The Somerset reporter., 1900-05-10

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They both had letters to the captain,
and the captain introduced them. Her
name was Farrar, and the elderly gen
tleman, who was her father. called her
Winifred. Then they all went in search
of their respective staterooms and did
not meet again until dinner.
1t was only the first dinner The
purser, who is undoubtedly heavens
vicar on earth in the matchmaking
business, had not had time to observe
and distribute fttingly so they sat
wherever they listed or wherever they
had TO, which for Brooke was across
the table and not even opposite to her.
He bowed as he took his seat, and he
bowed when he whirled around and got
up, and for the rest they both convers-
ed with each other via the captain.
That evening Brooke went into the
purser's cabin to look at some pearls
tied mp in the corner of grimy hand
kerchef. He did not understand that
pursers see everything and do not need
to be taught their business. Brooke
was one of those pleasant people to
have about who 90 on the supposition
that you are a fool until you prove
yourself otherwise, which is a rule of
conduct having the properties. of a
boomerang. SO he brought the CONVEX
sation round in this wise: He asked if
they were likely to have pleasant
trip. The purser said that they usual
~ did at that time of year. Brooke
hoped the passengers would be agree
able too. The purser thought the Far
rars looked promising. Brooke thought
so, too, and added. 81 say. you're go
ing to put me beside Miss Farrar are
you not?' He said that he was, and
Brooke Immediately lost all interest in
the little nicked nubbins of pearls and
went back on deck, where il was cool,
and the purser smiled as he locked his
treasures In the safe again.
Brooke came in to breakfast a little
late the next morning Miss Farrar
was already seated, looking particu
larly nice. too, in what is known to
men as some soft. white MATERIAL"
with gdudy silk Panama shawl
around her shoulders The intelligent
waiter showed Brooke to the next
chair. Miss Farrar asked him to ex-
plain why it is that the sun rises on
the wrong side of the world in Panama
bay, which gave him the requisite
feeling of superiority at once. He did
not happen to know that 1t did, be-
cause he had not been up to see. but
he explained it, anyway. After break
fast he bought her aguacats from
the bumboats alongside and told her
he would show her at luncheon how to
eat them. She knew, but she pretend
ed she did not, and Brooke's opinion of
her attractions waXed.
After that the course of things in
general was as smooth as that of the
vessel as ii cut its way statesward
through the pale summer sea. BY day
they sat under the awnings and talked,
and by night they sat up in the bow,
way up In the very peak. where. If
you had the least possible good opn-
ion of yourself -and a girl of excellent
taste to help you along-you could
fancy you rather suggested Tristan,
whch-throwp in a good cigar. whose
red point of fire gives just enough
light in darkness to enable you TO see
a pair of admirng gray eyes turned up
to you-is as pleasant way of passing
an evening as fellow could wish
They sometimes watched the Southern
Cross shining all alone on its field of
blue black. sweeping across the heav-
ems. and they were silent. Silence and
the Southern Cross haze accomplished
many things.
They went ashore together at Mama
milo. also at Acapulco, and, they two
being alone in the boat, the elderly gen
tleman having gone ashore ahead and
the beautiful Mexican youth who rowed
not counting, he sang softly that the
waves were the highways so deep, so
Deep the waters her byways. asleep,
asleep" and ended with the sentiment
that thus true lovers tasted life, Stall,
Stall" He had very nice voice. Miss
Farrar told him so and wondered how
much longer at the average calcula-
ton. 1t would be before 1t would come
down from generalities to PERSONAL
tics; not that she was in any haste.
On the contrary, she liked 1t as 1t was,
What could be more charming than to
drift on over the smooth water faint
est blue in the early morning. deep
blue, dark as lapis lazull at noon steely
gray at sunset, afire with phosphores-
cence at night. and to have ever beside
you youth, handsome. agreeable and
devoted with that devotion most fiat