The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-19
TIE EVENING STORY
Another Girl.
tBy Dorothy Douglas.)

sengers. For the time being, his posi-
ton as newly engaged man, hung
heavily upon his shoulders. Helen
Danvers, his fiancee, hal / cen on the
pier and as the boat pulled away leaV-
ing only the murky water between her
and the man of her choice, Helen's
piquant face had found fearful nest
in the bit of lacy cambria which served
as a handkerchief.
Still, as the day wore on Jimmy
cheered up 1t seemed to him that he
had never before crossed the briny
deep on so wonderfully laden a ship.
In companionways, in the library, in
the bow of the boat and in the stern he
seemed destined to meet fragments
from the feminine world and each bit
looked prettier than the last. For a
moment Jim Murphy felt aggrieved;
his allegiance to Helen Danvers shut
him off from any shipboard romance
"a heretofore much enjoyed prlvl-
lege of the ocean voyage.
1t was at dinner that the blow
came. He was in the act of giving his
order to the steward when that indivl-
dual rushed to the assistance of the
girl who had been assigned the seat
next to his own. After one glance at
her, Murphy realized that, had he
been a steward, his actions would have
been the same.
81 am afraid I interrupted your
order" The girl looked into Murphy's
eyes. The heart of the engaged man
after you" Murphy's tone was re-
served to the point of unfriendliness.
The girl cast quick glance at him
then turned to contemplate the menu.
Murphy felt that he had been thrown
from her regard much as she would
discard an unpleasing bit of fabric.
1t was too much for Jimmie's knowl-
edge of the joy of living. He turned
to her with a smile that shone from
his heart.
''PIease forgive my seeming rude
ness" he said with a full measure OF
friendliness in his eyes. 81 am a trihe
peevish-there are the jolliest lot of
pretty girls on this boat that I have
of all of them"
Molly Sherwell laughed and glanced
questioningly at Murphy.
81 would not have selected you IS
one fearful of feminine wiles."
But am engaged"
It seemed for a second that the very
engines stopped their vibrations; then
the girl spoke again.
THAT does make considerable differ
ence." She paused while a queer lit
tie shadow fitted across her face i
believe that I, too, would be afraid
to cross the ocean with some jolly
men on board If I owed allegiance to
one in particular. ocean liners seem 10
be the embodiment of the old time sor-
ceress=I feel sure that she at least
yields her wand over them ALL
1.-THE wand of Enthusiastically? p
Jimmy Murphy but half expected an
answer.
laughed Molly. st have crossed the
ocean nine times and on every trip L
And the mem" Murphy put the
question quickly, eagerly desirous OF
knowing the outcome.
Three of them wanted me to marry
them: the others were merely the ef-
feet Of moonlight. the tapping of the
waves and leisure hours spent in close
" set steamer chairs"
And your" Again in the eager ques-
ton.
al? Well-as soon as my feet touch
the wharf I am as heaTt-free as II l
had never seen boat"
Jimmy Murphy was silent for so
long time that his companion broke
into a soft laugh. Surely you are
not going to have many more such
serious and profound moments during
II will tell you exactly what I was
thinking-if you care to know" Mur-
ply turned so that he met her startled
glance do your
mo" she put in quickly
''I shall tell you, anyway When you
interrupted my thoughts 1 had just
conquered a desire to make you care
for rne-your attitude made me desire
a siege in which you would be the VIC
tim-but my better nature won OUT
and" Murphy laughed lightly.
s'Then I have missed rather anus
ing game=haven't I ~
Jim Murphy's lips shut tight. Molly
Sherwen cast glance ct him and felt
satisfied F'lippant remarks would have
to bridge many chasm with this man
and she hoped that her inconsequent
moods would never be far from her
command.
sSince you are heartless and I am
engaged we are certainly well guarded
against the wiles of the ocean-will
YOU walk on deck with me now? 1
insist on being Enthusiastically is
great between man ard woman
isn't it?
Molly left the question unanswered
1t was the tenth dav. and on the
morrow Queenstown AMI all that word
meant would be with the passengers of
the Marion In the evening, the last
night on board, Molly Sherwel and
Jim Murphy paced a moOnlit deck.
s'Thfs has been the most pleasant of
nv trips" 1t was the girl who spoke.
''For once, the voyage has been calm
and churnrny rather thas emotional
isn't it so?'
perhaps it has been TO you
Molly laughed quickly. II do believe
you would be serious in another day or
| two. It is a good thing that we will be
having that sad sweet parting so
soon"
"Stop! You know as well as that
YOU are only trying to cover the real
I nv the Aippant. All the time 1 am in
lI,ondon-you are going to be there.
You have promised to give me one
month of your splendid friendship and
we are going to all the theatres, operas
| and dinners that we can crowd into
thirty days
| mo. no-that was sone of our in
lcouseouent chatter at the beginning of
the trip" Molly tried to draw her arm
When they arrived at the stern of
the boat where no sound came save the