The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-06-08
Delaying a
;, Voyage.
FRANCES TRUMBULL.


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Had either Paul or Kate been less
their little misunderstanding
would have healed quickly. and the SOL
itaire would have CLEANED on Rates
finger instead of hiding its brilliant
light in tiny corner of the safe In
Paul's Office. Instead pride held sway.
Kate firted outrageousy with John
Trent
Just who Trent was no one seemed
to know exactly 1t was said that he
was looking for a site for summer
hotel which should bring prosperity to
the island Certain 1t was that Il speedy
team from the livery took him Oh 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 a heavy heart. he
wondered what the outcome would be.
He neither liked nor trusted Trent.
W uCitln bC otOOu aiOhCt iOt ilCht bhu
wormed himself into the good graces
of most of the islanders. At the sim
pie entertainments of it's social life he
was always the most welcome guest.
while Paul, gowering In a 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 it
difficult to leave the dock even on sail
ing nights when he was to act as es-
cort to Kate Pyfrom. 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 G.
carried the catch across the strait to
the city, and it was this traffic which
made a regular communication with
the mainland possible.
The saiings were scheduled for G
O'Clock. but If the fishing boats were
late coming in the steamer would be
held until their arrival. and frequently
it 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 a round trip
ticket. ITS good for young folks to
visit around bit. | think trip to
Boston would be good for you just
now, Paul"
There was meaning in the tones. but
Paul shook his head
81 guess there's no chance even in
Boston, captain" he declared. 81 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.
1t 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 fishing 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 a 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 Off
Paul had gone to the gaDgplank to
see that all was right when Trent en-
deavored to press past him. For a mo.
ment Paul hesitated. then resolutely
he barred the way.
Tickets" he demanded. Trent laugh
ed.
"I'll fix II with the purser." he as
sured.
"You cannot get aboard without a
hcket." Paul insisted.
'Then sell me one." suggested Trent
setting down his suit case and draw,
ing out his bill fold.
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