The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-06-01
THE COLUMBIAN, BLOOMSBURY. PA
"Yes, yes" cried Tom, impatlently,

"and then-what did she do them"
The woman looked at him curiously.
"Do you mean to say as you haven't
seen her?" she asked.
"No. haven't" cried Tom, quickly.
"But go on-what then?"
''Then," said the woman, "well,
when she was bit more composed
like she began to ask me about him.
| told ner all I knew-that he went
two months ago, and she told me she'd
come over as a stewardess on board a
ship-the Amazon I think she said,
and | 'spect that's it, for it came in
this afternoon, so | heard"
Tom started. 1t was his boat, and
she had been on It the whole time.
We'll, we'll" he cried, land then?"
well. then | told her about you
and gave her your card and she Just
started up ms If she had a shock, and
went without so much as taking her
letters"
"Went-goue?' cried Tom.
'She went straight out" said the
woman. "A queer little mortal as
ever see. She went without a word"
For a fortnight Tom searched the
city and hung about the docks, but
his efforts proved fruitless and he ad-
vertised in vain. Bessie had been
swallowed up in the surging crowd
that filed the streets, and was appar-
emily lost to him forever. Every
now and then he called at Flemings
old address. but the woman had heard
nothing.
He had almost given up hope when
a strange thing happened. Life is full
of strange events, and the more one
looks under the surface of things the
more dramatic we find 1t.
About three weeks after the arrival
of the boat Tom was walking in the
direction Of the docks when he sud.
denly became aware that a man and
woman in front of him were quarrel
ing. They both seemed drunk, and
he was about to pass on when some
thing in the appearance of the man
arrested his attention.
He stood still. 1t was Fleming! He
was flushed and excited, and he look
ell coarse, disheveled, and dissolute,
and the woman with him was evident
ly his wife. Tom stared at her and
felt shock of thankful surprise. 1t
was not Bessie.
The two began to quarrel violently
and Fleming suddenly doubled his
fists.
Then Tom stepped forward. AS he
did so he was checked by the sight
of girl on the pavement crouching
against wall.
He looked at her, caught his breath,
and hurried toward her, placing him
self between her and the two who
were beginning to scuffle.
"Bessie," he cried; Bessie, come
away. Come along, darling. Come
away"
He took her back to his hotel, poor
and half-starved as she was, needless
of the feelings of the outraged pro-
prietress. and engaged a private sit
ting room. lie cared for nothing but
Bessie, and when she broke down sob
bing in his arms an odd thrill went
through him.
"Bessie," he cried 81 am going to
take care of you whether you like 1t
or not now. You can't take care of
yourself it seems, and you'll have to
accept me. If you want to go back
to England you shall go; if you want
to stop here you shall stop, but at
least I'm going to see that you don't
starve."
Bessie looked up at him with a
thin, woebegone face.
'I'm ashamed of myself" she cried.
T've been wicked and ungrateful to
you. oh, Tom, forgive me. | knew
you were on the boat, but | was work.
ing my way over as stewardess, and
I dreaded the thought OF your seeing
me. Oh, Tom, forgive me-"
"I'll forgive you anything if you'll
marry me-" he said. She hesitated.
II can't now--like this" she cried
at would be so easy-such a simple
way to provide for myself Oh, Tom
| can't. l must find some other way
OF repaying you"
He caught her to him passionately
There is no other way" he cried
"Bessie, my darling. I've got you
and mean to keep you. Only try tO
care for me little bit and | shall be
content, sweetheart"
She did try, and succeeded so well
that they have both forgotten that
there ever was another man.-Annie
o. Tibbits, in Taller.
Cotton Overcoats.