The Washington times., 1907-02-24

lions. stood Captain Hegermann. self
satisfied and smiling. relieved that the
responsibilities or another trip were
over, and al bis side, sharing the hon
urs, was the grizzied pilot who had
hrnugtt the siup SafelV through the
dangers OF Gedncy's channel. his shah
Dy pea Jacket old SLOUGH hat, top boots
ard unkempt beard standing out in
sharp contrast with the immaculate
WHITE duck trousers. the white and
gold caps and smart fun dress uni
fo.ms or the ships officers. The rails
on me upper decks were seen 20 be
llhed WITH passengers. all dressed in
lieir hhOre-gOlng clothes. some waving
nandl erchiefs az friends they already
recos ezed, all impaticntiy awaiting
tle shipping OF the gangplank.
Stott had come early. They had re-
eclNcd word at Massapequa che day
telorc That the steamer had been
slEhted OF Fire Island and that she
would be at her pier the next morning
az 10 O'Clock. Stott arrived at $3.50 and
50 found 100 difficulty in securing A
'front.' position among the small army
~ people. who like himself, had come
down 10 meet friends
As tho huge vessel swung round and
drew closer. Stott easily picked out
Shirley. She was scanning eagerly
through r binocular the rows Of up
turned faces on the dock. and ne
noted thau look OF disap-
finding the object Of her search. Shs
turned and said something TO a lady
IN black ana TO a man who stood at
her SIDE. Who they might be StOUt rad
no idea FellOW-p passengers. no doubt
One becomes so intimate on shIDbOard.
u seems a friendship that must surely
last lifetime. WheTeas-the custom
Officers have not finished rummaginZ
through your trunks when these
easily mace steamer friends are al
81 O. "a anamuH
took another look and her glass soon
lighted on him. Instantly she recOg-
nized her fathers old friend She
waved a handkerchief and StOtt raised
hts hat. Then she turned quickly and
spoke again TO her friends. where
upon they all moved in the direction
OF the gangplank. which was already
being lowered.
Shirley was one Of the first 70 come
ashore Stott was waiting For her at
the foot Of the gangplank. and she
threw her arms round his neck and
kissed him He had known her ever
since She was little tot IN arms. and
bystanders who noticed them meet had
no doubt that they were father and
daughter. Shirley was deeply moved.
a great lump in her throat seemed 70
choke her utterance- So Tar she had
been able to bear I'D, but now that
home was SO near. her heart failed
her. She had hoped TO find her father
on the dock. Why had he not Gomez
Were things so bad then2 She Ques-
toned Judge St0tt anxiously, fearfully.
He treasured her. Both her mother
and father were ell. II was too long
"a trip for them 20 make, so he had
volunteered.
TOO long a trip" echoed Shirley.
puzzled. "This IS not far from our
house. Madison avenue IS no distance.
That could not have kept father
away"
Won don't live on Madison avenue
any longer The house and its con
tents have been sold" replied StOtt
Eravely. and in a few words he out
lined the situation as 70 was.
Shirley listened quietly 10 the end
and only the Increasing pallOr Of her
face and an occasional nervous witch
ing at the corner OF her mouth be
trayed the shock that this recital
OF her fathers misfOrtUnes was 20
hcU. All. this she had little dreamed
OF, Yet why not II was but logic
When wrecked IN reputation. one
might as well be wrecked IN fortune,
too. What would their future be. how
could that proud. sensitive man. her
father. bear this humiliation, this dis
grace To be condemned 70 p life OF
obscurify social ostracism. and genteel
poverty, on. the thought was unen-
durable, She herself could earn
money. OF course. II her literary
work did not bring IN enough. she
could teach. and what she earned
would help out Certainly her par
ents should never want for anything
so long as she could supply IT, she
thought bitterly how futile now were
plans Of marriage, even II she had ever
entertained such an idea seriously
Henceforward, she die not belong 20
herself. Her life must be devoted 70
Clearin- her fathers name. These re
sections were suddenly interrupted by
The voice OF Mrs Blake calling out
Shirley. where have you been2 We
lost sight of Won as We left tho ship.
and we have been hunting for YOU
ever since.
Her aunt. escorted by Jefferson Ry-
der. had gone direct 10 the Customs
desk and I'm the crush they had lost
o. Aunt Milly. this Is Judge Stott, A
very old friend Of fathers. Mrs
Blake. NV mothers sister. Mother
VIII 10 surprised 20 see her. They
haven't met FOR ten years
This visit is going 10 be a brief one.
said Mrs. Blake. ''f really came over
10 Cnaperone Shirley more than any
thing else"
las if 7 needed chaperoning with
Mr. Ryder for an escort retorted
Shirley. Then presenting Jefferson 70
Stott she said
This IS Mr. Jefferson Ryder-Judge
Stott. Mr.. Ryder has been very kind 70
me abroad
Tho two mon bowed and shook
hands.
ANY relation to J. r - asked Stott
Eond humoredly.
ITS sou-that'S all" answered JEFF
fcrsuU llcOuiCally-
Stott row looked ~ the young msn
with more interest. YES. there was p
reese nhiancc. the same blue eyes. the
lighting Jaw But how on earth did
Judge FoSSmOrC g daughter come %
10 travelling in the company Of John
TgIrlyett Rv6cr's SOM The more he
thought Of n the more n puzzled him
and while he cositated Shirley and her
companions wrestied with the United
States Customs and were undergoing
an the fortunes invented by Uncle Sam
30 uUuiSh Americans for going abroad
shirley and Mrs Blake were fortr-
Ugtn in securing au inspector who was
faiTl reasonable. or course ne did
not for q moment believe their solemn
statement. already made on tie shin.
.hat they had nothing duuable. and Ne
rummaCcd among the most Intimate
garments or their wardrobe in "A
wtoVv Indecent and uniUStIfiahle man
rnr. hflt u- was poIife end they Jared
no worse than all the other women
victims of this. the most brutal Gus
tom house inspection system in the
world
jefferson had che misfortune to be
allotted an inspector VINO was half
seas over with liquor and the man
ives 81 inSoIcrt and threatening I'm
'''.- th9t 10 was only ty great self
Tar