Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-10-19
A MAN OF
THE SEA q
BY M PTIN BUR II

L i re Dtllh ooHleIS bNoOu III tue
middle Of her room and surveyed
the numerous strapped and labeled
trunks with a sigh of satisfaction.
Only one thing in the room remained
unpacked-oyer the narrow little bed
stead, with its cheap, printed counter
pane, lay a wedding dress. For mo-
ment the girl looked at It, then turned
and opened a cupboard. II was empty
save for a straight blue serge skirt, a
blue cotton blouse. and a sailor hat
II suppose | shall never wear such
things again." she said, and some
thing like a sigh escaped her "Ah,
well! for one more escapade, and
then"
She made a little grimace at her
own charming reflection as she hastily
donned the garments in question.
Half an hour later she stood on the
quay; anxiously scanning sundry small
yachts at anchor outside the harbor
A fisher lad lounged up to her
DO you know which is Mr.. Smiths
yacht?" she questioned.
He pointed to one lying some dis
tanee on.
ROW me there, please" she said.
But. arriving at her destination, she
was amazed 70 find II deserted.
However. it's all right" she as
sured the lad: Mr. Smith IS expecting
me and viii be sure 10 be here soon.
It's funny too. she added to herself
as she started TO explore Il can't
think what Aunt Charlotte and Bob
have gone ashore for. when they told
me to be sure and be punetual Bob
said we should have barely time for
the trip"
The miniature saloon filled her with
dlsmay by its hopeless litter. Just
like Bob" she reflected. and straight
way proceeded 70 reduce the chaos to
some sort of order.
About an hour later Mr.. John
Smith. accompanied by Joe, the facto-
tum, boarded his tiny craft.
"who are YOU" she demanded.
"And where's my Aunt Charlotte and
Bob?"
IL really-dont know!" he STAN
mered.
She eyed him disdainfully.
81 suppose you are the sailor But"
-severely-"you had no business in
here. will go TO my aunt"
"You can't" he burst out ingram
matieally. There's only me-and
Joe. he added
only you" she began. and then
an inkllng Of the truth broke upon
her. and the haughtiness died out OF
her face. "O-h-h! you don't mean
you can't mean-I've come to the
wrong boat"
20" he calculated, vaguely relieved;
that's II, is it,"
what else should 1t be-" she de-
manded. with a swift return TO
haughtiness. you surely don't mag
inc came here on purpose!"
IL didn't know. You see-it took
me rather"
The next instant she was clinging
angrily to the doorway, while he fed
RAPIDLY away. II hadn't been exactly
an unpleasant sensation, but
Come back!" she cried. imperious-
ly: "and stop the boatl You mustn't
start"
Were more than started" he an
nounced BADLY Were half way up
Tregarthen. and we can't so back. It's
blowing mp for a gale. You know Pen
witha harbor-we couldn't go back in
the teeth OF the hurricane we're in for.
You see" he added. in calmly explana-
tory tones. I'VE should be mere fire.
wood"
"But-but I have an engagement, a
particular engagement" she expostu-
lated. tomorrow at ten o'clock at
Penwitha"
The boat lurched heavily again and
the man fed precipitately.
"Impossiblel" he called over his
shoulder.
The hour that followed was 10 Della
Somers one Of direst STRESS AZ first
she could think only Of the appalling
fact that tomorrow was her wedding
dav. and that she would figure I'm all
the local papers as "the millionaire's
runaway bride Il could bear that
she groaned. 'but the boys and
mother. OF course he'll forgive me.
q. it's crueI-its crueli And how can
I ever EXPLAIN" But then there slowly
dawned on her the disheartening con-
viction that she would never need to
explain-that she was doomed 70
lonely death with the ugly. disrepu-
tablv attired stranger above.
ssHa..+ I cant die alone down here y