The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-15
TIE EVENING STORY
Delaying a Voyage
(By Frances Trumbuli.)

stubborn their little misunderstand- I
ing would have healed quickly, and
the solitaire would have CLEANED on
Hates finger instead OF hiding it, brii- |
liant light in a tiny corner of the safe
in Paul's office. Instead pride held
sway. and just to show that she did |
not care Kate fiirted outrageously with |
John Trent
to know exactly. 1t was said that he |
was looking for site for a summer |
hotel which should bring prosperity to |
the island. Certain it was that a |
speedy team from the livery took him !
on many tours of the island, and |
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 simple entertain |
ments of its social life he was always
the most welcome guest. while Paul. |
glowertng in a corner and refusing
to take part in any of the games
less sympathy as Trent's popularity
grew.
It was not often that Paul attend
ed social affairs now, urging the Of
flee as an excuse. though he had not
found it difficult to leave the dock
even on sailing nights when he was to
act as escort to Kate Pyfrom. He
and his father owned the steamer
Robert G., which made semf-week-
ly 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 straits to the
made a regular communication with
the mainland possible.
| The sailings were scheduled for
o'clock, but if the fishing boats were
late coming in the steamer would be
held until their arrival, and frequent
ly it was long after midnight before
the start was made.
This furnished Paul with the ex-
cuse for remaining away from merry
makings, and, gradually, In the So
ciety 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.
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
laid down the money for round trip
ticket Its good for young folks to
visit around a bit. I think trip to
Boston would be good for you Just
now, Paul."
There was meaning in the tones.
CHI
81 guess there's no chance even in
Boston, capt." he declared. Il guess
I've lost all hold on Kate" st,e gssg-
Pyfrom, unconvinced, shook his
head, but he offered no further argu-
ment, and, after learning that the
fishing fleet would be in late. he
stamped out Of the office and on
board the steamer to see that Kate
was made comfortable.
It was the rule that passengers
should be aboard at the announced
sailing time. and when 6 o'clock
came Paul locked the ticket drawer
and went out on the dock to look az
ter some freight. He studfously avoid
ed glancing toward the after part OF
the steamer where the passenger ac-
commodations were, and he did not
notice the white. wistful face pressed
against the pane Of one OF the state
rooms.
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 confu-
sion AS rapidly as a boat could un-
load she gave place to another, and
| by midnight the last of the cargoes
was slowed and the sailors began to
make preparations to cast off.
Paul had gone to the gangplank to
rio w TTRnf
deavored to press past him. For
moment Paul hesitated. then resolute-
ly he barred the way.
Tickets" he demanded. Trent
sTIl fix it with the purser." he as
sured.
you cannot get aboard without
ticket" Paul insisted.
'rhen sell me one," suggested Trent.
setting down his suit case ana drawing
out his bill fold.
''The sale of tickets stopped at 6
O'clock" reminded Paul. mo more
tickets will be sold for this voyage.
You will have to wait until Thursday"
"It is vital that I should catch this
boat" declared Trent. II just hap
pened to remember that I 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 a common carrier and you
have to give me passage"
IT know the law" insisted Paul. You
cannot sail on the Robert G. tonight. !
That is all there is to it"
Afraid that I'm going to elope with
Kate?" sneered Trent.
II thought that you knew she was
aboard" retorted Paul. Il tell you that
you can't SAIL
With an oath Trent struck at his
rival but the blow was easily blocked, |
and the next instant Paul had Trent by |
the collar. Dragging him away from |
the gang-plank, he gave orders for the |