Smyrna times., 1901-03-13


arriving passengers, the loading of
trunks and baggage, the officers from
the company dashing here and there
with papers, the noise from the engine
of the great crane that was loading the
hold with luggage, all meant to her
''going home?" She was glad she
knew no one and could stand there and
try to realize that at last the moment
had come to which she had been look
ing forward for six months. She
laughed softly to herself at her own
delight.
Nobody could understand me, she
said, even, ''if they knew I've counted
every day since left my own country
until could go back again. 1 wanted
to come because l had to see things,
and 1 wouldn't have missed it all for
worlds, but now that have grasped
my opportunity, seen all of Europe l
could in six months, 1 am glad,
glad it's over and I'm going home"
The last warning bell to visitors had
sounded, the last delinquent passenger
had arrived, frightened at the hour,
and had been hustled on board. the
ropes had been loosened from the pier
and with thrill Dorothy felt the first
faint movement OF the ship as it swung
gently from the dock and took its slow
course down the river toward the
English Channel. Her eyes grew
misty as she looked toward the
brighter line of water ahead, and
thought how they would plow steadily
on through the dancing channel out
into the sea.
"And the next thing will be our
own beautiful harbor," she said, and
turned from the rail to meet the eyes
of a man who stood behind her, and
who had the air of having been there
for some time.
"Henry!" Dorothy exclaimed, and
held out her hand. 81 never was sc
surprised in my life. didn't even
know you were over here"
ST knew you'd be surprised, and
waited without speaking for you tc
turn, so as not to spoil it. trust you
are delighted-I am"
"Oh, 1 am awfully glad, Dorothy
said, heartily. ''I left the Pearson'
in Brussels and am all alone. 1t is de
lightful to fall III with an friend, anC
especially some one from home. Hav'
you been over long?"
"About four months. Didn't you
family tell you?"
"No; 1 suppose they forgot it.
Dorothy was very glad to find tina
she knew some one, for the few day
passed more pleasantly with Henry t
talk and listen to. They had alway
know one another, and yet had neve
been much together. They fell a
once into a friendly intimacy, an
Dorothy found herself wondering VIII
she had never seen more of him, whe
they were at home; why they had nc
only met at 'they big thing" an
never been in the small and more int
mate circle. She really knew litt
about him or his affairs, and yet sh
called him by his name, and woul
have been surprised at anthing bI
Dorothy from him. They ha
played together long ago.
''How perfectly delightful he is
she thought more than once, when
tucked her rug about her and than s
down beside her as she lay comfor
ably in her deck chair, and they hi
talked of places they liked in the O
World they were leaving. .
When the first days were over al
the ships company shaken and slft'
and settled into place, she told herst
she was glad it was slow steame
mot that I'm not eager to get HON
but 1 do enjoy the life on shipboard
A little thought obtruded itself tn
Henry made it enjoyable, an
as she always talked with herself
though she were two, she replied, -
course he does. He is so agreeable a
sensible" and then picked up b
book.
"Do you know" said Henry, eai
one morning, as they walked up do
on the deck still damp from its da
cleaning and breathed in the shal
bracing air, "there are lots of pref
girls on board?"
eyes, all those Canadian girls
pretty" Dorothy answered.
'Have you noticed the blonde, W
the foppy hair? She is the prettl
of the lot. 1 like the way her D
blows out in little straight strings.
What a close observer you are
said Dorothy, conscious of sudt
dislike to straight, light hair I
''Aopped."
Later that morning Henry sat