The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-08

him that he was evidently a person with
considerable fund OF humor. Not that
the girl laughed much. though he seemed
20 address his remarks 10 her In particu-
lar Occasionally a smile fitted over her
race. fugitive thing that vanished 30
swiftly IL might have been afraid to be
found there. Watching her intently and
judging from the start she gave when
suddenly appealed to. / knew her mind
was preoccupied with something other
than the chatter about her. Indeed the
melancholy which had already noticed,
the startled. frightened look of the eyes
proclaimed the existence OF thought
which could not be forgotten.
After dinner the sound of singing led
me 10 the music room, and as i lounged
In the doorway ! beheld the military
looking man singing to the girls ac-
compartment The ballad was extreme
ly touching and described with much
protestation the fact that the young
gentleman would be true till death :"
The singer put power Of pathos into
the declaration and glanced down at the
girl with the ardor OF a three-year-old,
but his face was very red. his voice no
longer that OF impassioned youth. She
never looked up. which was exceedingly
unkind. The raising OF her thickly
fringed lids would have revealed a be-
wildsring world OF loveliness to her ad-
mirer. IL would have made him protest
until there was no more breath In his
body. Besides. IL Is SO easy for q woman
TO look up from piano. fash a dazzling
glance at bewildered man and then leave
him I'm the outer gloom of darkness and
doubt And don't the dear creatures
know how TO do II to perfection?
Being a stranger on board and regarded
no doubt as something In the nature of
an intruder. the first day was produc-
tive of little information concerning my
fellow passengers. but on the second day.
thanks TO the garruousness OF aa old
gentleman who. like many old gentlemen
had made his neighbors sffairs the busi-
ness Of his declining years, I learned all
/ wished TO know. which after all, was
not much and chiefly concerned two
people--the girl with the pale. pensivs
face and the man with the wariike mus
tache. She. was relieved to know was
not his wife. but young Australian
girl. Miss Hurst by name. who was re-
turning 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 a pleasure trip
and lost Mr., Hurst shortly after landing.
The military looking gentleman with tho
red face was Major Coghlan, retired
hwfully brilliant. Shouldn't wonder II
there's a wedding when we get TO Mel
bourne. And so on and so on.
ooinouoW the IUdJOT 0lQ nOt seem tuCn
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 every
thing and everybody. and. with the
natural garrulity OF an Irishman. he did
not hide his accomplishments. though he
might have left one wondering how such
a very extraordinary person was per-
q uyh fnh h.
did so much to adorn. Alas, a prophet
hath no honor In his own countryl
/ can afford to treat the major lightly
now. but then ne WAS a person OF some
In our little floating world.
a man who TUX the fure" and made
himself heard. Over concert theatricals
or ball he was the presiding genius. He
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 strongly objected
to his taking possession of Miss Hurst ev-
cry time she appeared on deck and be-
having as though he were the only wor-
shipper 1T to approach the shrine. am
not ashamed TO admit that the lady in
terested me greatly. and I was not con-
tent with a bow and a smile and a few
words promiscuously dropped. But thanks
to the major. such for long time SEEM
ed to be my only portion.
One morning. however, I 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 description OF her ma
fxr.i o.NA x.,Ax
the scene. / thought shade crossed her
face; Id swear her pretty mouth pouted.
II was foolish perhaps. but as I looked
felt inward Joy.
Been looking for you everywhere. Miss
Hurst" he exclaimed. Just made up n
set and want you for partner" He
smiled his broad red smile and scanned
me somewhat triumphantly. 1 bowed and
was about to turn away. when she re-
piled.
Thank you. Major Coshlan. won't
play this morning"
"Oh, but IT'S crooi Of you." he replied, /
and after all the preparations too
m SO sorry. There are plenty OF play
srs"
Aye" he said boldly, but II Is quality
we want. not quantity"
She turned aside without replying, and
some one coming after him at that mo-
nent he apologixed profuseiy for having J
20 leave US. But his eve, az IL caught |
nine, had no twinkle IN IT,
That was but one OF many long conver-
'atioDs had with her. for with the i'm |
,etuosity OF youth I flung down my gage |
20 the undoubtsble warrior much |
% the amusement OF tho other passen-
rerr. who invariably spoke OF us as the |
istede rivols But that was only their ilt- |
lie way. The major and J never forgot 10 J
rest each other with the most gentle |
nanlike courtesy.
The run across the Mediterranean was
delightful. Feeling that was free Of the |
Terror I Abandoned myself 10 the en- /
oyment OF my new surroundings and |
ived each sKhilarating day TO the full n |
vas pleasant 20 survey the dark. far |
tretchins circle OF sea and know that we |
we're cut on from all communication with
ur fellows. No one could harm as here.
There was no ambuscade. no dark streets
rom which man might spring and up
-. - al.xt.s IL. WXFm