Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-01-03
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A PRISMATIC
COURTSHIP.
Nemesis Takes q Hand In Vas
sar JOKE.
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The Fuerst Bismarck was just leav-
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 confused sense Of color.
1--WE are really off. auntie," said
girls voice gayly. "NOw. don't cry.
for you know you are delighted to go.
Uncle Tom will be all right without
you. Indeed. I've no doubt he will en-
joy himself hugely" She laughed
mischevously 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 he
chose q cigarette. ''If she were only
Priscilla. now. what heavenly time
we would have" He sighed pensive-
". However. there's no use wasting
wishes over that. and l suppose I'd
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 1t 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 haugh-
tily and turned away.
"What In the name Of common sense
was the matter with her." he muttered
as he sought his stateroom. II never
laid eyes on her before. and 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 II over. He was perhaps un.
used to the ways Of the world. still he
+ had had four years at college and fat
tered himself that he knew something
of society. But this experience was a
new one to him. He felt strangely nat.
tered by the unknown's mysterious
knowledge of his name.
"She will probably sit near me-" he
thought. "and I 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. Evil.
IDENTIFY she had given the steward par.
ticular instruction to put her seat as
far as possible from the one labeled
"Mr. John Towner. Biloxi. MISS" for
he finally discovered her at the ex-
treme limit Of the room.
The third morning was bright and
sunny. and the decks were crowded.
"Where shall put your chair?" said
q 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 a 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 It.
III still feel the effects Of yesterdays
illness. Priscilla. dear. can't you find
a place too?"
The girl flushed again and turned alb
ruptly away.
"Thank you. auntie, but am going
for book" she called back over heI
shoulder.
Towner tucked the rug snugly
around the elder lady's feet.
sMight I'bring my chair. too?" ne
inquired. with becoming meekness. III
is SO pleasant here"
"By all MEANS" was the gracious
reply. and In moment the two were
engaged In conversation.