Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-08-11
Allan Tweedie'S Story
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary PressJ

When Muriel vane boarded the
Mosetania her heart was as free as
the unclipped wings Of bird; she was
gloriously happy.
During the afternoon of the first day
out she ensconced herself in a deck
chair and gave herself over to the idle
dreaming which invariably mingled it.
self with the soft swell OF the waves
and the steady throbbing of the huge
engines
She must have dozed into at least
semi-consciousness for she realized.
with a sense OF expectancy. that the
chair next her own had been claimed.
Its occupant was Britisher. OF that
she was certain; the shaggy brown
tweed of his coat told her that.
Her rug had been slowly slipping
from about her feet
You will have cold feet in another
moment" He was out of his chair and
wrapping her up before she knew 1t.
Let me tuck you up"
Thank you" Muriel said. but you
were so comfortable before"
| Never mind that-Ill manage to
get comfortable again" He drew out
his tobacco pouch. II hope you don't
mind my smoke-It win blow in your
direction.
Smoke is one OF the most ,ovabic
things about men-I think"
The man paused in the act Of light
ing his pipe. He turned startled eyes
on Muriel
"A man who doesn't smoke" she IN
sisted hurriedly, lis like a woman
who doesn't firt"
"Oh-hi" Allen Tweedie's eyelids
drew together as he used the peculiar
scooping syllable which Mariel grew
to love. "Then-you are fiirt. are
your
Il most certainly am" Muriel
smiled wickedly. II simply love &C
fiirt sometimes think / would fiirt
with lion tanner should I happen tc
meet one"
"And-what about a tanner OF won
emf"
Il have not had the pleasure o.
meeting one"
Tweedie's brows went up slightly
then closed again over the heightened
brilliancy of his eyes. Then he sale
slowly. "If we're not practically tiet
down to single blessedness for tn,
next few years would take grea
pleasure in giving you that expert
ence."
Muriel laughed mockingly. her eye
bantering and irresponsible. ''I'm 81
sorry" she said through her ringinl
laughter. that you are so comfortabl.
supplied with reason"
Allan Tweedie's lips frightened an,
his eyes narrowed themselves int
green points of light He changed
You are amusing. at least" he said
lightly.
Muriel turned her eyes full upo
him. For second Allan Tweedi
glirnpsed the thin film of tragedy be
meath the surface of the girls noel
ing spirit. She spoke with an impetr
GUS haste. entirely forgetting that tn
man to whom she spoke was an abst
Lutte stranger. your cruelty was rati
er uncalled for think-since we ar
merely ship-board companions wher
ALL"
I'm sorry" he put IN quickly br
she interrupted him swiftly.
1T doesn't in the least natter
never let these little stabs hurt me-
perhaps deserve them. But listen
she unveiled her inner thoughts wit
rapid words: Light as may seel
TO you'll would give anything in TIL
world IL some man could make n,
love him | don't mean the commo
attraction which draws a man an
woman together-Pve had a surfe
of that"
: And 1t has never lasted?"
4 Not once" Muriel paused a lor
1 moment and then turned to him. :
] have been on the verge of marriaf
three times. and-it seemed like an 1
teryention of Fate that I should ha,
l sung at some concert just before ia
fng the step. In each case. the a
plause and the honor OF friendship
given me so dwarfed the love that
| was about to accept as life that cou
have none of it. Man-to me hi
never risen to the height Of an indivi
ual-he is only part of the univers
man"
| Evidently you have not met Il
man, who could let you have both al
still stand out as part of your M
piness."
/ There are SO few men who real
take pleasure In sharing the object
their love with the world. And he
miserable would be in loving a m;
/ who failed to appreciate the infini
happiness which my music affords 4
4 and who would degrade my music
| being jealous Of it"
L Then music means-life-hapl
| ness, to your" Allan Tweedie turn
/ and held the gaze OF her eyes viii
be waited his answer.
/ Il only know that when ] am alo
j and can sing my favorite songs that