Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-12-31
THE GIRL AT pOTCHEFSTROOM.

| Since the captain had announced at
dinner that they would reach Cape
Town in the morning, every one was
making the most of the last night.
The promenade deck was full OF
laughter and electric light right up to
| the wind screens. Beyond them there
was only a mast headlight, and the
moon scurrying through tangle of
| clouds, and the swish-swash of the
sea.
1.-THE end of the voyage" said
woman's voice, from the depths of
cushioned chair.
''The end of everything" said
mans voice.
There was, of course, man.
The movement in the cushioned
chair suggested the struggling of
shoulders.
BE serious" she commanded, "to-
night, please"
His hand invaded the big chair, and
came to rest upon an arm.
IL grew serious a fortnight ago.
should not tell you, only-you know,
don't you, dear?"
81 know" there was another move
ment in the cushioned chair as if her
arm went a little closer to his hand.
81 grew little serious, too" she con-
fessed He had to bend over to catch
her words.
II didn't mean ever to tell you, but
you knew, too
81 knew she sighed.
"Shall you mind very much?"
'Why do you ask?" she cried pas
sionately.
rs it wrong?"
"Is Unnecessary" There was a
sharp catch in her voice, and he
stroked her arm gently.
"It is going to hurt me horribly lit
tie girl. I don't complain of that It's
been worth it. If only it wouldn't hurt
you--"
Would you like me not to carer"
she asked.
He shook his head.
"Of course, if | had any proper
womanly pride l should pretend that
i
you would pretend to. Oh, | do care!
1t was my first voyage, and-and-you
know what it has been to me- And
now" She stopped abruptly, and
he stroked her arm again
You have been the whole world to
me for the last fortnight" he whis-
pered. Tomorrow | shall have moth
ing left"
They were silent for full minute.
Then she sat upright. The moon
divsd out from one little cloud toward
another, and showed pale face, with
big eyes and ruffled, dark hair.
"You have-the girl at Potchef-
stroom" she said with sharp ring in
her voice.
The girl at Potchefstroom! He
muttered something under his breath.
Hush! 1t isn't her fault | am
sorry for her, too. What is she like?
You have never told me about her,
really"
Il don't want to talk about her." he
said, slowly.
II want to know about her. l wish
her to be nice-well, l try to wish
for your sake She is, isn't she?"
Most people think so. Yes, she is
nice"
and pretty?"
"Yes-es, one might call her pretty"
''Do you think she is?"
81 suppose SOL he said rather impa-
tiently. 81 don't want to think about
her tonight; don't ask me any more
please"
"Only this: Is she good? Really
and truly good?"
Yes" he declared. "She is good
Certainly she is that
She subsidized into the cushioned
chair and sighed.
Perhaps she is the best for you. I
am not good or l wouldn't have let
myself like you. | am not a fiirt, real
| ly. People have to make friends on
a voyage, and | thought you would be
just a friend like other friends. l did
not know that you were different from
| other men, until Her voice gave
way.
Tell me, darling" He put his arm
around her.
No, no! You mustn't"
There is only tonight, little girl
little girl-just one"
rs she very fond of your"
She is fond OF me. Don't talk of
her any more"
CHI
Il don't think so. You see, she is
Oh. never mind her tonight"
81 do mind her" They were silent
for long time Then she put her
hand gently on his.
BE good to her, she said huskily.
Eyes, yes. She doesn't matter,
dear"
Doesn't mattsr?"
"She makes no difference You for.
get that you are engaged?"
Il don't want to speak of that" she
cried quickly.
eff you knew how l hate him"
There's no reason why you
should"
mo reason! When I know that he
will have you! Sometimes feel as
if | shall go out of my mind when |
think of it,
Poor boy!" She turned to him
suddenly. would it relieve you very
much if you heard that it was broken
off,"
'Of course it would What a selfish
brute | ami
She 1o11Uhfod