Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-02
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DAILY SHORT STORY
HE CAME AGAIN.
IOriginal.1

he said, well get back here within
six months, and when we do
ooh. Ned, suppose something should
happen?"
ITO you, darling?" he asked anxious
~.
NO; to you"
what can happen in these times Of
peace? No. I'll be here with the ship,
and them
Don't speak SO confidently; there
are storms and, down there, hurri-
canes"
Darling. tell you I'll be here with
the ship, no matter what happens
There was a signal for visitors to
leave the ship, a long impassioned en-
| brace between the lovers, and Miss
| Banning went ashore. As the vessel
| moved out she stood on the dock way
ing to her lover till after she could no
longer distinguish him, then turned
away and dragged herself home.
On reaching Rio. Lieutenant Fletcher
was ordered to command a boats crew
| to go ashore and bring off supplies
| 1
gerous, but a strong wind and tide, de-
spite the oarsmen's efforts to keep the
| boat steady, carried her bow around so
that she fell into the trough of the sea.
! At the moment n gigantic wave dash
| ed against her side, capsiZed her, and
| the young commander and every man
of Ills crew were drowned.
The shock to Grace Banning at hear
| ut II,
! set her reason. At first she cried to
him piteously to come back TO her:
that he had promised to come back
with the ship. Then she fell into a
| stupor. lack of interest in everything
about her. In vain her mother en-
deavOred to provide her with such Oc-
| cupatiOn and amusement as would di
vert her mind All in vain. She con-
stantly brooded over the last scene be-
| tween her and her lover, especially the
words spoken by each, always ending,
Darling. l tell you I'll be here with
the ship. no matter what happens"
Mrs. Banning was panied to notice
| that her daughter was keeping track
| of the Pensacola. That ship ON touch
| ing at Rio received orders to proceed
| around the Horn TO San Francisco.
| thence to Hongkong. Grace watched
| the government reports. Indeed, her
heart was in the ship sailing around
| the world Perhaps she was waiting
for it TO return that she might again
stand in the corner where she had bid
| den what had proved a last farewell.
When the ship reached China she he
| gan to appear more cheerful 1t was
| as If her lover was aboard and. having
| sailed over half the globe. would now
! have entered upon the return. Mrs.
! Banning. not realizing the cause of the
| change in Grace, began to hope that
! she was mending and even looked
about for suitable party with whom
! she might make match for her. She
knew Grace would never marry for
love and. being Indifferent as to whom
| she married. might he influenced to
! take n rich husband.
AT last it was announced that the
! ship Pensacola was due. She did not
arrive'on time, and Grace seemed trou-
| bled. When she arrived Grace was in
n fiutter. acting as one about to be re
united with lover instead of with the
ship on which he had sailed.
Then came invitations for ball Civ
en- by the officers on board the ship.
Mrs. Banning reproved the servant
who unwittingly gave the cards to
Grace. but was thunderstruck when
her daughter told her that she would
attend the ball. Finding that she could
not disSuade her, the mother consent
ed, with a faint hope that the visit
under such different circumstances
from the last might break the spell.
On the night of the entertainment
the ship was brilliantly illuminated.
while marine band furnished music
| The decks We're in possession of the
dancers. Mrs. Banning kept an eye on
her daughter for awhile. but Grace
seemed TO stand up so we'll under the
strain that her mother soon gave over
watching her. Then Grace was miss
ing. She had walked. on the arm Of O
naval officer. to the corner where she
had parted with her lover. That cor
ner was now in the light. and couples
were walking past it to and fro.
Suddenly Grace's form quivered, she
| threw up her arms and exclaimed:
Ned. Oh. Ned. knew you would
be here
| She started forward with outstretch-
ed arms. but soon sank in q swoon.
Her attendant, astonished, picked
! her up, while several couples who were
! passing sprang TO his assistance. Wa
/ ter was sprinkled in her face. and she
! revived. Then, with q strange light in
/ her eye, she walked away, supported
( by her attendant. Her mother was
called, and they left the ship to be
driven home.
The officer who had been her escort
/ puzzled. went back TO the place where
| Grace had swooned. There in the cor
ner where she had seen, or fancied she
saw, her lover he picked up several
strands Of wet, Shiny seaweed- he
wondered how they came there.
Grace was driven TO a home she new
er afterward left. She made no men
ton Of the cause Of her shock. and her