The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-20
ZW EVENING stony

III Inc nEWxW6 y1ORY
Captain SCOTS Caution.
(By Molly McMaster.)
Nida was on her way to meet the
man who had been selected by two
families as her future husband. She
was not especially excited nor did she
feel even a tinge Of romance. Nida
had come to the conclusion that one
man would suit her matrimonially
about as we'll as another.
II will no doubt like Philip and get
on as amicably with him as I would
with others whom I have met"
Nida was very young to have
formed SO unsentimental q thought.
yet out Of the numerous men she had
made the blood quicken in her veins
or brought a droop to her lashes.
Marriage did not exactly appeal to
her, but she felt 1t more or less Of q
duty. It was clearly out Of duty to
her parents that she was on tho great
liner Rolympia bound for Queenstown
and thence to Belfast. It was in Bel
fast that Nida was to meet Philip.
Rather than cross from Liverpool
in the smaller boats Nida had board
ed the Rolympia with the passengers
booked to New York.
As the ship ploughed out through
the Mersey and along the rugged
Welsh coast Nida wished with all her
might that she were one of those for
tunate passengers who would not
have to get on in the tender at
Queenstown. but could continue over
to New York. Never had she been
able to afford the long ocean trip,
much as she loved the water.
When the sea began to rise angrily
Nida heard voice at her side say:
IF this weather continues We will not
town. I crossed once before when
there were thirty Of them left to sail
on q later boat"
Nida caught q swift breath. For
the second her blood seemed to stop
in its course. mot stop at Ireland!
ImpoBible!"
And yet that was exactly what hap
pened. Capt. Scott refused to risk
three thousand lives and his own rep
utation for cautious sailing. There
was q heavy sea and there was far too
much danger to attempt to transfer
either people or mail from the ten
der to the Rolympia. Nor could rage
or tears dissuade Capt. Scott from his
sense of safety.
In consequence there were fifty-odd
Infatuated persons waiting at the quay
in Queenstown. their luggage in many
instances having gone aboard the
Rolympta at Liverpool Also, there
were perhaps ten persons who would
have to cross the ocean when they
had embarked for the short trip to
Queenstown.
Nida was at first completely unset.
When she learned Of the nine others
on board who were in the same pre-
dicament, and some Of them giving
way to towering rage. Nfda began to
see the humor as we'll as the un-
doubted joy Of the experience. She.
who could not possibly have taken an
ocean voyage on her limited financea
was being taken over to New York
as the guest Of the Rolympia. The
| company would be compelled to nav
her way back. NidA smiled. She
happened to be standing by the young
man who had predicted the nonstop
| ping of the boat.
1T IL amusine-isn't it," he hax-
arded by way Of beginning the ship
board friendliness, ''but mighty touxh
on those who are stung!"
Stung!" murmured Nida question
inely.
LEFT behind" explained the man.
whom Nida found extremely good to
| look upon. She laughed.
II am one OF them" she said n.av.,v
and am 50 deiishtsd I could dance and
sinn right here on the deckr.
| ny JoVS. NOS CnAt right? Have yo1
his temples. when he saw the pinF IN
Midas cheeks. ..I was going to say" he
added quickly. s'that It IS yofng to Be cold
crossing" He paused q moment while ia
clear eyes swept Nida from head to foot
II am taking my ulster . bunch Of clothes
from Paris and London-could you-r'
Nida more or less embarrassed. 4
fortunately have . large Gladstone bar
'well-if you require . coat-r have n
dandy fur one for Sis" He glanced ne
the soft bronze Of Midas hair ana con-
tinued as 4 in appeal to her vanity. ''It
IKE . bunch Of Tioting sunbeams above
Nlda blushed outright and James outh-
f1e smiled. Somehow he could not feel
that the slip Of . girl beside him vas
other than An old friend. Perhaps II was
her lack Of = protector that made him
tn. wistfu1 charm Of Midas smile.
Have you any one to whom you want
to send . WireleSs?'' he asked With
thoughtful uromptn9oS.
/ M family and man whom expect
to marry are waiting for mo In oueens-
town." admitted Nida- 'sBut they viii
know the circumstances by this time"
sase anyWny" Guthrie suggested.
/ And when Nida had compiled he went
| OF ana she was left to ruminste ON the
strange destlnies OF human be1nEs She
was not left long alone either At the mo-
ment Or THROUGH the voyaee. James
ooeed to Ma The fesrth day out ehe