Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-05-24

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like many old gent emen, had made hts
neighbors' affairs the business Of his
declining years. ] learned all I wished
to know, which, after all, was not
much and chief concerned two people
the girl with the pale, pensive face
and the man with the warlike mus
tache. She, was relieved to know.
was not his wife, but a young Aus
tralian girl, Miss Hurst by name, who
was. returning home with her mother
The mother was the old lady in black
who sat next to her at dinner-awfully
sad story. Came home for pleasure.
trip and lost Mr.. Hurst shortly after
landing. = The military looking gentle.
man with the red face was Major
Coghlan. retired-awfully brilliant,
Shouldn't wonder If there's a wedding
when We get to Melbourne. And SO
on and so on. =t..t. .e s&:.
Somehow the major did not seem
such a formidable creature after this,
though he discoursed wars with all the
hero's disdain OF death and banded
the names. Of distinguished generals
with the easy familiarity Of an equal.
He knew everything and everybody,
and, with the natural garrulity Of an
Irishman, he did not hide his accom-
plishments, though he might have left
one wondering how such very ex-
traordinary person was permitted to
retire from service which he did so
much to adorn. Alas. a prophet hath
no honor in his own country!
I can afford to treat the major lightly
now, but then he was person Of some
consequence in our little floating world,
man who "tuk the fure'' and made
himself heard. Over concert, theat-
ricals or ball he was the presiding gen.
ius. He promoted sweepstakes on the
days run, got up cricket matches and
tennis parties and, like the gentleman
In the comic opera. was Lord High
Everything.
Such greatness I did not envy him,
for there are still a few positions which
one may not aspire to, but I strongly
objected to his taking possession Of
Miss Hurst every time she appeared
on deck and behaving as, though he
were the only worshiper fit to approach
the shrine. | am not ashamed to ad-
NIT that the lady interested me greatly,
and was not content with a bow and
smile and few words promiscuously
dropped. But, thanks to the major,
such for long time seemed to be my
only portion.
One morning, however, / found her
alone. leaning on the rail looking into
the sea. and though my advent. startled
her she quickly recovered herself and
gave me a pleasant greeting. Then
from the common objects of ship life
we touched on many subjects. and she
was in the midst Of a glowing descrip-
ton OF her native land when the major
appeared upon the scene. thought
shade crossed her face; I'd swear her
pretty mouth pouted. 1t was foolish,
perhaps, but as l looked l felt an in
ward joy. -
"Been looking for you everywhere.
Miss Hurst he exclaimed. "Just made
up set and want you for, a partner"
He smiled his broad red smile and
scanned me somewhat triumphantly.
bowed and was about to turn away,
when she replied:
''Thank you, Major Coghlan. 1 won't
play this morning."
"Oh. but it's crool of you," he re-
piled. land after all the preparations
too
"1'm so sorry. There are plenty of
players" -s.. "
Aye he said boldly, "but it is
quality we want, not quantity"
She turned aside without replying.
and some one coming after him at that
moment he apologized profusely for
having to leave us. But his eye, as it
caught mine. had no twinkle in it.
That was but one of many long con-
versa tons l had with her, for with the
1mpetuosity OF youth l flung down my
gage to the redoubtable warrior, much
to the amusement Of the other passen-
gers, who invariably spoke Of us as the
hated rivals. But that was only their
little way. The major and l never for
got to treat each other with the most
gentlemanlike courtesy. T.,
49, esSAOSo SAC
was delightful. Feeling that l was
free Of the Terror abandoned myself
to the enjoyment Of my new surround
ings and lived each exhilarating day
to the full. It was pleasant to survey
the dark, far stretching circle of sea
and know that we were cut off from all
communication with our fellows No.
one could harm US here. There was no
ambuscade, no dark streets from which
man might spring and up which he
might disappear. We were alone upon.
the waters, and I sometimes sighed at
the knowledge that life could not be al
ways thus. :%5= r. **=s p s
When we arrived at Port Said, /
made one Of Miss Hurst's shore going
party. l say Miss Hurst's because she
seemed the planet round which we
lesser satellites revolved, though Ma.
jor Coghlan was, OF course, the active.
leader Of the expedition. He marshaled
US In line, cast a severe military eye
down our ranks and then gave the or.
der to march and at the head Of his un-
aO16iorl3En dofu ohm ONT al a,,e