Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1906-09-29
the lNExPERIENCE OF MARY

hllDN INT.
A strong brown hand moved the
deck chair out OF the sun.
Thank you," The girl sat down;
she was slight and fair, With look Of
extreme youth and freshness.
The movement had been one OF in.
voluntary, If absent-mindcd, courtesy
on the second engineers part, but h,
happened to glance at the girl as she
sat down. He paused. and, leaning
over the taffrail, pulled at his moW,
tache.
Been III. haven't your"
"eYs, dreadfully." was her answer,
with little shudder born OF shiverina
recollection.
Enjoying your first trip?
Thcg irl glanced at him with obvioua
establishment.
How could you know ii was my first
trip?'
lie pulled his moustache again to
bide a smile.
You're so Interested In everything.
Like the babies. you're always taking
notice."
The roses deepencd.
1t is all so new and SO delightful
she added.
lie acquiesced. yes. II is new and
very delightful" But he meant some
thing else.
Going to settle out here?"
Yes. | think So" She looked up al
him shyly. What are your duties! do
tell me. ! want to know everything.
So he began to explain the duties OF
a second engineer on London and
Glooe liner. and from generalities they
quickly drifted towards personalities.
She was delightfully."-. absurdly young
with new and untried Ideas on every
thing under the sun.
lie was an experienced man Of the
world, stepped In a careless bonhomio
and cynicism born OF 80 many trips bs.
tween Southampton and Table Bay.
Given a mutual sympathy and attrac
ton. friendships ripcn quickly on board
a ship. They seldom last; but they
spring up like wonderful tropical flow
ers that are born and die In the space
OF a day.
Propinquity. that cause of many tras
cdies. fine weather. perfect health. and
the glamor Of the sea and sunshine ars
magic spells.
Before two or three days had passed
the girl began to look for him. to know
the hours when he was of duty, and
greet him with smile OF iiattering
Cagerness.
Sailors are proverbially universal
lovers, and Arthur Hollins had NOT
lived his 25 years without many ilirta.
lions; but there was an unusual elo'
ment of freshness and incxperiencu
about the girl that fascinated him. lie
meant nothing serious. only II wa'
his way 10 make love to all women, IL
he found them sufficiently interesting
To the girl, coming as she did from
a quiet little country town, he seemed
a very hero OF romance. and sh"
straightway lost her girlish heart ~
him.
Pleasant chats in the morning. walks
on the deck In the moonlight, waltzes.
In which she lost herself In n dream
OF moonlit sea and the subtle music
Of hunting melody, and nothing
seemed real but the strong arm round
her. sunsets which they watched to
gether, and whose beauty brought our
the thoughts that lie deep down in thu
heart aud seldom rise to the lips; all
ltilese. which were thrice.told tale to
the man. were enchanted Arabian
Nights to the girl. and her face was az
an open book wherein all who ran
might read.
Once he made up his mind that hi
had let things 20 too far. and for a day
or two was quite cool and courteous and
distant. Mary Emmison said nothing:
only panied perplexlty grew In her
eyes II worried and hurt him, hut no
persevered. and covertly watched thu
sunshine fade from her face and u
weary listlessness creep into her man
ner.
One night after dinner there was TO
be a concert among the third-class pas.
sengcrs, organized by mild young
curate. who enjoyed his bi ief author.
ity amazingly. The first and second.
class passengers had nocked to II. and.
to Judge from their peals Of laughter.
found It highly amuyinG.
Hollins felt In no mood foi frivolity,
and, lighting a cigar. walked along the
deck, intending to have a quiet smoke.
Round the other side he came sud.
denly upon solitary figure In white
leaning against the taffrail. There was
weary detection about the pose tina,
touched him, He hcsitated. took a
few steps onward. then swerved sharp
ly round, and, mentally finging his ronl
resolutions to the winds. came up tO
her.