The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-19
THE EVENING STORY
An Unfinished Song.
(By Jerome Sprague.)

A man leaning over the deck rail
caught the echo of thrilling burst OF
melody. He looked about him to dis
cover the source. Not a soul was In
sight. The deck chairs were deserted.
Again there came the thrilling notes
and Granger, following the sound,
came upon a girl wrapped in a steamer
rug.
1t was wild song, and it 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 a tangle by the beat
ing wind. She smiled at Granger.
There seemed nothing unconventional
in such a greeting. The girl laughed
up into Changers face. isn't it finer
she said.
He stammered a reply. He was not
man of many words. All his life he
had worked hard. and had little time
for pleasure and none for Irritation.
Woman nature was to him an undis-
covered country. Yet his heart leaped,
as this girl said to him in her musical
voice. isn't it fine?"
He wished that he might reply
easily. but he only blushed and went
on. Some instinct made him turn,
however, to see the girl struggling to
keep her balance. The heavy sweep of
the WHO, anu lIS SidnI OF the Q6Cks
was too much for her, and, before he
could reach her. she fell. He picked
her up to find her laughing do you
still think 1t fine?" he managed to say.
TITS great" was her response. THE
wilder it is the more love it,
His spirit seemed to exist with hers.
In all his life he had never known such
a sense of trfum phant freedom as he
now experienced. The work-a-day-
world seemed miles away.
I'VE had better go in" he gasped,
but she said mo"
ct hate it in that stuffy cabin was
her explanation when she could make
herself heard. did you hear me slug
ing?" was her further question in an
other intermission.
eyes, what was ft?"
The wild hawk to the wind swept
sky,
The deer to the lonesome world, -
she crooned.
s'Go on" he said breathleSsly.
But now the storm was upon them
in full force.
Within the cabin. unfoIded from the
rug she showed herself a slim creature
in blue serge gown. Back again in
conventional surroundings Granger
once more lost his tongue. He bowed
and left her. That night at dinner she
was next to him at the table. Il asked
for this seat" she said frankly. you
SdNSu me lIOlu AllS SLOTll--p6Illd DIS
you may save me" she stopped and
as he looked down at her in surprise.
IF there is anything 1 can do" he
said, you must let me know" But
she was laughing again, gay and radi-
ant.
the deck watching the moon float
through the ragged clouds. she came
to him all pale and trembling
Perhaps I am all wrong" she said,
ito ask you, but somehow I feel that
you can be trusted. Will you keep
these for me?" She put into his hand
a little box. ''They are my pearls" she
"heirlooms in our family.
My cousin who is with me thinks they
should have been given to her. She
has told the Captain that I am Ill and
not responsible, so if 1 give them to
him he will take them back to her.
But I am perfectly we'll and they are
mine"
Granger was a practical man of
business. I'll keep them,' he said
promptly, land give them to you just
before We leave the boat"
Thank you" she said, and left him.
He was glad that she had furnished
him a reason for intimacy. At the
breakfast table the next morning he
watched the cousin and found her a
cold sort of person.
He resolved to watch over her, and
heard a controversy between the two
as they sat in their steamer chairs.
What have you done with them % |
asked the cousin
But his little friend would not tell.
srWait till we get to New York" she |
Grandmother was in her dotage when |
she left them to you. They belong to
me. Helen
Granger saw the young girls eyes
sweep the deck and light up as they
rested on him. Then she flung her de- |
hance at her cousin. ST would rather |
ding them into the sea- she said, |
than to let you have them"
Granger strolled over to the pair. |
''Will you walk with me- he asked |
the girl.
who is this-gentleman p the
cousin asked icily.
Granger took out his card. That |
will serve to introduce me-" he said. |
THE Captain knows me and think /
you can find several other people on |
board who viii furnish all the creden- |
tiaIs necessary"
After that Helen and he were much |
together. All the youth in Granger |
woke in response to the child in her.
One morning Granger appeared be-
fore her with q drawn look on his |
face. ST have lost your pearls" he |
said
She gasped. How
ct do not know. Probably they were |
stolen But who ?"
cousin Jane could not have done |
it. j" she told him. II have been with /
her every moment. except when she is /
on deck in her chair. Then I am with /
you. Someone must have heard US
talking and have seen me give you the /
box
Granger reported the loss One day /
he said to Helen, You must give me /
the right TO buy pearls for you-when |
we reach New York. I want you TO be i
my wife,"