Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-06-19
GEORGE BARR MccUTcHEoN

Copyright, 1901. by Herbert s. stons :

think of me? I'll not so another foot!
won't be a foolv,
He was excited and self conscious
and thoroughly ashamed of the trip
into which his impetuous alteration
had driven him. Just as he was tug
ging at the door in the effort to open 1t
that he might order the driver to take
him back to the hotel sly tempter
whispered something in his ear. His
fancy was caught, and he listened:
why not go down to the pier and
look over the passenger list just to see
II she has been booked safely? That
would be perfectly proper and sensi-
bic, and. besides, 1t will be satisfac-
ton to know that she gets off all right.
Certainly! There's nothing foolish in
that. Especially as / am right on
the way there. 500 And MS l have
come SO far - there's no sense In
going back without seeing whether
she has secured passage. - l can
find out in minute and then go home.
- There won't he anything wrong
in that. And then ! may get glimpse
of her before the ship leaves the pier.
She must not see me, of course. New
Ter! Shed hugh at me. How I'd hate
to see her laughing at mer Then,
sinking back again with smile OF
justification on his face, he muttered:
I'VE won't turn back; we'll go right
ahead. Well be kind Of fool, but
not so foolish us to allow her to see us
and recognize us rs one"
Before long they arrived at the
wharf. and he hurried to the office
near by. The clerk permitted him to
look over the list. First he ran
through the first class passengers and
WAS surprised to find that. there was
no such name as Guggenslocker in the
list. Then he went over the second
class. but still no Guggenslocker.
Hasn't Mr.. Guggcnslocker taken
passagc?" he demanded. unwilling to.
believe his eyes.
Not on the Kaiser wilhelm, sir"
"Then, by George, they'll miss the.
boat" Lorry exclaimed. Maybe they'll
he here in few minutes.s
They can't get anything but steer.
age now, sir. EVERYTHING else is gone"
.Are YOU sure they haven't taken
passage2" asked the hewildered Lorry
weakly.
sYou can see for yourself" answered
the young man CURLY.
Lorry was again in a perspiration,
this time the result Of a vague. grow
ling suspicion that had forced itself In
Ito his mind. Gradually he came to
the conclusion that she had fooled him,
lad lied to him. She did not intend
to sail on the Wilhelm ut I'LL. 1t was
an very clear to him now that strange
laess in her manner, those odd OCCASION
II smiles. What was she-an adven-
.turess? That sweet faced girl little
Ordinary coquette, n liar? He turned
rold with the thought.
The changing Of bells broke upon his
ears, and he knew that the great ship
was about to depart Mechanically,
1lsconsolately, he walked out and paced
he broad. crowded wharf. All was
excitement. There were the rush Of
people, the shouts, the cheers, the puff
Ing Of tugs, the ciurning Of water, and
the Kaiser Wilhelm was off on its long
voyage. Half heartedly, miserably
and in dazed condition he found a
place in the front row along the, rail.'
There we're tears iii his eyes, tears OF
anger, shame and modification. She
had played With him!
Gloomily his disappointed eYes swept
qlong the rail Of the big steamer. half
interested in spite Of themselves. Twice
they passed o certain point on the for.
ward deck. unconscious of q force that
was attracting them In that direction.
i. The third tine he allowed them to set
i tie for IN instant on the group of faces
end figures and then stray off to other
parts of the ship. Some strange power
drew them again to the forward deck,
and this time he was startled into an
intent stare. Could he believe those
& eyes? Surely that was her figure al
the rail-there between the two young
J women who We're waving their hand.
kerchiefs SO frantically. His heart be.
gan to jump up and down, wildly
doubtingly. impatiently. Why could
not that face be turned toward the
wharf as the others were7 There was
the blue coat, but not the blue cap; Q
jaunty sailor hat sat where the never
to be forgotten cap had perched. The
change was slight, but 1t was sufficient
to throw him into the most feverisl
state OF uncertainty. An insane desire
to shout q command to this strange
young woman came over him.
The ship was slowly opening gar
between herself and the wharf, and he
knew that In a few moments recogni
, ton would be impossible. Just as ht
: was losing hope and was ready to groar
; with despair the face beneath the sail
or hat was turned squarely in his di
rection. A glaze obscured his eyes; {
. numbness attacked his brain. 1t wal
: Miss Guggensloc
A pair Of big glasses was leyeled a
: him for a second and then lowered. III,
plainly saw the smile on her face ant
the futtering cambria in her hand. HI
5 waved his hat and then his handker
chief. obtaining from her vigorous ant
unrestrained signs of appreciation. He
face was wreathed In smiles as sh,
leaned far over the rail, the picture o
y o,,iv, toll MI -.