Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-12
By Angela Morgan.

In the first place 1t never could have
happened under ordinary circumstances.
Esther would have repulsed him at once.
" .ie.,r..- eif lInun AHll1 .-.'s.fst how
But there are certain CONDITIONS uIlur.
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 1t to such q
crushed state of humility and misery that
the proffered assistance-even the ex-
pressed sympathy of a total stranger
seemed thing to welcome rather than to
reject. That the stranger CHANGED to be
man was no matter. Esther was ready
to accept his aid and grateful enough
for 1t.
Besides she was convinced that his mo-
tive was one of simple kindness merely
1T 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 tlirt 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 picturesque
figure on deck and that her smile was
pretty and her big eyes bright when she
thanked the stranger.
He had not only insisted upon her talk
ing his light tan overcoat as a protection
against the penetrating wind, but had
himself helped her into 1t with gentle So
licitude
AS second act of thoughtfulness he be-
slowed upon her Il Chicago morning pa
per. Reading might divert your mind"
he suggested.
1t did. Esther seemed to have forgot
ten her seasicknoss 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 enc particular ar
icle by laboriously using her hat pin.
He drew his chair closer to the railing
by which she sat-
Allow me-" he said. and produced /.
penknife.
Thank you"
Ills eyes sought the heading Of the ar
tlcie. Il see you are an admirer of John
Hart he observed, as he manipulated
the penknife.
lie could not have touched upon sub
Ject better calculated to draw Esther into
conversation. Her eyes kindled. The
mere mention of that writer's name in
variably aroused her enthusiasm,
Il think he is splendid" she answered
Don't you?"
oh, his squibs are quite readable"
Readable? Surely you think them more
than that? Why, John Hart is a strong.
forceful, wonderful writer"
You preserve his editorials?,
Every one. They are the kind one
wants to read and read again"
You think SO? 1 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 stranger was
lost sight Of in the heat of the argument.
One topic led to another. He talkedaabl
and entertainingly Esther listened and
forgot that she had ever been blue and
cold and miserable
marked. laughingly during pause. at
seems impossible that 1 was so foolish
~ helpless at first. I'm ashamed of II
now. II simply crossing Lake Michigan
has proved too much for me I'm sure I
don't see how could ever stand an ocean
voyage"
1T isn't SO formidable"
You have crossed?"
Several times"
The information opened up fresh chan
aels for conversation.
or course Esther made an effort. to steer
,lear of personalities. The destination OF |
each, however, was q subject that could |
scarcely be avoided. She learned that he |
vas on his way to join camping party |
n Michlsan-very near the resort where |
she purposed spending the summer with |
friends.
But Esther touched that topic very
lightly. OF course 1t would not-do to be |
90 confidential with a mere stranger
Somehow the reality of the situation
vas beginning to force itself upon her. |
The steamer was nearly the Michigan |
hore. Perhaps 1t was her sudden recol-
eetion OF friends awaiting her arrival at |