, 1899-03-31
TRIED TO ESCAPE.

TRIED IO ESCAPE.
She stood leaning against the deck
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 a little sigh
of intermixed relief and suppressed ex-
element 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 scene about her. What a
labyrinth they seemed to be passing
through Tugs, ~pilotboats, ferries, all
seemed to be crossing and recrossing in
a most reckless manne as the Priscilla
plowed along independently, as if the
whole river were clear of distinctions.
The sur was just setting, and New
York's tall buildings hot skyward,
black against the pink glow. There
were familiar domes and spires. but she
turned hastily from them and cast a
SidhSc az Lipeiby, ciieut anu iblpdSslNo
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. cat any
rate, it is all right now" she said to
herself. while a peculiar light stole into
her eyes. This is the end Of it all. l
couldn't do better than to go at once
and not let him know where. 1t win
save all fruitless discussion. And-and
I hate a scene"
She stared steadily at the buildings
on BlackwelIs island. They were very
misty and indistinct. and she passed her
hand rapidly over her eyes.
The deck was filling 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 aud looked about her. 1t
was a curious crowd, ii seemed to her.
She had never Travelled this way before.
What a mixture Of refinement and vul-
garityl There were a man and a WON.
an eating out Of some brown paper
bags. and just beyond them a man and
wife apparently Of her own set.
Well. she could go to her stateroom
early and so be by herself. She would
60 down to dinner now. Aloner 1t gave
her a peculiar sensation to think of it.
Well. it was part Of the penalty of run
ming away. us it were.
She rose to GO.
"Am l just in time to take you
DOWN." a familiar voice said close be-
side her.
Her hand grasped the back Of the
camp chair. The motion, together with
a ewayipg Of the boat. made her stag
ger for a moment, but a strong hand
belly her firmly. II shall be very glad
II you will go down with me. he re-
peated.
She sat down again suddenly. Ibid
you get my notef" she demanded.
"Of course, drawing a chair and
speaking in u low voice as he readjust-
ed the wrap that had slipped from her
shoulders '.But You didn't suppose l
would obey. did your" He smiled as
he spoke.
at 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."
He made no reply to the charge.
"You knew we couldn't keep on this
way" she continued in a grieved voice.
at was misunderstanding, misunder-
standing, all the time, and Of course
that wasn't-wasn't love-" She hest
tated and glanced quickly at the figure
beside her. His eyes were on the pass
ing landscape.
"And I didn't want any scene. It's
horrid and common to make a scene.
She swallowed hastily. "And so I wrote
the note and ended it all. and just came
away, 80 as to get rid Of all this. And
now you've followed me" She spoke
Indignantly and beat a tattoo on the
deck with her foot.
He looked at her gravely for an in
slant. then turned again to the darkness
outside. "Idon't think You can realize
what it is" he said, his eyer on a dis
tant revolving beacon, ''to ask a man to
give mp what is more than life to him.
The light from the powerful leus
blazed full upon them, rested for
moment. and then left them in darkness
once more.
II couldn't give You up that way"
he went on, his hand impulsively steal
ing out and taking hers. For if l did
1t would be for all time. and 80 l was
bound to make n more fight. When l
found that you were gone I just risked
the chance Of it being this way. because
you had always insisted on never going
by this line, and 30, being a woman i
thought you'd take 1t now"
The hand in his made a feeble a&-
tempt to Withdraw. hut he held it close.
.It wasn't nice Of you." she said
suddenly, as If a new thought had struck
her, '.because I'm alone, you know,
and II any one we know should see M
together''-.
The darkness covered his smile. Mice
women can travel alone. he replied,
.'but then. l thought that perhaps we
might turn this into sort Of an sntewed-
ding journey. you know. We a get