Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1905-08-24
AT THE VOYAGE END

he would be again on American soil.
He turned from the rail with the
intention OF seeking the seclusion Of
the smoking room. AS he made bis
way along the deck, his mind still oc
cupied with disquieting thoughts. be
awkwardly bumped against the foot
rest OF an isolated steamer chair.
He lifted his cap and turned TO Offer
AFFECT apologies to the occupant OF the
chair.
"PolIyv'
The girl sprang from the chair.
john she cried In tone that
matched hts own.
Corbin leaned against the rail and
continued to stare at her as IL he
could not cretiit his eyes.
Great ScottI'' he said. running his
hands through his hair and smiling
foolishly.
"Well, you're the last persoa ex-
pected to meet. said she.
Corbin groaned.
And I've missed six whole days of
your society" he complained. ''Tell
me, how does 1t happen I have not
seen you beforef''
The girl laughed.
Mamma 10 none too good sailor.
you know, and this has been d rather
hard passage" she explained. "pve
been looking after her the greater
part Of the time"
Corbin turned bis eyes and looked
thoughtfully Mt the thin blue line OF
the horizon.
Wen be locked in five hours" he
said. May aaaim those i've hours
OF your timer
YES" she said readily. sShall we
stay hereY'
''Now,s said Corbin when he had
brought another chair and they had sat
down together, ''tell me about your
summer campaign"
"Oh"-she shrugged her shoulders
"the usual thing a month In town and
then the usual round of stupid country
places"
with dukes and earis dancing a
lively attendancei" be supplemented.
Lets not talk of Them" she said
quickly. II am tired to death Of titles.
and-don't tell mamma, will you -
I'm glad to get home -foolishly aud
pathetically glad. Have You been
across on business" she asked.
No." he said shortly. II thought T
went on pleasure
Didn't you find the pieasurey'' she
said.
Not exactly" said he. VERY prob
ably | chose an unfortunate itinerary.
You see, went to the cathedral nc
Cologne again and to that little coffee
house In Antwerp. and / did the gal
leries at Brussels. It was very unwise.
There were ghosts OF too many happy
days hanging about. Then l went to
Venice, and the pigeons at SIT. Marks
put the finishing touches to my misery.
fed tbs little beggars one morning
90 you remember that other morning
ct 81. Mark'sg''
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 itT'
She nodded.
oh, well" he said resignedly, sits
something to have the memory OF those
days anyway
The girl turned her head slewly.
so have discovered 4 she said.
do ron ever think OF them?'' he
asked eagerly.
Sometimes. For mammals sake.
you know, / wish l didn't think OF
them 80 much" she said.
They were high old days." he OBJ
served.
Weren't they r she said, Just hint
p wistfulness iii her voice.
Corbin looked at her searchingly.
Was she sincere or merely sympa-
thetic?
4 wish that one OF two things had
happened" he said impatiently. IL
wish we had neverl found your mother
u Naples that day Or that I had been
born to q title. =
I'm glad that You haven't title. Y
she said.
Corbin sat mp suddenly.
Honestly9s he asked.
sHonestlyly she repeated.
Look here. be said. III il WASN'T
for your mothers ambitions''
He stopped. hesitafed, then reached
over and took her hand.
Polly, DEAR" he said softly. sIsm
honestly and sincerely sorry to disap-
point your mother
80 am !. but-but can't help It."
she said.
For ! moment be was lost il
thought.
81 should have persisted that DAY
~ ~ Marks. shouldn't II be asked.
''If had known. abe laughed. ..thaf
you wouldn't have persisted. you dear.
stupid man IL should never have
said No.
Corbin rose ana held out hls hand to
help the girl to her feet.
think, be said, wesd better
break the sad news to your mother
while shes still too weak to lecture
us =, GRANT KAxxsEskx