Waterbury Democrat., 1901-07-16

Shipboard friendships, especially be- tween hardened travellers, progress rapidly, and once forgiven for the as sault the Gladstone made on the Sara toga, Miss Gray and myself became friendly, even to the extent of chum- miness. That is her word I disclaim responsibility.
 In six days at sea two people will have exhausted all ordinary topics of conversation. Then they begin on af- fairs that on land would be sacred aft CT decades acquaintance.
 We had the deck to ourselves, and ~were sitting behind the protection of a deck cabin. I had been, as if I were still a boy, retailing much matter con cerning myself and my 7doings.
 And now," I said, as came to the end of the chapter, .I am actually running away back to America for fear of a marriage happening to me-"
 ''You are becoming interesting. Please go on."
 ignored the badinage, which, in- deed, was unworthy of her. '.Yes, it is a fact. My dear Aunt Eliza was planning a descent upon my bachelor HOOO- W1ln d QCdl III AC1 and, knowing auntie's propensities, I just skipped. I shall probably go to the Philippines via San Francisco"
 How funny. Just my case, too. Not about going to the Philippines; but I am also running away from a prospective matrimonial alliance. Such things have happened, but wouldn't it be curious if it were we who were running away from one .another?"
 That would be curious" I as sented-
 Speak for yourself, please. But, seriously, we must investigate and settle the matter"
 "sThat is easily done," I replied. Do you know my Aunt Lizzie?"
 ''I haven't the pleasure"
 ''Then you don't know, my Aunt Liz zie, for if you did you would not think of knowing her was a pleasure. That sounds very like a bull, but I think it will stand the test. However, if you do not know my Aunt Lizzie, you certainly can't be the dear girl she was bringing to bear upon me, and, therefore, it is evident that am not running away from you. o. D., as they say in Euclid"
 "Well, I suppose it is equally sure that you were not the particular man was running away from" It was Sunday morning when we sailed up the grand old Delaware. Miss Gray and I were leaning over the rail watching the green and gold of the shore as it slowly unfolded be-, fore us.
 A puffing little tug was coming to meet us, and we knew that it con- tained the health officer and the ad vance guard of customs men.
 My companion was unusually silent, and indeed I was in no mood for light conversation. Two people thrown closely together for II days find much in common, and then to wrench off that friendship suddenly on enter ing port when they each go their sep arate ways, gives pause to the most careless heart. There is something | in the companionship formed on the | ocean that binds closely. I felt the coming separation, and vaguely, but none the less bitterly, resented it.
 Docs the sight of home again make you sad? I thought you were a much travelled young lady?" I had no warning of the words that were to come.
 'I deceived you in trifiing matter, and though the thing is of no conse- quence, I felt like telling you the | truth. I told you in jest that I was in the same boat as yourself, that |, too, was running away from a mate. On the contrary, am running to meet one. No, not one of my. choos- l ing, but one ready found for me. I know you will think it strange that I should speak of this at all to you, but I felt that I must tell someone. | And then we did discuss one anoth- er's affairs so freely that it isn't as if I were telling it to a stranger.''
 The snorting little tug was lying at our feet. We were both watching the white-duck sailors making fast.
 Her hand was in mine.
 'Soon neither of us will have to run away" I whispered.