Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-08-02

They were nearing home again. Day
and night for nearly a week the good
ship had borne them steadily onward
over sea of deepest blue, calm and un-
ruffled as the light that shone in Amy's
eyes. Hours of each twentyfour Arm
strong had been the constant compan-
ion, at first of the trio, then of the two
for Mr.. Prime had found a kindred spirit
in veteran merchant homeward bound
from China-then of one alone; for Miss
Prime had found another interest and
favor in the eyes of a young tourist
paying his first visit to our shores, and
so it happened that before the voyage,
all too brief, was half over Amy Law
renee and Armstrong walked the spa
cious deck for hours alone or sat in shell
tered hooks, gazing out upon the sea.
The soft summer breezes of the first
few days had given place to keener,
chillier air. The fog ahead told of the
close proximity of the Farallones.
Heavier wraps had replaced the soft
fabrics of the Hawaiian sauuterings.
But warmth and gladness, coupled with
a strange, new shyness in his presence,
were glowing in her fresh young heart.
One day she had said to him: "I ou have
not told me how you came to leave there
Just now" and it was moment be-
fore he answered.
THAT was the surgeons doing. They
sent me back from the front because
the wound did not properly heal, and
then ordered a sea voyage until it did;
but l turn back at once from San Fran
CISCO"
She was silent a few seconds. This
was unlooked-for and unwelcome news.
Il thought" she said, "at least Gov.
heard DR.. Frank say it would be four
months before you could use that arm"
She plucked at the fringe of the heavy
shawl he had wrapped about her as she
reclined in the low steamer chair; but
the white lids veiled her eyes.
Possibly" answered Armstrong;
"but, you see, l do not have to use it
much at any time. I'm all right other
wise, and there will soon be need of me-"
More campaigning?" she anxiously
inquired, her eyes one moment uplift
ing.
Probably. Those fellows have no
ldea OF quitting.
Another interval of silence. The long,
lazy, rolling swell of the Pacific had
changed during the day to an abrupt
and tumultuous upheaval that tossed
the Doric like a cork and made Iocomo
ton a problem. The rising wind and
sea sent the spray whirling from her
bows, and Mildred's young man, cast
ing about for a dry corner, had depos-
tied his fair charge on a bench along
the forward deck house and was scout
ing up and down for steamer chairs.
Armstrong had drawn his close to that
in which Miss Lawrence reclined, her
knitted steamer cap pulled well for
ward over her brow. His feet were
braced against a stanchion. His eyes
were intent upon her sweet face. He
had no thought for other men, even
those in similar plight. His gaze,
though unhampered by the high peak
of his forage cap, comprehended moth
ing beyond the rounded outline of that
soft cheek. Her eyes, well-nigh hidden
by her shrouding Tam" saw the
searching son of Albion and told her
his need. The best of women will find
excuse for interruption at such mo-
ments when sure of the devotion of the
man who sits with fateful question
quivering on his lips; and, even VIII an
she longs to hear those very words, will
find means to defer them as kitten
dallies with a captured mouse or child