The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-03
Mrs. Williamson
BY Mrs. w. X. Clifford.
CHAPTER |
BY Mrs. w. X. Clifford


out years leave in England. The
cold had worried him good deal.
and country houses and London So
ctety alike bored him, but he had
struggled through the winter. even
to the end of the Easter holidays.
Then he sprained his foot, which
obliged him to lie up and gave him
time for reflection. Let it be said
here that he was four and thirty
and good-looking. He cared little
for frivolities, he read books when
they were not to stodgy, but he was
neither particularly learned nor even
highly cultured. He had agreeable
manners and pleasant instincts; he
vas affectionate to his sisters,
though he could get along well
enough without them; staunch to
his friends. though he did not care
to see too much of them. or easily
make acQuaintances As for falling
in love. It simply did not occur to
him; life was pleasant enough: why
complicate It with untried condi-
ions?
Il think l shall go and do trav-
ai." he said TO his mother when his
'oot was better. There are some
ships that go from Liverpool along
he Mediterranean. From Genoa |
could easily get to Milan and the
italian lakes, over a pass into Switz-
-rland, and wait there for you all"
rhe Travers family went to the En-
sadine every August as naturally as
Il went to church every Sunday.
Then we could be together till
rave to hurry back to the coast and
:atch ship for Bombay" 1t was
,eculiarity OF his that laying out
programme meant, as a rule, a sense
of obligation to carry it through.
Tom Darton went down to Liver
pool to see him Off. The Arab was
lot to sail till three. So they lunch
ID at the hotel, and were as silent
q old chums often are-they had
peen at Woolwich ogether-when Il
iarting is at hand. Darton tried TO
ak Of the people and doings they
10th remembered; but 1t was no
rood. Then he noticed woman,
luietly dressed in some sort of dark
Tooien stuff, and a little hat close
tting and soft, lunching alone at
he next table. She was thin and
are worn looking, even little in
ignificant at the first glance. and
7ot young-three or forr and thirty,
'erhaps. There was something pa
fhetic about her. Z acre was a half
:unted look in her eyes that ar
.ested attention.
Il think | have seen her before"
arton said; her face seems to be
.:miliar. Wonder who she is?"
Sensible, anyhow" Travers an
'wered. Mutton chop and a glass
claret. can't stand a woman
no has poached egg and cup
Z tea in the middle of the day. You
lay take it as a pretty safe rule
nat she doesn't know much and is
resome." Then the talk drifted
vlto other channels and the solitary
oman was forgotten.
Late in the afternoon when Tray
"vs stood watching the shore retreat
ag into the already dim distance, he
NV the slim figure again. She was
raning over the side of the ship.
satching the distance. too, with an
Iger, thankful manner-for there
yas no one near her and she i'm
gfned herself unobserved. Travers
'oked at her for a moment and
heeled round to retreat. Suddenly
ie sprained foot gave way and he
ent down. An expression of pain
nd vexation escaped him; 1t was
fortifying to measure his length at
$ strange woman's feet. She turned
'uickly and put out hand to help
i'm but 1t was unnecessary.
You are hurt" she said. You
lust be hurt" and her tone was
ali frightened, half compassionate.
Its nothing" he answered.
thank you very much, l sprained
foot pretty badly six weeks ago
I'd ought TO be more careful"
"Of course you ought, a sprain is
ieh slow thing to recover from"
er voice was deep and sweet: II
3 smed to burrow its way into his
art: but his foot was hurting and
; 70 saw It.
sit down and rest" she said.
iou are in pain. This floor is so
rppery-stay. let me get you a
cck chair"
This viii do quite WELL" he sat
crwn gracefully on the seat of the
slwarks, while she remained stand
z beside him. They made me
the new dodge" he explained,
talking 1t is rather weak still;
!es way at unexpected moments"
You ought to rest 1t we'll" she
Id, still mpassionate, but you
III be able TO do that easily on
ard the ship"
Il am only going as far as Genoa.
wanted to make my way from
ere over the st. Gothard and do
me walking"
Tt won't be safe" she said. and
oked up with an air of conviction
at was impressive. He saw that
eyes We're gray. deep and clear,
d that the half-hunted look of the