The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-12
JADED BY SCIENCE
By WILLIAM F. BROWN

i If any thought of this same Richard Forbes
crossed Carl Won Grundmann's mind as he
stepped to Hilda Wares side, it was only such
as one bestows on an adversary, worthy
doubtless, but hopelessly beaten
Miss Ware turned at Won Grundmann's
greeting. t.Oh, good morning, captain she
said gravely with a subtle touch of WEAKNESS
in her voice. do you know how far we have
Gomez"
I'm not sure" replied the captain, "but
l recollect hearing one of the officers say
something about the Shoals as passed him.
That means something like 300 miles nearer
England, doesn't 1t?
i dare say replied the girl indifferently,
putting up her hand to push back a lock OF
rebellious dead gold hair that had blown
across her forehead.
The unconscious grace of the action famed
the passion in Won Grund1nann's breast into
flame.
"Hilda,'' he said abruptly and yehemently,
there is something must say to YOU 7
hadn't meant it to be soon, but can wait
no longer. 1 love you, Hilda. Surely you
must have guessed my secret, must have
realized what it would mean when you agreed
to your aunts hasty plan for us to Cross to-
gether. Will you be my wife?''
Miss Ware leaned family against the dayit.
81 am very sorry you have said this to me,
Captain Won Grundmann, she said, pres
emily, 3.sand ask you to forgive me If my
answer is no. I ought to have foreseen. When
auntie planned this trip, was in sore
trouble. My only thought was to get away
from Boston and familiar places. didn't
consider that you might think" A pro-
longed repeated cheer from the handful Of
people grouped about the mast broke in on
her faltering speech. InVoluntarily the cap
tain turned.
One of the boats officers was coming along
the deck scrap of paper futtering in his
hon IL ,k<r n fha-n tn
During for some one. Hilda caught the echo
of her name.
81 am Miss Ware" she called. 'sWhat is
wanted?'
The officer advanced.
-"AlloW me to congratulate you, madam"
he said cordially, ION being the first Ameri-
can OF your sex to receive personal mes
sage by wireless biography. This has come
over almost a hundred miles Of Atlantic
ocean, .ss2z
He extended the paper with bow.
"A message, Hilda?' broke in dominating
voice. Mrs: Ware had joined them unob-
served. How very singular! Who is it
from? Let me have it, pray
st is for me-. I think" responded 1Hilda,
quietly. with your permission" to Won
Grundmann.
AS her eyes scanned the brief lines, a sud
den wave Of color flooded Hilda's pale cheek,
and she stood TRANSPORTED, radiant 90.
asked, TREMENDOUSLY.
Nothing easier,,"' replied the officer, cour-
teously. THE conditions are excellent, al
most perfect. We shall probably be in COM
munication with the lightship Nantucket for
an hour
Will you kindly telegraph Yes TOTO the
one who sent this?'' said Hilda simply
The officer bowed and departed.
If you have quite finished, Hilda,'' OBJ
served Mrs Ware icly, 81 beg you will give
Count Won Grundmann and myself an expia-.
| nation We are somewhat unystifed.''
-Hilda thrust the paper into her aunt's hand.
A premonition of coming disaster seized on
Mrs. Ware as she deliberately adjusted her
| glasses. :-.-
Richard Godfrey Forbes, Boston Mercury,
Wireless Telegraph Station, Nantucket, to
Miss HilGa Ware on board S. S. Lucenia:
| Dear Hilda-Don't understand note and al
| fusion to fortune hunter. Wrong me. Mys-
! terry about failure to receive letters. Will YOU
! be my wife? Wire answer Yes VIII take
next boat :,s.-.-D;ck
The Nemesis she had cast into the sea was
threatening her with an awful day of .reck-
oning, but Mrs. Ware made last stand.
! What does it mean?" she queried brayely.
1T means replied her niece, meeting her
gaze steadily, that in some way Dick has
l been cruelty wronged. He has just asked me
to be his wife. You heard what my answer
! was
Mrs. Ware opened her lips, but speech
/ failed her. Won Grundmann, however. had
| sprung from fighting stock. His face was
! curiously white, but he raised Hilda's unre-
sisting hand to his lips with an old-world
/ gesture. -.
i Permit me to congratulate you, Miss
/ Ware" he, said, unfateringly.