West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-01-17

In the crowd clustering about her
eager for the last glimpse OF friends
h looked shy and ervou and her
brown yes were dilated I'm alarm. De-
spite her thirty years there was some
thing girlish IN her shrinking ngure-a
suggestion of the lncipicnt emotions Of
youth. The fine lines hat time had set
upon brow and lips were results OF the
Hight of undlfferentiated days and
lacked the intensity OF experimental
records. One might have classified her
In superficial survey as a woman In
whom temperamental fires had been
smothered rather han eXtinguished by
the ashes OF unfulnllment. To exist
ence, which is n series of rhythmic
waves of the commonplace, she offer
cd facial serenity; TO life. which Is a
clash of opposing passions, she turned
the wistful yes of ignorance.
A tall girl, carrying an armful of
crimson roses, pressed against her and
waved n heavily scented handkerchief
to some II upon the landing. On the
other side a man was shouting direc-
lions In regard 10 n missing piece of
baggage. 81 marked 1t myself" he de-
clared frantically. 1T was to have
been shipped from New Orleans to the
Cunard dock. / marked IL Not want
ed with my own hands. and, by Jove,
those dirty creoles have taken me at
my word"
She rested her hand upon the railing
md leaned far over. Down below n
pretty girl in q pink shirt waist was
kissing her gloved finger tips to n
stout gentleman on deck. An excited
group were waving congratulations to
n bride and groom, who looked IA
tigued and slightly bored.
For the first time she recognized In
this furtive shrinking n faint home
sickness, n her thoughts recolled to
the dull southern home, to the sisters
in-law who made her life burdensome
n TO the little graveyard where the
husband she had never loved lay
buried. The girl with the crimson
roses jostled her rudely and from be-
hind some one was treading upon her
gown. The inslpld heat Of the July
sun flashed across her face, and In n
vision she recalled the sweeping pas
lures of the Did plantation, with the
creek where the willows grew and the
thrushes n
Suddenly the teamer gave a tremor
OF warning, and n volley of fareweIls
assembled from below.
pleasant voyager" called the man
to the girl beside her. Pleasant voy-
ageP' called some one to the lady on
her right. Then she realized that she
was alone, and for the first time regret
ted that her father-in-law had not
come. When the news OF his delay
had first reached her and she had vol
unteered to start alone, she had ex-
perienced a vivid elation. There was
delight In the idea OF freedom, of being
accountable to no one, OF being abso-
lutely independent of advice. Now she
wished that she had an acquaintance
who would wish her godspeed or shout
an indistinct pleasantly from the
crowded landing.
The steamer moved slowly out into
the harbor. and the shore was white
with iuttering goodbys. Then the
distance lapsed into gradual waves OF
blue.
h left the railing and stumbled
over a group of steamer chairs placed
midway Of the deck. She descended to
her stateroom, which was In the center
OF the ship. At the door she found the
stewardess, who inquired II she was
Mrs. l.. Smith"
THAT is my name, Inc l am going
to be III. 1 know It,"
Lie down at once. And about this
bag3 I thought Il would give you
o space II I put IL IN the gentle
mans room. He hasn't much lug
gage"
Lucy Smith looked up in mystAca-
ton. But II Is mine" she explained.
land I want It,"
Then the boat gave n lurch. and she
undressed and climbed into her berth.
The X day, after q sleepless night,
she struggled up and left her state
room, the stewardess following with
her wraps. At the foot OF the stairs
she swayed and fell upon the lowest
step. It's no use" she said plalntive-
~. i can't 20 up-I can't, indeed"
The stewardess spoke with profess
slonal encouragement ooh, you're all
right" she demonstrated Here's the
gentleman now. Hell help you"
isn't there but one gentleman on
boardT Mrs. Smith began. but her
words failed.
Some one lifted her. and 90 q moment
she was ON deck and IN her chair. while
the stewardess wrapped her rugs about
her n q strange man arranged the
pillows under her head. Then they
left her, and she lay with closed eyes.
perhaps you would like yesterdays
HernldT7 said a voice.
she started from on uncertain doze
md MaanEM aaMMMM a..
passed. and since closing her ewes the
sec had TOW bluer and the sun
warner. a pearl c0lored foam was
g%llstening on the waves or beg vour
pardon" she replied. turning lu the a.
rsctlon whence The words came. "Dd
you speak,"
The man lu the next chair leaned TO-
ward Der, holding % paper DOB DIS hand
he was tail and angular. with conn
monplace feature lighted by The sym
pathetic CLEAN iu h.s eyes
y asked 81 you would .se o. Her
aid be repeated.
She looked 0t him roproachfulIg. ~
am 3D." she answered.
He smiled ron. j beg vgur uor1or .
be said you didn't look n. and n "a
20 bard TO tell 7 offered O. lemon 20
That uay-grcen girl over there and
she Kew into q rage. But are you W
fra oarnestT'
y shouldn't exactly choose ~ FOR
Jest" she returned. though e9ueaau
Z doe make time pass ono forgats
That there are such divisions as DAYS
and weeks 10 900 seems d blank
"But it is very calm."
80 the stewar1ess says" che an
swered ~nRgrievedly. "brt fbe boat