The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-21


ures paced.
One that Of man. square-built,
wbite-bearded. energetic In movement;
the other a woman, small of stature,
graceful of carriage, yelled and crepe
clad from head to feet.
They were very silent, these two, as
they walked the length of the ship
and back again-once. twice.
All day had turbulence RULED the
breast of the mighty Atlantic. All day
had dark clouds gone scudding gloom
fly over the sky. All day had the
winds wierd voices been muttering
aloft in the rigging. >
And all day had rebellion ruled the
heart of the sailors. Dark frowns had
sun-burned faces; from stem to stern
had their voices been Kissing and
whispering fierce discomfort.
And the lurid sun had at last gone
down in the waters blood red And the
night was come.
II am sorry the weather is so I'M
pleasant the first evening you have
yentured on deck" the captain said to
his companion.
She put up one hand suddenly. and
nung her veil aside with quick,
sitting cry.
yes, yes! what a night 1t Isl And
yet. could not stay below IL feel
smothering! II is so still--so awfully
calm and still, and--and ominously OPP
pressive!"
ut is ominous. this quiet" in mourn
ful acquiescence. "The storm will be
upon us soon. And-why, how you are
trembling! You have been I'll? l
thought SO the first day you came on
board-when you faintedi"
81 remember" YEARLY. 81 saw a
face that"-speaking with an effort
shat was like another knew well.
or course there could be no connection
between the two, for he--he of whom
speak. Is a gentleman OF wealth and
position, while this man was only
only common sailor"
ION this ship"
"Yes. l caught barely glimpse OF
him. but was still weak from recent
illness, and 1t unnerved me-"
WAS 1t not rash to venture on so
fatiguing voyage so soon?" he ques-
toned, kindly.
"Oh," and the sweet. childish voice
was very low and heartsick, II wish
hadn't come! l don't know just how
it happened that I did! My father
died." with queer break in the
young voice, very suddenly, and the
shock was too much for me. For a
while | was ill-seriously i'll. When I
recovered they told me-papa's old
friends-that must go to my grand
father, who wanted me--to America"
She lifted one slight hand and
brushed the soft hair off her forehead.
as If it's touch oppressed her.
II refused at first TO go; but they
talked so. they argued SO, they said he
was my only living relative, and-and
Oh" with a long. duivering sigh,
cit seems all so vague and confused
40 me yet! But camel
"My poor child"
And then for while again there
was silence. II
"You are faintl" the old captain
cried. suddenly, noticing with quick,
selfreproach, her tagging step. IL
have quite tired you out. Forgive mel"
He drew forward a camp stool and
made her sit down.
you are better, Miss Laurie--you
are sure you are better?" and the
gruff voice had grown as gentle as
woman's. Lord, Lord, child, they
shouldn't have let you cross the ocean
so soon! Perhaps | shouldn't talk so
much about your affairs-perhaps it
isn't my place; but I've daughter at
home just about your age-and some
time 1t seems to me-" growing ingram
NAUTICAL In his fervor, that you are
her"
A man emerging from the compan-
ionway paused as the sound of Capt.
Merrick's apologize voice, and the
low, protesting murmur that followed
Il, fell upon his ear. Then he moved
stealthily across the deck, till he stood
but few fee; behind the speakers,
the dense darkness screening him
completely.
He dropped his lighted cigar into the
black food below. Perhaps a few
wreaths he had puffcd had foated to
the quiet figure before him and had
brought him TO her recollection. for
she looked up suddenly.
"Captain!"
"Yes"
"Who Is he? You know who mean
your only other cabin passenger.
Who Is her"
you do not know him?" amazedly.
mo, how should II But I.Aoh, :"
with quick. hysterical catching of
her breath, II am afraid of him am
afraid OF him!"
"You are afraid of him." blankly-
''of him? has he." In swift, fierce sus-
picion, spoken to you--offended
you"
"Oh, no. no. mol have only seen
him few times In passing through
the cabin. cannot explain it. Ihaye
heard of such dislikes-seolish and un-
grounded. Such. I suppose, is mine.
try to rcason--to laugh myself out of