The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-22
Ey JEROME SPRacTE.

Copyright 1911, by the Associated
Literary Press
THE man leaning over the deck
rail caught the echo Of a thrilling
burst of melody, He looked about
HIM e discover the source. Not q
soul vas 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 steam
er rug.
II vas "A wild song, and 1t stopped
As he came up To her The steamer
rug in which she was wrapped was
red The girl was dark little thing
with scarlet lips and cheeks and
brown eurls blown into a tangle by
the beating wind She smiled at
Granger. There seemed nothing un-
conventional in such q greeting The
girl laughed up into Changers face.
isn't 1t fine ?" she said
He. stammered a reply. He was not
a man Of many words. All his life
he had worked hard. and had little
time for pleasure ana none for fir
tation. Woman nature was to him an
undiscovered country Yet his heart
leaped. as this girl said to him In her
musiSai voice, isn't IL fine2'
He wished that he might reply
easily. but he only blashed and went
on. Some instinct made him turn.
however, TO see the girl struggling to
keep her balance. The heavy sweep
of the wind and the slant of the deck
Mas too much for her. and before he
could reach her she rell. He picked
her up TO find her laughing. 40 you
still think II Is fine" he ged
TO say.
TITS great was her response. The
wilder ii is the more / love it.
His spirit seemed to eSnlt with hers.
In all his life he had never known
such a sense OF triumphant freedom
AS he now experienced. The work
a-day world seemed miles away.
We had better go In he gasped.
but She said No"
Il hate il in that stufYy cabin" was
her explanation when she could make
herself heard. Did You hear me sing
ing p was her further question in
another inter mission
Yes. what was 1t -
The Ril6 hawk 10 the wind swept
SKY
The deer 70 the lonesome world. '''
she crooued
tio on" be said hreathlessIy.
But nov the storm was upon them
10 fun force
Within the cabin anfoided from
the rug she showed herself a slim
creature In blue serge gown Back
again IN conventional surrounding
Granger once more lost his tongue
lie bowed and left her. That night
al DINNER size ~as next 10 him at the
table. i asked for this seat. sne
said frankly. You saved me from
the storm perhaps YOU may save
me" she stopped ana as he looked
down ut her in surprise
II there Is anything / can do' ht
said. YOU must let me know" But
she was laughing again, gay ana
radiant.
That night, as he stood late alone
on deck watching the moon hoai
through the ragged clouds. she came
to him all pale and trem bling
Perhaps | am all wrong" she said,
ito ask you. bat somehow / feel that
you can he trusted VIII you keep
these for me-" She pat into his hand
q little box. They are my pearls,
she whispered. 'heirlooms in our fam
lily. My cousin who is with me thinks
they should have been given to her,
She has told the captain that / am
Ill and not responsible, SO II / give
them TO him he viii take them 10 her.
But I am perfectly we'll and they are
mine"
Granger was practical man OF
business I'm keep them he said
promptly. and give them 70 you Just
before We leave the boat
Thank YOU" she said, and left him
lie was glad that she had furnished
him reason fer intimacy. AT the
breakfast table the next morning he
watched the cousin and found her a
cold sort of person