The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-03

proved herself as excellent sailor
* he himself was. and they had been
almost inseparable. Their compan-
ionship was for the most part n ST.
lent one; neither was a great talker;
but each seemed instinctively and al
most unconsciously to seek the other
If they we're but an hour apart.
Through long days of rough wea-
ther, when everything was battened
down, and all the other passengers
were invisible, they sat in the sa-
loon: reading generally, but sending
now and then look or word
across the space between them. till
II was possible to creep out to the
deck once more. Then, as matter
of course, they went together, for an
hour at first, and then for whole
long hours that sped as the ship did
through the rushing water. Gradu-
ally the air became like velvet. and
happiness seemed TO be softly steal
ing over the sea toward their ship
or so he felt. To her It was differ
ent. The sound of the screw, the
calming of the leaping waves. the
sight Of distant sail, and OF moth
Ing else save the sea and sky, the
long deck. and the white awning
that had just been put up over It.
the wonderful morning when she
first saw Gibraltar and the dim Afri-
can shore far away. everything SEEM
ed to burn its memory into her heart
and soul. She looked neither for
ward nor backward; she Just dared
to live and that was all. Love, and
remembered hate. despair, despera-
ton and maddening dread. each had
their hold OF her in turn. Travers
found her difficult and reticent.
though now she allowed him to stay
beside her on deck or in the saloon,
as naturally as he took his place be-
side her at dinner, and gradually she
waited and watched for him. Most
OF the other passengers had been in
visible till the night they sighted
the lights of Lisbon. The two peo-
pie who had seen each other casual
ly for the first time at the Liver
pool hotel seemed to have inherited
n world to themselves. and If the
woman stared fate In the eyes dunn
founded, the man was unafraid. He
knew perfectly that he had fallen in
love with Miss Williamson. that all
the years that has been his hills OF
defense were leveled under her pas
sing footstep. He hungered. thirst
ed. painted. to know more of her. to
wake her from the half sorry dream
that II struck him sometimes she had
found life. to rouse her into happi-
ness from the sad apology for It
that he imagined the world made
her now, to know everything about
her, above all. to see the gray eyes
that he could swear rememb bered sor-
row, light up with love-and love
for him.
by Jove," he said to himself, 81
have come by cropper this time.
and for a woman had not set eyes
on ten days ago. What an ass l am.
But she's like no one | ever saw on
earth before. II | could only make
her care for me, what time I'd
give her in India" He was not GO
ing to leave the ship at Genoa. He
remembered that it was four years
since he had seen Naples, that 1t
would be rather a good thing to go
on; besides, he told her. 1t was bet
ter for his foot, which was getting
strong a few days more would make
a difference to It.
1T seems as If we had known each
other for years" he said as they sat
on their deck chairs that night. The
watch had just been changed. there
had been a rumor of phosphores-
cence, the air was soft and warm;
the breath of Italy was in it; the
delicious sound of the water was in
theirs ears, the whole world seemed
half an enchantment. Tomorrow
we shall be at Genoa. We ought to
land for a little while: should like
to show you the Red palace II you
will let me-"
Il am sorry we are coming to the
land again" she said. II should
like to stay on the sea forever. yet
want to see everything"
How is it you have never been
away before?"
"Oh, don't know" she answered.
He knew as little about her as he
had on the day they met first. She
listened to everything he said con-
cerning himself. but she told him
nothing Of her own history.
Perhaps you had relations to
look after?"
Yes. had them to look after"
she hesitated. and then went on.
There were a great many of us at
home, and ! was the eldest. We
were poor and had no time to go
about. used to teach my little sis
ters their French verbs and make
them play their scales till l was
eighteen. That was ten years ago
feel like haggard old woman. but
| am only eight and twenty"
But you have not just left
Il left whea | was nineteen. |