The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-05-17
The Ball at Sea
n \ y
By ANNA WOODWARD

I was the costume OF the Arab chief.
He determined to seek out Iris for
the first dance, but before his end OF
the procession had completed the sec
ond turn of the deck the band had
struck up and he perceived that the
pretty water carrier was already the
partner of the prince. He found
chair next to her sister, who declared
herself too old to dress up or to dance.
and sat there rather moodily watching
the brilliant scene.
After all 1t was not much fun to
dance on the floor which at every roll
of the ship changed its angles and
least of all with girl who seemed to
have forgotten the fact of his exist
ence. In two days she would get of
at Colombo and this special friend
ship which had been so delightful,
might as well end tonight as few
nights later-yet, as matter OF form,
he would ask her for a second waltz.
But the interval ended, the second
waltz began and Iris had not returned
to her chaperon.
THE prince promised to show her
the southern cross, which will appear
tonight for the first time" said her
sister. 1T was rather long lesson
in astronomy" she remarked a little
rebukingly, when Iris made her ap-
pearance at the end OF the second in
terval.
Iris looked radiant. and he put his
pride In his pocket and determined to
beg for the third dance, but before he
could rise from his chair the first Of
flcer had come up to claim her. He
watched her furtlvely, determined she
should not have the qualification OF
knowing that he was even aware OF
her presence.
How Iris enjoys herself" said her
sister. And you-are not dancing to-
night?"
Not tonight" he said. 81 am weary,
and shall turn In early"
] Nevertheless. he remained watch
Ing the dance. and each time that Iris
ed as If by magic to take her away.
All the evening they had not ex-
changed word.
He turned to her sister. When the
ball is over we will have claret cup
and sandwiches here" he suggested.
He was feeling restles and unhappy.
The evening, which might have been
so delightful, had been wasted; he
had been badly treated; he had been
deliberately sighted; but what he felt
most, he said to himself, was the dis
covery that Iris was like every other
! girl; that II she had not flirted with
the prince and the first officer. with all
the officers and all the eligible men on
board, 1t was because she had been
having fun at his expense. He lash
ed himself into fury.
The band had already begun to put
away their instruments. Deck hands
were taking down the Chinese lanterns
and still Iris did not appear.
A storm of jealousy swept over him.
! at all events should not be found
sitting there waiting she should
greciously return. He got up has
tily. pleading headache. and went be
low.
II was the first time since the voy
age started that he had not said good
night" to Iris.
After 20 minutes he was conscious
of suffering unbearably. He went or
deck again. hoping to see her; the
lights were turned out; the deck de
sert ed.
The next morning he was on deck
soon after six There was, of course
no chance that she would be visible
before nine: but the mere fact of be-
ing up and dressed seemed to bring
her nearer to him.
His own anxiety now was to see her
10 explain everything. to apologize. to
beg her forgiveness.
| He was amazed to see Iris advanc-
+ ing toward him. 1t was still very
early; sailors were washing down the
decks. one or two men in paiamas
and dressing gowns were taking cxer-
else before their bath.
Their eyes met while they we're still
some distance apart and. moved BY the
same instinct, both turned.
Il was inevitable, however. that they
should meet on the other side OF the
ueck iris greeted him almost timidly.
The radiance of the previous evening
had vanished, there was tenderness In
h eyes. gentleness in her voice.
81 could not Sleep" she said. 81
rose early to see Minekoi"
He noticed for the first time the
beautiful coral island. the cleaning
white beach and the waving line OF
cocoanut palms that seemed floating
on the blue.
at is a dangerous place." he said.
Three or four ships have some
times been wrecked there at the same
time"
I'VE at least have run no risks"
she said.
About last night" he began. and
stopped.
She gave him radiant smile.
III | deserved 1t you punished ne"
he said. And you looked so beauti-
full"
Last night we were masquerading, :
she said.
81 have decided, like you. to spend 1
fortnight at Colombo"
1T Is decision we must celebrate
sh, said, by having breakfast togeth
er. My sister will not be up for hours
And we can so on with our converse
ton where you ended yesterday. 'Jeal
ousy is. OF course, an unpardonahl,
emotion Go on"
III It is carried over from one da!
to another" he ended. Come. there
goes the bugle for breakfast"