Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-13
only portion.


her she quickly recovered herself aud
gave me a pleasant greeting. Their
from the common objects of ship life
we touched on many subjects, and sh,
was In the midst of glowing descrip
ton of her native land when the mato,
appeared upon the scene. thought
shade crossed her face; I'd swear hei
pretty mouth pouted. II was foolish
perhaps, but as looked 1 felt an In
ward Joy.
Been looking for you everywhere
Miss Hurst" he exclaimed. "Just mad,
up a set and want you for a partner
DE smiled his broad red smile and
scanned me somewhat triumphantly.
bowed and was about TO turn away
when she replied:
Thank you. Major Coghlan. 1 won,
play this morning"
ooh, but it's crool Of you" he re
piled, "and after all the preparation,
too
I'm so sorry. There are plenty O,
players"
aye" he said boldly, but IL Il
quality we want not quantity"
She turned aside without replying
and some one coming after him at tina
moment he apologixed profusely foi
having to leave US. But his eye, as
caught mine. had no twinkle in IT.
That was but one of many long con
versations had with her, for with the
impetuosity Of youth flung down my
gage to the redoubtable warrior, much
to the amusement of the other passen
gers, who invariably spoke OF us as the
hated rivals. But that was only thei,
little way. The major and never for
got to treat each other with the mos,
gentlemanlike courtesy.
The run across the Mediterranean
was delightful. Feeling that / wa.
free OF the Terror l abandoned myself
TO the enjoyment Of my new surround.
ings and lived each celebrating day
to the full. 1t was pleasant to survey
the dark, far stretching circle of ses
and know that we were cut Off from al
communication with our fellows. Nc
one could harm us here. There was nc
ambuscade, no dark streets from which
man might spring and up which hs
might disappear We were alone upon
the waters. and I sometimes sighed al
the knowledge that life could not be a..
ways thus.
When we arrived at Port Said.
made one OF Miss Hursts shore going
party. l say Miss Hurst's because she
seemed the planet round which we
lesser satellites revolved, though Ma.
Jor Coghlan was, OF course, the active
leader OF the expedition. He marshaled
us In line, cast severe military eve
down our ranks and then gave the or.
der to march and at the head of his un.
soldierlike detachment led us through
the town.
A wonderful fellow, the major, but
his incesSant chatter wearied me, and
while he and my uncle were trying
their luck at roulette 1 stole away and.
Joining Miss Hurst, who was standing
near the door, suggested that we
should pursue our Investigations alone.
She hesitated for a moment, then smil-
ed, and together we walked along, ex-
patiating upon the novelty Of our sur
roundings. though the novelty was
more mine than hers, as she had been
ashore here during her voyage from
Australia
but things are different now" she
I said. MY father was with us then"
1t was the first time had heard her
willingly speak of him, and l noted
the tone of utter sadness in her voice.
I longed to tell her that 1, too, had lost
father and mother. only / dared not
mention how.
Il have heard that he died very sud-
denly" / said, for I was interested
deeply in anything that interested her.
YES" she answered, and hot as the
day was l saw her shudder.
81 am so sorry"
She started. Her eyes sought mine
and rested there.
'You did not know himT'
NO, but / am sorry for your sake"
Thanks" Then she added in low
tone which was full of meaning, "You
would be more sorry If you knew all"
We wandered little farther on with
out speaking, both being, / take it,
somewhat embarrassed or preoccupied
with thought. Then. as we stopped at
the corner of street to view some
wares in window, an Arab approach
ed us, dotted his fez and salaamed OBJ
sequiously. turned sharply to the
fellow with a "WeIl, what is it?" but
instead OF replying he presented Miss
Hurst with letter. salaamed again
and without speaking walked off.
The girl, holding the letter in her
hand, made no attempt to open 1t, but
instead turned an inquiring pair of
eyes to mine and murmured:
"Why should he bring me this letter.
don't know anybody here"
"Hadn't-you better open it?''
She looked at the letter and then
again at me, a movement proclaiming
the utmost nervousness, then with an
effort she tore the envelope. /, as in
duty bound, turned aside once more to
inspect the wares in the ;ndow, when
half stified gasp sudd,...y caused me
to face about She stood there pale
positively to the lips, the open letter
trembling In her hand, her eyes start