The Meeker herald., 1906-06-16
On a Transatlantic
Liner
Ss1st0ssOGO0OOOOOs,OO0 sO660ss
lCon,eri1hf hY Ionanh a Rosulns \
BY PHILIP vmRILL M.oH-ls

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copyright. by Joseph B. Bowisa)
On the transatlantic liner theDa
were two cabin passengers who were
neither seasick nor lovesick. and. as
II this in itself were not sufficiently
remarkable, Ada was beautiful, clever
and young. while Seton was manly
wholesome and wise.
Grown weary of her reading, Ada
glanced across the deck. A man there
leaned against the rail. smoking. She
noted the back of his head and
thought Of boy with whom. on a
time, she had played at game en-
titled: "Courtship, Marriage and Di-
vorce."
The man. who was Seton, turned
about. Then she saw that he was,
in very fact. that self-same boy, ex-
banded and sand-papered on. accord
ing to plan Of civilization. Their
glances met He oscillated where he
was for second, and then came
leisurely forward, raising his cap in
salutatlon.
why. it's Seton Lowe-Mr. Lowe"
she said. 81 didn't even know you
were aboard"
mo. I came little unexpectedly"
he confessed II took the trip to
avoid my friends"
"Oh; then trust you will be sue
cessful." she answered. somewhat
icily.
He made no attempt to reconstruct
his observation. They were silent for
a moment.
Its going to be smooth. tedious
trip" he presently stated.
at looks that way-at present" she
agreed.
He glanced at her furtively, after
which she abruptly scanned him over
with keener interest.
'"You are not alone?" she inquired.
practically. yes"
"Why. thought read-wasn't 1t
true? Shouldn't your Wedding"
Should have come of to-day" he
supplied. nonchalantly. "All of 1t
true. 80 far as it went"
"Oh Really? Then
Miss Schuyler"
Exercised her divine prerogative Of
changing her mind. She Is wearing
the other man."
Wearing"
Eyes. They put us on and OF like
hats. trust he will find 1t wearing"
Ada's eyes glistened, somewhat
nercely. 81 have known men who re-
newed their ties as often as we choose
between our hats" she said. The fad
of changing the heart Is quite as flip
pant as that of altering the mind"
Personal experience is the dollhouse
OF rancor," he told her, "and am
still under glass;
well. do you fondly imagine you
corr"
my fault-fnding is at first hand"
he answered, while yours should be
vioarious only. at the utmost
Indeed" she said.
He looked at her sharply and
blinked through the smoke Of his
pipe.
"See here" he blurted. You were
not the Miss Lee Cavendish who was
VASnhSu ~ pOluV hCiioW 4AOAA OAAVius
you are neither acute nor compli-
mentary, not to know-or to assume
so little interest"
Him." he unused, IL always
called you Ada. l never supposed that
fellow"
He glanced at her again. earnest
ly. you were always a sensible GIRL"
he observed. "Shall tell you what
I've done?"
Mot If you wish it kept secret"
1--WE Joined the Association of I'm.
mitigated Bachelors" he impaired.
i've taken solemn vow never to ask
any maid, girl or woman on earth
to become my wife"
She looked at him oddly, her face
slightly Redeemed.
1--WE Joined myself" she murmured.
"Not the bachelors"
mo, the Bachelor Girls. We have
each Of us taken grave and reverend
obligation never to wed any lad, youth
or man who may. can or must ask us
to become his wife. mate or partner
fo- life, IL we live to be thousand"
You don't say" he exclaimed, with
frank admiration I'm mighty glad
to hear it. Ada. we shall get along
this voyage delightfully."-. Let lis shake
hands"
She placed her dainty hand in his,
for funny little second. and the
glance that played between them met
on neutral ground
OF all the unstable, neutral grounds
that Fate has yet devised for mans
the sea is perhaps the most
For the matter of that,
any ground whatsoever. when fire
quently employed. is perilous to meet
upon, especially for people who have
protested much against conjugal en-