Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-07-31
7 Delaying a
;, Voyage.
FRANCES TRUMBUIL.
FRANCES TRUMBULL.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

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Had either Paul or Kate been less
their little misunderstanding
would have healed quickly. and the SOL
ltaire would have CLEANED on Kate's
finger instead of hiding its brilliant
light In tiny corner Of the safe In
Paul's office, Instead pride held sway,
and Just to show that she did not care
Kate firted outrageoualy with John
Trent.
{ lust VINO Trent was no one seemed
to know exactly. It was said that he
hotel which should bring prosperity TO
the island. Certain 1t was that speedy
team from the livery took him on many
tours of the Island, and during these
trips Kate frequently occupied the seat
OF the cutter with him.
Paul Condor, whose duties held him
closely at the dock, watched them speed
past on their way to visit some likely
location, and, with heavy heart. he
wondered what the outcome would be.
He neither liked nor trusted Trent,
wherein he stood alone, for Trent had
wormed himself into the good graces
OF most OF the Islanders. At the sim
pie entertainments Of Its social life he
was always the most welcome guest,
while Paul, glowering In n corner and
refusing to take part In any Of the
games suggested by Trent, found less
and less sympathy as Trent's popular
ity grew.
1t was not often that Paul attended
social affairs now. urging the office as
an excuse, though he had not found 1t
difficult to leave the dock even on sail
ing nights when he was to act as es-
cort to Kate Pyfr0m. He and his ia
Their owned the steamer Robert G.,
which made semiweekly trips to the
mainland In winter this was about
the only means OF communication, for
the heavy gales made the passage Of
the pleasure sloops almost impossible,
and the stancher boats were engaged
on the fishing banks. The Robert q.
carried the catch across the strait to
the city, and 1t was this traffic which
made q regular communication with
the mainland possible.
The salllngs were scheduled for O
O'Clock, but If the fishing boats were
late coming In the steamer would be
held until their arrival. and frequently
1t was long after midnight before the
start was made.
This furnished Paul with the excuse
for remaining away from merrymak-
ings, and gradually In the society Of
the fishermen and merchants he heard
little Of what was going on, though
Hates Increasing fondness for Trent
was gossip even among the seafarers.
SO completely had he isolated him
self from the local gossip that he was
surprised when one sailing day George
Pyfrom drove his daughter up to the
dock and engaged passage for her
across to the mainland.
"She's going to visit her Aunt Kate
down to Boston," he explained as he
laid down the money for round trip
ticket. "Its good for young folks to
visit around a bit think a trip to
Boston would be good for you just
now, Paul"
There was meaning In the tones. but
Paul SHOOK MS neau.
II guess there's no chance even in
Boston, captain" he declared. II guess
I've lost all hold on Kate"
PyfrOm, unconvinced, shook his head,
but he offered no further argument,
and after learning that the fishing feet
would be In late he stamped out of the
office and on board the steamer to see
that Kate was made comfortable.
II was the rule that passengers should
be aboard at the announced sailing
time, and when @ o'clock came Paul
locked the ticket drawer and went out
on the dock to look after some freight
He studiously avoided glancing toward
the after part Of the steamer, where
the passenger accommodations were,
and he did not notice the white, visit
full face pressed against the pane Of
one of the staterooms.
Nor did he see that the face was still
there when he returned from supper
and the first of the fGiing feet lined
up alongside Of the dock and began to
pass the barrels Of fish across the dock
to the steamer.
From that time on all was confusion.
As rapidly as boat could unload she
gave place to another. and by mid
night the last of the cargoes was stow
ed and the sailors began to make prep.
arations to cast of.
Paul had gone to the gangplank to
see that all was right when Trent en-
deavored to press past him. For mo-
ment Paul hesitated. then resolutely
he barred the way.
Tickets" he demanded. Trent laugh
ed.
"In FIX 1t with the purser," he as
sured.
"You cannot get aboard without a
ticket" Paul insisted.
'"Then sell me one" suggested Trent.
setting down his suit case and draw
ing out his bill fold.
THE sale Of tickets stopped at o
O'clock" reminded Paul. mo more
tickets will be sold for this voyage.
You will have to wait until Thursday"
ut is vital that I should catch this
boat" declared Trent. II just hap
pened to remember that have an i'm
portant Stockholders meeting In New
York ON Friday"
you should have remembered before
@ o'clock" said Paul. II cannot let
you board the steamer now"
you can't stop me-" clustered Trent
"You are u common carrier, and you
have to give me passage"
II know the law" insisted Paul.
you cannot sail on the Robert @. to-
night That Is all there IL TO IT,"