The San Francisco call., 1904-12-09

that in a few hours he would be
on American sofl.
The two months he had spent trot-
ting about the Continent had been ut
terly wasted. Instead of allaying the
old, dull pain they had intensified it;
for in every gallery and garden and
palace and particularly in the dingy
old cathedrals Polly's face, wistful
regretful. but firm, had obtruded it
self upon his vision. He could not
help comparing those happy days
when he had followed her over all
Europe and their jolly, frank COM
panionship had been the bright spot
of his life, with his present condition
of lonely boredom.
AS he stood disconsolate by the
rail he fully realized that the trip,
which he had hoped might result in
at least partial forgetfulness, had
been dismal failure. He was glad
it was at an end =
He turned from the rail with the
intention of seeking the seclusion of
way along the deck, his mind still
occupied with disquieting thoughts
ne awkwardly bumped against the
footrest of an isolated steamer chair.
He lifted his cap and turned to Of
fer abject apologies to the occupant
of the chair, but instead of speaking
he stood quite still. staring in amaze
ment. When he did speak it was a
single word into which was crowded
a whole gamut of emotions:
Polly"
The girl sprang from the chair.
joint" she cried in a tone that
matched his own
Corbin leaned against the rail and
continued to stare at her as if he
could not credit his eyes.
Great Scott he said, running his
hands through his hair and smiling
foolishly.
We'll. you're the last person 1 ex-
pected to meet" said she.
Corbin groaned.
And I've missed six whole days of
your society" he complained. Tell
me, how does it happen L have not
seen you before? ?'
TIL girl laughed.
Mamma is none too good a sailor,
you know, and this has been a rather
hard passage" she explained. I've
been looking after her the greater part
OF the time
Corbin turned his eyes and looked
thoughtfully at the thin blue line of
the horizon.
Wen be docked in five hours" he
said. May l claim those five hours
of your time ?"
Yes she said readily. Shall we
stay here?"
Now said Corbin. when he had
sat down together, tell me about your
summer campaign ?"
"Oh"-she shrugged her shoul-
ders-"the usual thing-a month in
town and then the usual round Of
stupid country places"
with dukes and earls dancing a
lively attendance" he supplemented
Let's not talk of them" she said
quickly. Il am tired to death Of titles,
and-don't tell mamma, will you?-Fm
glad to get nome-foolishly and pathet-
ically glad. Have you been across on
business?" she asked.
NO. he said shortly. Il thought
went on pleasure"
Didn't you find the pleasure?" she
said.
Not exactly" said he. VERY prob
ably l chose an unfortunate itinerary.
You see, l went to the cathedral at
Cologne gain and to that little coffee
house in Antwerp, and l did the gal
/ leries at Brussels. 1t was very un-
wise. There were ghosts of too many
happy days hanging about. Then 1
went to Venice, and the pigeons at St.
Marks gut the finishing touches to my
misery. l fed the little beggars one
morning-do you remember that other
morning at st. Mark's?"
Yes" she said, looking across the
sparkling water.
That was living" he said. "And the
day we lost your mother in Naples-do
you recall it?"
She nodded.
"oh, we'll" he said resigned1y. tits