The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-06-12
A Counterfeit
Wedding Trip.
[original.1

| Olivia Kittridge had never Travelled
alone. but it was necessary that she
go to New York at once to join her
mother, who was Ill there 1t was but
one nights journey on the bout, and
since a stateroom had been provided
her father felt assured that she would
make the trip without annoyance.
During the early evening she sat
out on the guard enjoying the view of
water and land. Others were near
her, among them nun. young sister
whose face made an impression upon
Olivia. The nun carried prayer
book, but did not look into 1t. nor did
she tell the beads on. the rosary that
hung to her waist. Nevertheless,
whether it was an appearance of holi-
ness induced by her dress or the life
led by member of sisterhood,
Olivia could not keep her eyes of her.
Perhaps the nun noticed the interest
she had awakened for she drew her
chair nearer and spoke few words
In musical contralto voice This led
to conversation. In which the sister
i 'ohShtSh thdt sue Lluot steep Ill ii
chair during the night. every bed on
the boat being taken
Olivia had been cautioned by her ia
ther to have nothing to do with stran-
gers. Nevertheless she did not even
think Of this caution In connection
with this holy young girl. There were
two berths In her stateroom, and
1 would N hn n xx-ifh
devotion Of the sister, whose life was
entirely unselfish. for Olivia to sleep
comfortably alone while she might
make the nun SO by permitting her to
occupy one Of those berths? Without
any forethought whatever she gave the
| Invitation.
With many heartfelt thanks the nun
availed herself of the offer. Indeed, a
great load seemed to be lifted from
her mind. When Olivia retired the
sister told her that she would not
crowd her by going to bed at the same
time, but would wait till her benefac-
tor had got into her berth. Olivia
went into the stateroom, and after she
had lain down the nun came in and
instead of divesting herself of her
clothing climbed to the upper berth as
she was
In the morning just after dawn
Olivia was awakened by the boat being
warped into the dock Standing before
the mirror was young man. He was
handsome, well dressed and refined
looking. but on his face was anxiety.
Olivia was so frightened that she was
about to close her eyes and feign sleep
when the young man saw her refiee-
ton in the mirror He turned to her
and said:
Don't fear mel For heavens sake
don't cry out! am hunted and have
availed myself of your kind offer for
concealment. hoped to go out with
out your knowing how have deceived
you. l am no thief. Indeed. | am not
that for which they wish to take me-"
He had scarcely spoken the last
word when there came a loud rap at
the door. With it vanished the last bit
of color In the mans face. Then a
sudden thought seemed to come to him.
Bending down to Olivia's ear. he whis-
pered:
you may save me. | shall tell them
that they have made mistake; that we
are a bride and groom on our wedding
trip. l implore you not to betray me"
Then. suddenly summoning his reso-
luton, he opened the door partly and
said, assuming that he supposed the
knock to be to awaken passengers,
"All awake here"
"Is there nun in this roomT
"No; bridal couple on our wedding
trip"
I'VE must satisfy ourselves"
The young man looked appealingly
at Olivia. 1t was a terrible struggle
between her womanly sympathy and
all woman holds sacred. The former
triumphed.
There is no one here" she said, Tex
cept my husband and myself"
The young man shut the door, and
there was no more knocking or calling
The young man as soon as he recover.
ed his equanimity said, "The day may
come when l can repay you for this,
[ then stepped out through the window
? and was gone.
5 Meanwhile Olivia. whose heart was
$ beating like kettledrum. arose, dress
ed herself and went into the cabin
. where she found one who was to NEE
u her coming toward her. Then. trem
bling, she left the boat
r Five years passed. One evening at
e ball Olivia on the arm OF a frien'
passed man sauntering with lad.
l,a l,.n oh n OIQnCR fA4