Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-17

HE WIS leduluS against IhC
railing of the deck. gazing
PSSa,ssl wistfully down upon the sea
SEs of faces OH the landing below.
She wore a skirt and coat of brown
cloth, and her veil was raised in
white film above her small hat.
In the crowd clustering about her
eager for the last glimpse OF friends
she looked shy aud nervous, and her
brown eyes were dilated In alarm. De-
spite her thirty years there was some
thing girlish In her shrinking tigure-a
suggestion Of the lncipient emotions OF
youth. The fine lines that time had set
upon brow and lips were results Of the
flight of undifferentiated days and
lacked the intensity Of experimental
records. One might have classified her
in superficial survey as woman IN
whom temperamental fires had been
smothered rather than extinguished by
the ashes Of unfulfllment. 10 exist
ence, which Is series Of rhythmic
waves of the commonplace. she offer
ed facial serenity; to life, which Is
clash of opposing passions. she turned
the wistful eyes Of ignorance.
A tall girl, carrying an armful OF
crimson roses. pressed against her and
waved heavily scented handkerchief
to some one upon the landing. On the
other side a man was shouting direc-
tions in regard to missing piece OF
baggage. II marked 1t myself" he de-
clared frantically. 1T was to have
been shipped from New Orleans to the
Cunard dock. marked 1t Not want
ed with my own hands. and. by Jove,
those dirty creoles have taken me at
my word"
She rested her hand upon the railing
and leaned far over. Down below
pretty girl In a pink shirt waist was
kissing her gloved finger tips to
stout gentleman on deck. An excited
group were waving congratulations to
a bride and groom. who looked "a
tigued and slightly bored.
For the first time she recognized IN
this furtive shrinking a faint home
sickness, and her thoughts recoiled to
the dull southern home, to the sisters
in-law who made her life burdensome
and to the little graveyard where the
husband she had never loved lay
buried. The girl with the crimson
roses jostled her rudely and from be-
hind some one was treading upon her
gown. The insipid heat OF the July
sun flashed across her face, and In
vision she recalled the sweeping pas
lures of the old plantation, with the
creek where the willows grew and the
thrushes sang.
Suddenly the steamer gave a tremor
Of warning, and vOlley of farewells
ascended from below.
pleasant voyage" called the man
to the girl beside her. pleasant vOy-
agew called some one to the lady on
her right. Then she realized that she
was alone, and for the first time regret
ted that her father-in-law had not
come. When the news Of his delay
had first reached her and she had vol
unteered to start alone, she had ex-
perienced vivid elation. There was
delight in the idea Of freedom, Of being
accountable to no one, Of being aDso-
lutely independent of advice. Now she
wished that she had an acquaintance
who would wish her godspeed or shout
an iadistinct pleasantly from the
crowded landing.
The steamer moved slowly out into
the harbor. and the shore was white
with tuttering goodbys. Then the
distance lapsed into gradual waves OF
blue.
She left the railing and stumbled
over a group Of steamer chairs placed
midway Of the deck. She descended to
her stGteroom, which was in the center
Of the ship. At the door she found the
stewarGess, who inquired II she was
"AIrs. L. Smith"
THAT is my name. and am going
to be i'll. know it."
"Lie down at once. And about this
bag? thought 1t would give you
more space If l put 1t In the gentle
mans room. He hasn't much lug
gage"
Lucy Smith looked up in mystifica-
ton. But it is mine," she explained.
land want It,"
Then the boat gave mrch. and she
undressed and climbed into her berth.
The next Gay. after sleepless night,
she struggled up and left her state
room, the stewardess following with
her wraps. At the foot Of the stairs
she swayed and fell upon the lowest
step. "Its no use." she said plaintive-
". II can't 60 up-I can't indeed"
The stewardsss spoke with profes-
sional encouragement. "Oh. you're all
right" she demonstrated. Here's the
gentleman now. He'll help you"
isn't there but one gentleman on
board:" Mrs. Smith began. but her
words failed.
Some one lifted her, and In moment
she was on deck and in her chair, While
the stewardess wrapped her rugs about
her and q strange man arranged the
pillows under her head. Then they
LETT her, and she lay with closed eyes.
Perhaps you would like yesterdays
uera,d?" said q voice.
She started from an uncertain doze
and looked around her. Hours hid
passed, and since closing her eyes the
sea had grown bluer and the sun
warmer. A pearl colored foam was
:llstening OH the waves. II beg your
pardon" she replied. turning in the d.
rection whence the words came. did
you speak?"
The man in the next chair leaned to-
ward her, holding paper in his hand.
He was tall and angular, with COM
monplace features, lighted by the SYM
pathetic CLEAN In his eyes.
II asked If you would like a Her
ald," he repeated.
She looked at him reproachfully. Il
am ILL.," she answered.
He smiled. "Oh, beg your pardon"
he said. "You didn't look 1t, and 1t Is
The Kidnevs