Free press., 1906-11-17
A TRIAL TRIP
By CHARLES NEWTON HOOP.
(Copyright.)

the early fall, and it was now only late
spring.
The question had been definitely set
tied IN middle spring, for it was IN early
spring that young Herrmann's fancy
had turned lightly to the predestined
thought of the season, and Mabel, the
only daughter of Daniel Gotrox, had
promised that after a certain date in
early autumn she would sign little let
ters expressing thanks for fruit dishes,
silver chests, cut glass, furniture, etc,
Mabel Gotrox-Herrmann."
So, you see, it was not to be long
engagement.
Young Hermann had said that he did
not believe IN them. Old Gotrox had
remarked that if Mabel had set her mind
on marrying the young fellow, that set
tied 1t. She was good deal like her
| old man when she had her mind made
up, and the sooner they got spliced the
sooner the bother would be over. Mrs.
Gotrox had sighed as she considered
getting up trousseau in summer time,
and Mabel herself had said that it made
no difference whatever to her. Long en-
gagement or short engagement, it was
all the same. She was not tickle.
And so the day was set
And, although the date was still more
than three months off, Mabel and Ed
ward, as they sat cozily in the arbor en-
Joying the sunset, were discussing their
wedding journey.
They suggested the northwest and the
northeast, and the due north, but none
of these directions seemed quite the cor
rect and satisfying.
'After ALL" said young Hermann,
Europe is the proper thing"
But should be so afraid she said,
drawing instinCtively nearer to him, and
the twilight coming on apace, saw his
strong right arm beginning thus early
its work of protection.
Not afraid with me?" he queried.
"No," she replied, perhaps not-with
you-but then,' she continued, 4 have
never been on the ocean"
Nor have J" he interrupted
Suppose" she began, hesitatingly
Suppose we should be-when the sea
is rough, you know, and the waves are
high and the steamer rolls and pitches
1t would be so horrid One looks so
wretchedly, you know. They do say you
don't care, then, even for your dearest
friends or their opinions"
Il think" remarked Edward, that
possibly I might prove a good sailor"
How lovely the trip would be if we
both were!" cried Mabel, enthusiastic
ally. 1T would be divine"
"Oh, we must certainly take the Euro
pean trip he said.
'Yes," she continued, thoughtfully
''but if should be sick and you should
not"
'Why, 1 would take the greatest care
of you, darling, and"
GGOb R,1t bO1y I xUO,116 1OOIy then
say one wants to die and don't care what
happens, or anything; and you would al
ways remember me as looked then, and
you never could think of me quite the
same, and"
"Oh, dearest, you don't appreciate
even yet, how much l love you-as il
such little thing as seasickness could
make any difference to me. But, sup
pose / should be sick and you should
not-oh. horrors!"
But then, sweetheart," rejoined Miss
Mabel, Il would take such lovely care OF
you, and"
ooh, yes, you know; but just think of
a great, big, strong fellow like me be
ing sicker than horse for days, and
my wife secretly exulting over me
"Why, Edwardp
eyes, and wondering how she could
ever have fallen in love with a man who
could look like that, and flirting desper-
ately with other fellows who have their
sea legs on, and
ooh, but you know I wouldn't-and ]
didn't even hint of such thing about
you, if you were-eh-' 'sea-leggy' and !
were not. I'd care for you and watch
over you"
81 hope so. I hope we both know
,1,oA A. 4
solemnly, "but perhaps it would be the
safest to have our vows in the marriage
service altered to read, for richer, for
poorer, in seasickness and in heath, to
love and to CHERISH etc"
'NonsenseP p she returned gaily.
Striking out obey will be enough lib.
erty to take with the service Wen
call it settled, then, though we won't tell
soul, and We'll pass our honeymoon
in England and France and Spain and
Italy"
And the remainder of the evening was
passed in mutual assurances and reassur-
ances
But as Edward wandered homeward,
and Mabel sought her pillow, they each
thought deeply, solemnly and uneasily on
the subject of their conversation.
"By Jovel 1t would be ghastly," ejac-
ulated Edward, for the benefit of his re-
Election In the mirror. Il wish that
knew how the wild sea waves would use
me. If / could only have a little pre-
liminary rock on the bosom of the deep,
Just for a trial" and a sudden in
spiration came to him with the thought,
and he pondered much. why mott" he
thought. The ocean greyhounds made
the trip across the pond in a fortnight
or less. What marvellous pair of sea
legs might be developed in that time.
1t might not be quite fair to Mabel, but
of course she mustn't know; it was a
silly thing to do, anyway, and she would
only laugh at him. The next day he
went into the Office of his senior partner
and talked long and con6dentially with
btr,,