The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-09-23
An Unfinished SonS
By JEROME SPRAGUE


Copyright. ls11. by 4
The man leaning over the deck rail
caught the echo of thrilling burst
of melody. He looked about him to
discover the source. Not soul was
in sight The deck chairs were de-
serted.
Again there came the thrilling notes
and Granger. following the sound.
came upon girl wrapped in steam
er rug.
1t was Wild song. and 1t stopped as
he came up to her. The steamer rug
in which she was wrapped was red.
The girl was a dark little thing with
scarlet lips and cheeks and with
brown curls blown into q tangle by
the beating wind. She smiled at
Granger. There seemed nothing un-
conventional in such a greeting. The
girl laughed up into Grcnger's face.
Isn't 1t hne?" she said.
He stammered q reply. He was not
man of many words. All his life
he had worked hard. and had little
time for pleasure and none for nirta-
ton. Woman nature was to him an
undiscovered country. Yet his heart
leaped. as this girl said to him in her
musical voice. Isn't It 11ne?"
He wished that he might reply cas-
lily. but he only blushed and went on.
Some instinct made him turn. how
ever. to see the girl struggling to
keep her balance. The heavy sweep
o: the wind. and the slant Of the deck.
was too much for her. and. before he
could reach her. she fell. He picked
Ter up to find her laughing. do you
still think 1t is finer" he managed to
say.
IT'S great!" was her response. The
wilder 1t is the more love It."
His spirit seemed to exalt with hers.
In all his life he had never known
such sense of triumphant freedom
as he now experienced. The work-a-
day-world seemed miles away.
I'VE had better 60 in" he gasped.
but she said NO"
II hate it in that stuffy cabin" was
her explanation when she could make
herself heard. Did you hear me
singing?" was her further question in
another intermission-
Yes, what was it?'
The wild hawk to the wind swept
sky.
The deer to the lonesome wold.' :
she crooned.
go on" he said breath.essly.
But now the storm was upon them
In full force.
Within the cabin. unfolded from the
rug she showed herself slim crea-
tire In q blue serge gown Back
again in conventional surroundings
Granger once more lost his tongue.
Re bowed and left her. That night al
dinner she was next to him at the
table. II asked for this seat" she
said frankly. You saved me from
the storm-perhaps you may save me
-" she stopped and as he looked down
at her in surprise.
If there Is anything can do" he
said, you must let me know" But
she was laughing again. gay and "a.
diGnt.
That night. a. he stood late alone on
deck watching the moon float through
the ragged clouds. she came to him ali
pale and trembling.
Perhaps l am all wrong" she said
ito ask you. but somehow feel that
you can be trusted. Will you keer
these for mer She put into his hand
a little box. "Thcy are my pearls,
she whispered. ''heirlooms in our fam
lily. Ny cousin who is with me thinks
they should have been given to her
She has told the captain that I an
Ill and not responsible. so II give
them to him he will take them bach
t. her. But / am perfectly well and
they are mine"
| Granger was a practical man a
business. 'rll keep Them" he sait
promptly. "and give them to you jus
before we leave the. boat"
Thank you" she said. and left him
He was glad that she had furnished
him q reason for intimacy. At tn,
breakfas. table the next morning b
watched the cousin and found her 1
cold sort Of person.
He resolved to watch over her, and
that afternoon he had his chance. II
heard q controversy between the tw,
as they sat in their steamer chairs.
What have you done with them?'
asked the cousin.
But his little friend would not tell
wait till we get to New York" Oh,
said. you haven't any right to them
Grandmother was In her dotaee whe,
she left them to you. They belong t.
me, Helen"
| Granger saw the young girls eye
sweep the deck and Light up a. the,
rested ON him. Then she flung her de
| fiance at her cousin II would rathe
ling them into the sea-" she said
than to let you have them.-
Granger strolled over ~ the pair
SWfl1 Won walk with me" ba sshax