The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-03-13
A LAKE STEAMER ROMANCE
BY Angela Moryan.

In the first place it never could have
happened under ordinary circumstances.
Esther would have repulsed him at once.
She prided herself upon knowing just how
to handle such an affair.
But there are certain conditions under
which even the greatest stickler for pro-
priety. may be tempted to waive the pre-
cious rules which form his usual code of
conduct.
Seasickness is one of these conditions.
Esther had been reduced by it to such a
crushed state of humility and misery that
the proffered assistance-even the eX-
pressed sympathy Of a total stranger
seemed a thing to welcome rather than to
reject. That the stranger CHANGED to be
a man was no matter. Esther was ready
to accept his aid and grateful enough
for it.
Besides she was convinced that his mo-
tive was one Of simple kindness merely.
sit couldn't be anything else," she
thought, with dismal amusement, remem-
bering the doleful image her chatelaine
mirror had revealed. mo one would care
to fiirt with a fright. 1t can't be that my
BURBERRY lips, dun complexion and wind
tousled hair attracts him"
Esther did not know that in spite of
these drawbacks she made a picturesque
figure on deck and that her smile was
pretty and her big eyes bright when she
thanked the stranger.
He "a not only insisted upon her talk
ing his light tan overcoat as q protection
against the penetrating wind, but had
himself helped her into it with gentle so
licitude.
IS a second act of thoughtfulness he be-
slowed upon her a Chicago morning pa
per. Reading might divert your mind, =
he suggested.
It did. Esther seemed to lave forgot
ten her seasickness when the strange
young man glanced her way again. Her
face was alight with interest as she read.
Putting the paper down at length she
attempted to cut out one particular ar
ticle by laboriously Using her hat pin.
He drew his chair closer to the railing
by which she sat.
Allow me- he said, and produced a
penknife.
Thank you"
Ills eyes sought the heading of the ar.
ticle. II see you are an admirer Of Johr
Hart" he observed, as he manipulated
the penknife.
He could not have touched upon a sub.
ject better calculated to draw Esther int
conversation. Her eyes kindled. The
mere mention Of that writer's name in.
yariably aroused her enthusiasm.
81 think he is Splendid she answered
Don't gu"
s"Oh, his squibs are quite readable"
"Readable2 Surely you think them more
than that? Why, John Hart is a strong
forceful, wonderful writer
you preserve his editorials g,
Every one. They are the kind one
wants to read and read again.
You hin SO? / cannot say they i'm,
press me as being so valuable.
Esther was on the defensive at once
The fact of this man being a strange was
lost sight of in the heat of the argument
One topic led to another. He talked ably
and entertainingly. Esther listened and
forgot that she had ever been blue an
cold inc miserable.
Ascase Of diverted attention., she re
marked, laughingly during n pause. IT
seems impossible thar I wasgsa foolish
" helpless at first. I'm ashamed Of il
row.. II simply crossing Lake Michigan
has proved too much for me I'm sure
don't see how I could ever stand an oceaI
voyage" u
ut isn't SO Formidable