The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-06-04

rich 10 be ever on the move between
continent and continent.
The Nebraska was chiefly laden
with wheat. Her passengers were
mostly business men who had to dare
Noyember's storms and fogs whether
they would or no. A few ladies were
on board who had chosen the cargo
boat mainly on the ground OF cheap
ness, and who beguiled the tedium OF
the journey by complaining of the
food, the weather, and the exceedingly
deliberate pace OF the ship.
After Marion had found her sea legs
she enjoyed everything-enjoyed talk
ing to the sailors. enjoyed the cap
tain's stories at the dinner table, en-
loved being shown round the engine
rooms, enjoyed even the d~renching she
sometimes got when she persisted in
remaining on deck. She would have
been quite content II the voyage had
continued for another week or fort
night. She was In no hurry to discov-
er what her fate was to be. She could
not shake off the feeling that trouble
was in store for her.
AS she watched the bold outline Of
the Cornish coast fade away into the
fog and darkness she could hardly re-
press a sigh. For the last eight or ten
DAYS she had had nothing to worry
her. Tossing on the great deep,
rlressed by the wind and warmed by
the sunshine. she had felt completely
separated from the worlds worry n
strife. Men, women, communities and
nations, might fret and struggle and
kin each other in the battle for exist
ence but she out on the great ocean
was away from it all.
Now she was coming back into IT
again. The blessed and restful inter
lude was nearly at an end. Tomorrow
she would tread the solid earth once
more-to-morrow she would know her
fate.
The fog crept up cold and clammy,
and she went below to get a warmer
coat. In the saloon the stewards
were busy making ready for the last
dinner they were to have together.
They would be in Plymouth sound by
midnight.
In the ten days she had been on
board she had got to love the Nebras-
ka. 1t seemed to her the warmest and
cosiest home she had ever known.
Halfway to her state o she
stopped to talk to one of the lady pas
sengers, who was busy getting her
things together.
81 shall not go to bed tonight" she
said. If the captain will let us Ian
| shall do SO"
Are you so eager to get on shore
as all that?" Marion questioned, with
a smile.
Eager! II you knew how I hate
the sea and everything connected
with il you would not ask that ques-
toni"
"Oh, I love It," Marion .'oplied,
brightly and eagerly. 81 would be
content to go on as we have been go
ing for years"
For years? Child, what are you
made of? Have you no M you are
longing to ee-no one who is waiting
to welcome you?"
mo one. England Is to me a strange
land, and I almost dread setting my
foot On It,"
"You have W seen t."
Never"
"Oh, then you have a treat in store.
You will fall in love with II at once
II ia the most delightful country in
the world"
81 hope I may find 1t So" Marion
answered, with a little sigh, and then
she passed on to her own stateroom.
It felt very warm and cosy after the
cold, clammy air Of the upper deck,
and instead Of putting IN her heavy
coat and going out again she began to
take stock OF her possessions. She
had still In her purse. which she car
ried slung round her waist, about $70o
as well as a few gems that might east
ly be converted into gold. Her ward
robe was not Of any particular value,
and whether the papers In the silver
box were to be reckoned as an asset
or not she could not determine. But
at any rate she felt tolerably secure
for the moment whatever might hap.
pen.
ITO Rs Conf;nuedl