The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-06-13

v received q reply to her note.
But Southmayd was not a man to
be easily discouraged. Since the be-
ginning of his correspondence court
ship he had got his business affairs
into such shape that be might leave
them for a short period. He determin-
ed that. If he made another engage
ment. rather than have his bride elect
risk the fascination of a sea voyage
he would go to her. This vas the re-
suit of his experience with his first
iancee. confirmed by the information
he had derived from the purser. He
had not before been aware that the
sexes, thrown together within the nar-
row compass of a ship. during Il voy-
age were so liable to be brought down
by the tender passion. He had sup
posed that most of them were victims
of seasickness. and. as for himself,
when in that condition Venus herself
would have no attraction for him. But
he firmly resolved that he would never
take the same risk a second time.
In time a letter came from his old
friend. Stephen Courtney. Stephen
expressed his regret that Ernest had
suffered such a disappointment. and
there was really nothing else to be
said in the premises. Stephen went on
to say that he felt it incumbent on
him-and his sister had suggested it
that he should find his friend a girl to
take the place of the one who had dis
appointed him. Stephen had married.
and he gave a broad hint that he
thought his wife's sister would fill the
bill. Southmayd was ready to catch
at anything to heal his wound. The
result was that a correspondence was
arranged similar to the last one. ex-
cept in this case. the object being from
the first more definitely understood.
the period was shorter. In due time
the lady. Miss Alice Hathaway. con-
sented tt the nuptials. Southmayd
wrote that he would go to America to
claim his bride. But Miss Hathaway
replied that she wished to procure her
rousseau abroad and would prefer to
meet him in Paris and marry him
there.
Southmayd did not like to risk his
fancee even for a passage of the At
lantic ocean,. but couldn't very we'll
tell her that he had so little faith in
her. So he assented to her plan. AS
he was preparing to start he received
word from her that she had changed
her plans and was sailing on the
Mediterranean trip for Naples. This
was a greater risk than he had bar
gained for. the distance to be Travelled
being greater, and. the, weather on this
route being usually balmy, there would
be more opportunity for flirting. But
there was no way to call a halt. and
he set sail to meet his bride.
1t is quite a voyage from Hongkong
to Naples. and a great deal TRANSFERRED
before %Southmayd reached the latter
point. He was to meet. his bride ut
the - hotel. and soon after going
ashore he called upon her. The meet
ing was constrained on both sides. 1t
did not seem that either was disap-
pointed in the other. but there was
nothing especially cordial. Certainly
not lover-like between them, But love
was hardly to be expected by two per-
sons who had not met before. After
some ten minutes Of interchange of
commonplace remarks Southmayd said
bluntly: .-.
"You do not seem especially pleased
to meet me. There is something on
your understanding concealed. /
trust l am not about to hear that you
h,ro Loor rhov,,;o1 an tl,o vovouov
mot married. but l presume | may
as we'll confess now us later. | cannot
marry you"
Are you disappointed in mey"
.'By no means. Had you come for
me l should have married you willing
'ly. AS it is. on the steamer coming
OUT
II knew it. On the steamer coming
out you met a gentleman who walked
the deck with you. sat by you in a
steamer chair. read bits Of romance or
poetry t you. leaned over the forward
rail in the moonlight when the ship
was bounding over the pillows. You
placed your hand on the rail to steady
yourself. His hand fell upon yours.
You.
How do you know all this?" she In
terrupted.
How do I know 1t? Because have.
just been through the same experience
myself. On the steamer between Hong
kong and the canal | fell in with a
lady as you fell in with this gentleman.
The moon that shone on you and him
shone on me and this lady. laid my
hand on herssand''-
Enough. Are you engaged or mar
lried::'
Married. When I found that I must
yield to the fascination Of an cea
trip with a beautiful woman and at
the end OF. the yoyage,face one to whom
was already pledged ! made up my
mind to have II over with before left
the ship and face you already as a.
married man"
The lady stood staring at him for a
few moments, then said: ~ q
whats the matter with the ocean.
anyway. that It plays with Us thusY'
Ell a - s.-S 49, SNN1n~f