Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-08-01
A TWICE-LIVED DAY.
ny HOWARD c. WARREN.

| ILteNblis hnNAt uNtc lilt NAAlA Aaa N'+-AN
from, anyhow"
Laura Marcy and a vast array OF rugs and
wraps were joint occupants Of a steamer
chair in a secluded corner Of the deck Of the
Pacific liner City of Pekin;" her voice
came from the interstices between several
pillows, veil and hood. Perry Prescott S
chair stretched over a considerable portion
of the deck in her neighborhood. They were
gazing out at the sea, and talking fitfully.
why, we pick it up out here in md
ocean, answered Perry; 1--WE carry II along
a way, and drop it where the steamers go
ing the other way can't find it"
'Oh, yes, OF course; but where does the
extra time come froms l really don't IN
derstand it at ALL"
cts simply taken from the boats that
we pass going westward. Some time to
night, you know" said Perry, gravely, I'VE
meet a freight steamer. They have plenty
of time TO spare on board. We heaye to,
send out boat, ask for an extra day, pay
well for it, and ship it aboard. In the morn
! ing you and | wake up, and it is to-day
again. That's the way they manage it.
Miss Marcy"
Mr.. Prescott, think you are very rude
really want to find out about it. If you
don't know, yourself, don't be ashamed to
confess your ignorance.
Pardon me, Miss Marcy" said Perry; II
was speaking in parallels, Of course; but
there Is an element OF truth in what / said,
The boats going westward lose a day, and
we gain one; that's the truth. l was just
putting the transaction on a commercial
bass, that's all. !"
But how can il be sog"
Easily enough. We drop an hour, here
and there, when we don't especially need
it,; and to-day, when the voyage begins 70
grow tedious, we call them all in and paste
them together, so we can get in day
earlier"
Thank you for abiding 20 the tedium 81
the voyage. For my part I think il rather
pleasant except that ] cannot always en-
JOY my meditations without interruption.
IF that is all, VIII see the voyage j. one
grand round Of pleasure for you IN the tu
ture"
There was a long pause Prescott moved |
about uneasily in his chair; he started 70 |
rise once or twice, thought better Of it each /
time, and finally settled down 20 a silent |
contemplation OF the ocean and the exten. 1
sion-end OF his companions chair. a little |
tan shoe swung neryously to and fro in the
line Of his gaze
"0f course / can take my chair 10 the
other end Of the deck, If you wish" he
sad, softly, at length. But as your pill
lows and wraps constitute all your land
scape in this direction, possibly my mere
presence here viii not interfere with your
enjoyment"
1T is quite immaterial to me what you
do" was the naughty reply.
Another long pause. The little tan shoe
had worked itself clear of the wrap, a bit
Of black stocking and blue skirt ap.
peared.
Let me obscure your view for an in
stant," sad Prescott, as he stopped over 10
luck in the wrap.
What time is itg' was the evasive reply.
"Half-past four; no, half-past i've. / for
got to omit the last hour we dropped over.
board"
why don't you drop overheard after II,
md secure it for your own private use
You would spend it in very amiable com
iany"
The silence was awful. The little shoe
waved furiously. At length Laura rose.
II am going down TO mother" she said.
brupty. NO, thank you; those wraps
Eill be all right there. Good-by."
She steadied herself by the rail, and
lassed quickly along the compauionway |
'rescott was left standing beside her chair
The evening passed away without his
eeing her. The next morning was stormy |
nd she stayed below with her mother
'hen it cleared, and in the afternoon she
ppeared on deck again. Prescott had set
ler chair next 20 his own in the same 81.
luded corner, and carefully placed the
ugs and pillows upon it.
Laura greeted him pleasantly enough. and
flowed him TO tuck her in the chair with
mt word. When they spoke again IL was
bout the storm and her mothers illness.
here was no allusion to their quarrel; each
vas ostentatiously friendly, yet there was
marked constraint about the conversation,
which soon died away.
Suddenly Laura broke the spell.
"Apropos of this repeating a day, Mr..
she said, mischievousy, where
oes the extra day come from anyhow
Quick as a fash Perry responded: "Why. |
re pick it up in the middle Of the ocean,
nd an amused smile played over his coun-
enance. Evidently their thoughts had
lken the same road, and reached the same
destination at about the same tirle.
But where does the extra time come
romg really don't understand it at
H."
we drop an idle hour, here and there,
ont you know, all the way around the
world: and then, when we find we have
one something we are sorry for, we pick
hem all up. paste them together. and live
be same day over again. And I'm glad its
o. added Prescott, with feeling, "for
ever wanted to live a day over so much |
S yesterday mean to-day"
There was a pause. A little tan shoe. the
late OF the one that had appeared before.
7as tapping the chair nervously. A flushed {
ace peered witchingly out from among the I
flows. laura broke the silence.
What time is ity' she said. demurely
Prescott looked at her in some surprise, !
ncertain how 10 answer the question.
you mean it is time for me to apol-" he
egan.
mo, no, no, Listen, what time is its'
A hight began to dawn on Preseott's face
ooh, let me see; half-past four!"
Go on, urged Laura.