Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1912-01-26
THE MORNING|
AFTER |
By JANE LUDLUM LEE


two whole days and every time l
turned l found Mr.. Warner somewhere
very near me. Not that I minded
very much. I was too much of a
woman for that. l had just come up
from breakfast and was strolling
about the deck when I was greeted
with CHEEKY Good morning" and
together we drifted over to spot on
the boat where the electrician was
trying to find out just what was the
matter with the Marconi. Occasion
ally it would buzz and burr and sparks
would fly out, but no message could
be received We left the man at his
work and sought more secluded cor
ner.
"Mrs. Lawrence, do you mind if I
ask you a personal question:"
Anything but my age. The purser
asked me that this morning, and
don't want to i5 twice in the same
day"
ooh, l don't want to know how old
you are. l don't care, but I'd like to
know how long you have been a
widow"
you silly person. I've never yet
been married. My name is Miss, not
Mrs. Lawrence, and I'm in mourning
for my father"
For two days after that Mr.. Warner
was more than ever with me and when
we landed at Newfoundland for a
days stopover, 1t was foregone con-
clusion that we should go sightseeing
together. We took long walk out on
the cliffs and sat dreaming for a few
moments when my companion broke
the silence.
wait any longer to tell you something
and this is such a beautiful spot that
l want you to listen to me, here!"
We'll, I'm all attention, only please
don't tell me anything l ought not to
know"
After all it is not so much what
want to tell you, but that / want to
ask you something"
please make it something very
easy, won't you, like good fellow"
"Oh, please don't be frivolous.
want to tell you that L"
Just at this instant the awful voice
of one of our shipmates chimed in.
"And l want to tell you that We have
found you out. Why. you amt sick
at ALL"
l had declined to go driving with
her earlier in the day, pleading illness
murmured something about feeling
better.
"Ain't 1t nice we have all met" con
tinued Mrs. Jackson. Now we can all
go home together"
We did and the afternoon was thus
spoiled. I hated that Jackson woman
hated verybody-except one or two
My mood softened later in the even
| ing, however, when the moon came VI
and Mr.. Warner suggested that we
| walk I'D to the fortress on the hill
| There on the hill overlooking the
beautiful harbor, with the stars ant
| moon for my sentinels / heard the
dear old story, and as ! felt his strong
arms around me I knew that loved
him.
Sleep came to me slowly that night
but finally / was far off in a dream
only to be wakened by voices outside
my portfolio / looked out and saw
a face clearly defined in the brigh
moonlight. Suddenly realized that 1
was Mr.. Warner, and yet his expires
sion was SO anxious that tried to per
suade myself that was dreaming
still, and turned over once more to
troubled sleep.
In the midst of breakfast that morn
ing there was sudden commotion OF
deck. when the captain appeared Il
the doorway and said:
"The Marconi is working, that's all.
Then, in an undertone to me, h
added, MAY l have word with you?
| Drawing me to one side, he asked
"Was Mr.. Warner a friend Of yours?
| "He not only was. but Is" ] ar
3wered with dignity.
| eWell, my dear, he is no more. w
have Just received a Marcon1 iron
Glace Bay that he is Simeon Alexar
der, q forger. who has escaped. H
was seen walking on the lower dec
last night and has not been seen since
Guess he chose q watery grave"
| With that the captain left me, and
stood dazed, while through my dizz
brain rushed the events Of yesterda
and that face in the moonlight The
suddenly another commotion, and II
stinctively / rushed toward where tn
crowd had congregated. To my hol
ror, and yet delight, there stood Nj
Warner.
'May l ask II you are Simeon Ale1
ander," asked the captain.
mo, am not, but no moro N
Aaonnndor WaEnne.