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


married the curate. He was used
to p. & O.'s, too, up to the ways of
enerprGing damsels and giddy grass
widows. ready to beguile ,he monot-
ony of voyage In any way to which
the other sex would respond And
yet, for no reason at all that he
could define. here was thts little wo-
man in black. with pale face and
a pair of big eyes. stealing over his
senses and rousing not only his curt
osity. but some sort of feeling that
made him eager to listen to her.
that set him wondering about her
past and future. Quite suddenly
she asked a question:
II wish you would tell me your
name?" she said.
"Travers, he answered quickly.
Edward Travers. know who you
are." he added. She started little
and looked at him; 1t seemed as IL
she held her breath. He thought
she resented his curiosity Miss
Henrietta Williamson. saw It in
the passenger list"
"Oh!"
And you are travelling alone?"
Yes, alone"
mo one even to see you of to-
day?"
mo one"
Then she asked him something
else.
Tell me who you are. know
your name quite we'll"
MY Governors name I expect you
mean; he's n Judge, you know"
Il have seen him-somewhere
she added. after a moments hesita-
tion. II have heard that he was
very kind man"
"Awfully kind II breaks his
heart If he has to hang anybody"
Some one on the piano played a
German air. He stopped for a mo-
ment and listened. THAT tune
brings back things" he said We
used to call 1t the long Indian day
at Simla."
Its Herr, mein Herr.
1T makes me think of the Way
lett case last year
She turned and looked at him
again. Her face flashed something
that was like defiance.
Why" she asked.
MY father was trying It. We
were waiting for the verdict at home
Just before dinner-for It was late
when It finished. We felt sure she
would be found guilty, and we knew
what 1t would be for my father to
sentence her. And it's an awful
thing. you know, for anyone to be
hanged, especially a woman"
What has Herr. mein Herr to
do with it?" she asked. She had
put her elbows on the rail and sup
porting her chin on her hands was
looking straight out to sea again
"A brass band was playing II in
the square when the telegram came
he always telegraphs his big YER
diets home. Ten minutes later he
came in. He had summed up in her
favor"
Yes" her voice was faint as II
she took but little interest in the
subject.
For he said that even if she had
done it the man was such brute
that he deserved 1t. | believe some
of the jury felt that. too"
Besides" she said, almost bitter
ly, I'VE might generally spare our
selves the trouble of setting out
pains and penalties for criminals.
Greater punishment is generally at
tached to the crime than any that
can be invented outside of it."
"Oh, come" he was little shock
ed; I'VE must have laws and things,
you know" But she answered moth
ing. Are you going to stay long
at Naples?" he asked by way OF
changing the conversation.
IL don't know"
Not going to friends?"
II am going to an old friend of
my mothers" and then. with a sud
den rush of confidence, she is badly
off and keeps a pension there"
shall you stay long,"
IL don't know. All my life, per-
haps-or only day. | wish | had
travelled" she went on suddenly.
II have been nowhere. | want to
see everything in the world. l think
one ought, and somehow | will"
She lifted her chin and doubled
her fists beneath II, her tone was de-
termined, she spoke as If for mo-
ment she had forgotten that she
was with a stranger.
That's right" he said. II don't
think that ! should be content with
a little slice of the world myself"
She turned away; evidently she took
no interest in what might or might
not content him.
Il am going down." she said; 1T
is time"
Have you good stateroom?"
Yes, thank you. and woman
who appears to be quiet enough has
the other berth" She stopped while
She spoke and looked round as If in
to the shadows that crowded over
the dack