The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-06-07
COPYRIGHT by the S. 8.
MCCLURE co.

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 Her
add" he repeated.
She looked at him reproachfully. 81
am ILL., she answered.
He smiled. ooh, beg your pardon"
he said. You didn't look it, and it is
so hard to tell. l offered lemon to
that gray green girl over there, and
she flew into a rage. But are you i'll
in earnest?"
II shouldn't exactly choose it for
jest" she returned, though somehow
it does make time pass. One forgets
that there are such divisions as days
and weeks. 1t all seems Il blank"
but it is very calm."
$50 the stewardess says" she an
swered aggrievedly, "but the boat
rocks dreadfully."
He did not reply, and in moment
his glance wandered to the card upon
her chair. "Odd, isn't it:' he ques-
toned.
She followed his gaze and coloreN
family The card read. "Mrs. l..
Smith," Then he pointed to a similar
label upon his own chair, bearing in
rough scraw'l the name III. Smith,"
ut is very common name," she re-
marked absently.
He laughed. "Very," he admitted.
Perhaps your husband is Lawrence
Smith also"
The smile passed from her lips.
"My husband is dead" she answer
ed; "but his name was Lucien."
He folded the newspaper awkwardly.
Then he spoke. Nicer name than
Lawrence" he observed.
She nodded. "a name is of very lit
tie consequence" she rejoined. Il have
always felt that about every name in
the world except Lucy. Lucy is NINE"
He looked into her eyes. Despite her
illness they shone with warm, fawn-
like brown. II think it a pretty name"
he said. cit is so soft"
ut has no character" she returned
II have always known that life would
have been different for me if hadn't
been called Lucy. People would not
treat me like a child if were Augusta
or even Agnes-but Lucy!'
people change their names some
times" he suggested.
CJ,o Io,,rrbo,J ,oc%1,, %,;o,1
tried to become Lucinda, but could
not. Lucy stuck to me-"
"It wouldn't be so bad without
Smith" he remarked, smiling.
"That was horrible Cross she re-
turned. II wonder if you mind Smith
as much as do''
At first he did not answer. To her
surprise his face grew grave, and she
saw the haggard lines about his mouth
which his smile had obscured. "It was
q deuced good chance that struck
it," he said shortly.
For time they sat silent Then, as
the luncheon gong sounded and the
passengers tlocked past. he rose and
bent over her chair. you will have
chicken broth?" he said distinctly. 81
! will send the steward" And ere she
i recovered from her surprise he left her.
"A little later the broth was brought,
and soon after the steward reappeared
bearing iced prunes. "The gentleman
sent you word that you We're to eat
these" he said. And she sat up in be-
wilderment and ate the prunes silently.
You are very kind" she remarked
timidly when he came up from the din
| ing saloon and threw himself into the
chair beside her.
For an instant he looked at her
blankly, his brow wrinkling. She saw
that he was not thinking of her and
redeemed.
You We're kind-about the prunes,"
she explained.
"The prunes?" he repeated vaguely.
Then he brought himself together with
who was sicll-yes, remember"
"They We're very NICE" she said more
firmly.
81 am glad you liked them" he re-
\ joined and was silent. Then he broke
into an irrelevant laugh, and the lines
upon his forehead deepened. She saw
that he carried a habitual sheer upon
his lips. With half frightened ges-
ture she drew from him.
II am glad that you find life anus
ing" she observed stitfiy. Il don't"
He surveyed her with a logged hui.
NOR. ut is not life; it is you"
She spoke more stiftiy still. 81 don't
catch your meaning" she said. SIS my
hat on one side?
He laughed again. at is perfectly
balanced, assure YOU"
"Is my hair uncurled?'
Eyes, but l shouldn't have noticed it
1t is very pretty"
She sat up in offended dignity. 81
do not desire compliments" she re
turned 81 wish merely information
Half closing his eyes, he leaned back
In his chair, looking at her from under
the brim of his cap. "Well without
comment l will state that your hail
has fallen upon your forehead and thai