The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-01-26
The Girl at POtChefStrOOm.


| ulluSl lIdI luCy "Outu SoSi Opp>
Town in the morning. every n was
making the most of the last night
The promenade deck was full Of
laughter and electric light right up tc
the wind screens. Beyond them there
was only a mast headlight, and the
moon scurrying through a tangle OF
clouds, and the swish-sWash of the
sea.
The end Of the voyage" said j
woman's voice, from the depth Of Z
cushioned chair.
The end Of everything" said q
mans voice.
There was, Of course, a 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.
II grew serious a fortnight ago. |
should not tell you, only-you know,
don't you, dear?'
II know" there was another move
ment in the cushioned chair as if her
arm went a little closer to his hand.
II grew a little serious, too," she con-
fessed. He had to bend yer to catch
her words.
Il didn't ever mean to tell you, but
you knew, too"
Il knew" he sighed. ..
shall you mind very much?"
"Why do you ask" she cried, pas
sionately.
is it wrong?"
"Is Unnecessary" There was a
sharp catch in her voice, and he
stroked her arm gently.
1T is going to hurt me horribly,
little girl. 1 don't complain of that.
It's been worth it. If only it wouldn't
hurt you"
Would you like me not to care?"
she asked.
He shook his head.
"Of course, if l had any proper
womanly pride, I should pretend that
I didn't. You wouldn't believe me,
but you would pretend to. Oh, I do
care! 1t was my first voyage. and
and-you know what it has been to
me. And now" she stopped alb
ruptly, and he stroked her arm again.
You have been the whole world to
me for the last fortnight" he whis-
pered. Tomorrow 1 shall have moth
ing left
They were silent for a full minute.
Then she sat upright. The moon
dived out from one little cloud
toward another, and showed a pale
face, with big eyes and ruf1ed, dark
hair.
You have-the girl at Potchef-
stroom," she said, with a sharp ring
in her voice.
The girl at Potchefstroom!' He
muttered something under his breath,
Hush! 1t isn't her fault. l an
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.
Il want to know about her. I wish
her to be nice-well, | try to wish
for your sake. She is, isn't she?"
Most people think so. Yes, she i!
nice"
And pretty??"
Yes, one might call her pretty.
do you think she isl"
Il suppose So" he said, rather i'm
patiently. ~ don't want to thinl
about her tonight; don't ask me an!
more, please
only this: Is she good? Real!
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.
am not good or l wouldn't nave lie
myself like you. I am not a hirt
really. People have to make friend
on a voyage. and l thought that you
would be just a friend like othe
friends. l did no know that yol
were different from other men, IN
til" her voice gave way.
Tell me. darling" He put his arm
around her.
No, no, You mustn't"
There is only tonight. little CIR
little girl-just one"
rs she very fond Of your
She is fond Of me. Don't talk >
her any more.
Will she Lave been l~lirting?'
Il don't think SO. You see, sh
is Oh! never mind her tonight"
Il do mind her" They were sileh
for a long time. Then she put be
hand gently IN his.
BE coed to ner," she said. Eus.i
lily.
Yes, yes. She doesn't matter
dear"
Doesn't matter?'
"She makes 10 difference. 70
c.sa,+ that xon are enpaped2" .