The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-19
ON A TRANSATLANTIC LINER.
RY PHILIP MERRILL MICHELs.

 On the transatlantic liner there were two cabin messengers who were neither seasiek nor Ioyesick and as if this In ttseif were not sufficiently remarkable Ada was oeau- tiful, clever and young. while seton "aS manly, wholesome and wise. against across the deck. A man there | leaned ,agaist the rail, smoking. She notea | the back of his head and thbaght or ooy l with whom on, time she had played aL . game entitled: Courtship' Marriage anu O'- Vorce." l Tbe man. who was Seton turned about | Then she saw that he was, In fact, that sell | same boy expanded and sand-papered oti' according Co a plan of ctvfiization' 1heiE chances met He osciliated whore he was ! for a second. and then came leisurely for ward. raising his cap In salutation. 1 s'Why. it's Seton Lowe-Mr. Lowe," she | said q didn't seyen know you were aboard" l.. confessed T took the trip to avoid my
 "oh; then trust you will be successful" | she answered. somewhat jelly. He made no attempt to reconstruct ms ms \ observation. They were silent for a mo- ment. .,,... ..,.. ,, .Its going to be a smooth, tedious trip" | he presently stated,
 Tt looks that way-at present." she agreed. .,.,..,
  she abruptly scanned him over with keener
 "You are not alone?' she inquired 'Practically. yes" ''Why, I thought read--Wasnt N tEue' ' 1 shouldn't your wedding ...
 "should have come off today" he sup l rlied, nonchalantly "An of 1t true. no far | as 1t went"
 "oh Really? Then 1 Miss Schuyler"
 "Exercised her divine preroEative of 1 changing her mind. She is wearing the other man." ''WearinE?" "Yes. They put us and off like hats trust he will find 1t wearing" Ada's eyes glistened. somewhat fiercely | ''I have known men who renewed their ties | as often as we choose between our mats, she sald. "The fad of changing the heart l is quite as fllppant as that of altering the mind"
 "Personal experience is the hothonse of l raneor" he told her. land am still under glass" ~
 well do you fondly imagine you are all alone in an enjoyment of rRncorg" My fault-flnding Is at first hand, he answered, while yours should be vicarious ! only. at the utmost
 "Indeed" she said. .. | He looked at her sharply and blinked l through the smoke of his pipe. see here" he blurted, you were not the | Miss Lee Cavendish who was engaged to some fellow from oxford?"
 You are neither acute nor complimentary | not to know--or to assume SO little interest
 'Hm he unused. "I-always called you | Ada I never supposed that fellow
 He glanced at her again. earnestly. You were always a sensible girl" he observed Shall tell you what I've done?|
 Not if you wish 1t kept a secret"
 "Ive Joined the Association of Unmit- | igated Bachelors" he imparted I've talk en a solemn VOW never to ask any maid, | girl or woman on earth to become my vile '
 She looked at him oddly, her face slightly | reddened.
 "Ive joined myself" she murmured.
 Not the bachelors"
 NO. the Bachelor Girls. We have each of us taken a grave and reverand obligation | never to wed any lad. youth or man whe | may can or must ask to become hts wife
 mate or partner for life, If we live to b' l a thousand"
 'You don't say!" he exclaimed, with franl 1 admiration. Pm mighty glad to hear it. Ada we shall get along this voyage de- Iighfully. Let us 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 tha | Fate has yet devised for mans confusion the sea Is perhaps the most conspicuous, For the matter of that any ground, whAtso ever when frequently employed, s peril | ous to meet upon, especially for people wh l have protested much against coniugal en l tanElements.
 Ada, however. as the days went went by, was confident of her own immunity from danger. and Seton was fortified securely l in his own mall of determination.
 wonderful weather were having afte | all," he said. pRusing at her chair at last l when he had walked the deck by himself l for half an hour
 She arose, dropping her rug to the deck He took 1t up and adjusted 1t roughly about her shoulders. as she leaned against the rail and watched the graceful birds es they | followed the steamer. l 'I love them-the sea gulls.' she stated
 "Then love has not been entirely eliminate | ed from your nature?" he ventured. | Don't be silly, Seton, if you please | "No I won't But-I saw whale this l morning Do you like whales more or less than you love sea-Eulls2"
 ''why should 1 lilSc one or the other more 1 or iess?"
 ..well--a whale Is a mammal-and 30 is man"
 Man is a beast" she corrected.
 "Yes I suppose he is And woman l woman is a critter.
 Thanks. I was afraid you would cal woman either an angel or a mermaid"
 Nc" he replied reflectively, 'T neve took home either feathers or scales. on"- on my coat lapel
 You can actually speak about-that Af-