
ly battered by the unkuown's myste
rlous Knowledge OF his name.
"She will probably sit near me-" he
thought, and | will fine out what tn,
trouble is"
1t was with undue haste thai he
sought the table at the first sound O
d gong, but his eye searched in vair
the faces OF those near him. Evident
!y she had given the steward particula,
instructions to put her scat as far q,
possible from the one labeled MIR
John Iowner, Biloxi, Miss" for b,
finally discovered her at the extreme
limit OF the oOm He watched her a
well rs he could, but he caught onl
one IurtlVc glance, and then her eve,
remained glued to the table during the
meal.
The next day the ship rolled badly
ana neither the unknown fair" no,
her aunt appeared. Towncr wrote
ietters ana smoked, but the day seemed
interminable.
The third morning was bright spd
sunny and the decks were crowded.
Where shall | put ycur chair p
SAID a despairing voice at Towner's
elbow. The steward has Gi an
Peared, and there MT an empty inch
ALLOW me !" he exclaimed, inward
~ rejoicing, as he seized the steamer
CHAIR. There's a nice sheltered place
Just around the corner" and he led The
way.
Thank you so much" said the aunt
signing. 4 Sna 1rnnnnl bo,ril,, ;...
the comfortable seat as he settled it,
~ still ieel the effects of yesterdays
illness. Priscilla, dear, can't Won find
a place, too?,'
The girl flushed again and turned alb
ruptly away.
Thank you, %auntie, but l am going
Tor d book" she called back over her
shoulder.
Towner tucked the rug snuelv
around thee elder lady's feet.
Might bring my chair, too ?n he
inquired with becoming meekness. cit
Is so pleasant here"
81 all MEANS" was the gracious
reply, and In a moment the two were
engaged in conversation
That's Is most charming Young
man, my DEAR" said Mrs. Hunter,
complacently, as she smoothed her
hair for luncheon. "His name IA
IoWner, and he Is from the South. He
mas graduated from Cornell, and is
going abroad on q business trip. He is
engaged to q Vassar girl" a Priscilla
somebody l old him you were at Vas
sar, and must know her, as abe ia q
junior, too"
"Oh, you told him L must know p,
repeated her niece.
Certainly | did. He is anxious TO
meet you, and as he is engaged of
course 1T Is all right for you to know
him.. Indeed | told him I hoped we
should see a great deal Of him. He Is
really delightful, and it's so convenient
10 nave some one to fix your chair and
run errands, you know"
Priscilla g~roaned." "WelI. auntio
you've done 1T this time Mr. Towner
Is the one man in all the world I would
have avoided. | can't tell you the story
It's q secret-but it's about the girl
he's engaged to, and it's going to be
very embarrassing to me-"
Dear me, Priscilla, how | do wish
you had tod me before p said her amt.
compla nlngly. Your habit OF re.
tlcence 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, ne rather suggested 1t. SO we
VIII have 70 see him ali the time"
Never mind, auntie it's Nemesis.
ehats all" said her niece, with calm
despair.
That Towner felt the fripiditv nj tba