Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-13

"And I'll be on sea duty for two
years" sighed the man bitterly.
II was just rs hard for the girl. but
the knowledge that she was loved
helped to buoy her up.
Then We must make the best CT
the time we have" she said. 'sTen me
what you've been doing since I saw
you last"
Sommers shrugged his shoulders
Nothing to tell. Been at sea. that's
ALL he said.
"But surely you do something at
seaT'' persisted the girl
He was still too disconsolate at the
thought OF parting to quite lift him
self into her mood.
"Oh. we eat and sleep. and I've
taken up wireless a little I'm my spare
moments. 1 expect you know why.
I've been interested in 1t ever since
you gave me my first lesson in your
worlrOom."
"Can you send and takeg" she asked
eagerly.
"a little. but am slow at It."
The girl was leaning on the table
now In her eagerness. for already an
idea had occurred to her.
Il can send well now" she exclaim-
ed. 81 spent lots OF time in the Ir-
vcssa's little wireless room. It seems
so much more wonderful on sea than
It did on land. Oh. the mystery OF It
ain
Think Of being away OF tossing
shout In a boat. with nothing but sky
and water anywhere In sight and 10
have one who is"-she hesitated mo-
ment. and n bright flush rose as she
went on. correcting herself quickly
! Il mean. or course. II there should be
some one very dear to you on that
same ocean. You don't know where
how near OF how far but by touching
n key you can send your thoughts fy-
| ing In every direction. and the little
wave currents bearing your message
viii culver around him. brush by him,
perhaps torch his cheek in passing.
/ and you wonder IL he feels It."
The man was looking az her queerly.
by Jove. that's stranger he said.
I low, as she finished.
Frances laughed teasinCIy.
why. have you ever felt message
/ dancing about you2" she questioned
SOmmers shook his head.
''No. but the Roanoke I'D. Il was
very singular. I assure you. ! was 81
the wireless room one night n couple
OF weeks ago talking TO the operator
| the girl leaned forward with sudden,
tense eagerness-''when suddenly. with
out call or getting our response or
any preliminary that the well regu-
lated message INDUCES IN before com
ing 10 you. over our recorder there
came clicking In a wonder message"
His voice softened 10 a note OF ten
| derness.
1T was n message OF love-the ten.
derest and sweetest I've ever known
| No one could tell for whom IL was In
tended don't think 81 knew itself
1t had gone astray.
cit was sent by a woman-it must
have been-and IL found a home with
Us. Not man on that ship but car
ries It now in his heart May tell II
to your
The girl was looking at him. her
heart I'm her eyes.
"a love message7 OF course" she
said softly. But how extraordinary
Sommers nodded.
Wasn't Il? 1t seemed almost cruel
that such a dear little message. so in.
nocent and pure. should have been
thrown out into this hard old world OF
ours 10 dash through the air. through
heat and cold and storm. vainly seek
ing an owner; going on and on. miles
and miles. in every direction. until at
last it became weak and faint-and
| died"
But. you see. it didn't die" added
the girl teDderly.
mo- said the man. by some
chance as 1t few by us we caught it.
and we loved IT. That message will
live until the last man on that ship
has fought his fight"
And it was sent to no one in par
tcular?" questioned the girl
ITO you" he answered.
ITO mer' she exclaimed. startled.
| Sommers shook his head, smiling.
mo. no, that was the address. Lis
ten: TO you. my own one, send this
little message overlooking with my
| love-"
He was bending across the table
eagerly. speaking low the wonder mes
sage that had come 70 him; giving 1t
back, his own declaration OF love TO
| the girl.
Yes" said she softly, for she under
stood
AT her tone an intuition came to
him. He caught her look. he, too.
understood And so he dared mis-
i quote little
should It ever reach you, would
you know 1t came from meT'
mo. no. 1t wasn't that" exclaimed
Frances sharply. Then she stopped
abruptly. the crimson rushing to Ter
/ face.
Whats the matter? Didn't / get 1t
rightT' he asked. with pretended In
| nocence.
The girl, caught. now was trembling.
why, how should l known
The preteEse of innocence was hope
less. he shook his head. smiling ten
| derIy.
How should you know? Because
yOu sent e. Oh that naesaCa xvoa