The St. Johns herald., 1901-06-08
 EAT CROSS PURPOSES


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day. You are but the ghost of your l former self"
 "Oh, don't know" answered Mabel, as carelessly as she could. 'I only need a change, I suppose"
 Change? Well, suppose you go with us to Australia
 Australia! X sudden joy shot through MabePs heart. She had been longing and planning to get away, as far away as possible, from the spot which had grown uncomfortable to her.
 How soon are you going" she asked.
 ''By next Saturdays steamer"
 ''I will go."
 "Oh, that is too good!' cried Etta, Springing up and embracing her. cOaXed mother all 1 could to go with us, but she is too timid. Father has crossed so many times he will make a splendid escort, and you will be such delightful company for me-"
 Mabel smiled derisively. Sorry com, pany she would prove for Etta Styles, and painful thoughts crowded upon her as the needless girl rattled on.
 The day on which they sailed was cloudy and glOomy-in fit keeping with Mabels spirits. She had hoped to the last that Ronald Norton would come to her and say: Stay" but she had never seen nor heard from him since that night-maybe she never would again, and scalding tears dropped from her eyes at the thought.
 She had borne up wonderfully since deciding to go abroad, for the relief of getting out of sight of all eyes and giv- ing way to her grief was what she lived for.
 Their party had come early on board, and retired at once to their staterooms, so that Mabel was alone.
 Alone she felt, separated from her home and friends, every moment bear ing her farther and farther away from her country and-ROnald!
 She lay listening to the creaking and grooming of the ship, the hustle and strange noises which never cease upon a voyage, and never thought of them at all. Her heart and brain were filled with but one image, and she at last fell asleep with tears for him wet upon her cheeks.
 Among the last of the passengers who came abOrd the vessel was a gen. tleman with a grave, handsome face and reserved air, which gave a sort of fascinating melancholy to him; and al- though perfectly courteous he kept aloof from all, seming to prefer his book or silent meditation to all com pany. Hour after hour he spent gag ing upon the fOaming pillows, the matchless sunsets, the lovely moon lights of ocean.
 Poor Mabel and Etta were both de prived of these enjoyments, Etta being dreadfully seasick, and Mabel too worn and miserable to leave her room.
 They had been out nearly a fortnight when MT. Styles insisted on MabePs going on deck, declaring it a shame that she should lose the pleasures of the trip, which was so nearly over.
  and went with him.
 It was magnificent night The full moon, glittering on the water, and re- fected back by each wave, tinged eV- erything with silver.
 Mabel was entranced. She took MT. Styles arm and walked up and down once or twice, but her step was languid, and she grew weary.
 Mir. Styles proposed that she should sit a while, so he prepared a seat for her, and wrapped her mantle around her, but she shivered. 'Why, you haven't half enough round you! It's always cool up here," he declared.
 And off went the kind soul for an other shawl.
 Mabel waited alone, watching the groups around.
 A gentleman, smoking a cigar, had | been sitting some distance off. He threw it away and rose as if to go below.
 AS he was passing Mabel he stopped Suuueuly'
 She turned her face, inquiringly-and | Ronald Norton sprang toward her.
 "Mabel" was all he said. but the | love-light which flashed over his face and the thrill that shot through each | heart, in their passionate handclasp, told the truth.
 Mabel could not utter one word, but l lay panting with the glorious life that | had suddenly opened for her.
 No weary hours now-no languid in- diference-but two noble hearts, flee Ing from each other, had been turned back to love and happiness.
 Mabel stayed abroad long enough to | procure her bridal trousseau, but says 1ll she knows of ocean voyages is that moonlight nights are perfectly lovely.
 All He Was Good For.
 -INok l. T.