Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-01
A Song Of
SixpenCe
Continued from, page 80

That was the beginning academia
beginning if you wish. But it partially ex
plains how on the following Saturday even.
ing Amy came to be sitting under the aft
awning of Ransome' yacht while he droned
out longwinded tales of his cruises and adj
ventures aboard the yacht which was BY
this time in the broad Sound, headed east
The breeze of the afternoon had stirred up a
tumult of short, Choppy waves, which broke
in masses of creamy white foam against the
yachts sides, without in any way affecting
her steadlness. They were running now at
over sixteen miles an hour, and the girl sank
back into her luxurious seat, feeling that tC
her this life was real; that here she belonged
that all else had been but preparatory to her
time for coming into her own.
Emmy, realizing the Importance of the
occasion, had done some careful shopping
during the week, with the result that Mr.
Ransome had no reason to feel ashamed OF
his guest. White shoes, a stylish white linen
suit, Panama hat with gay scarf about
1t, veil and parasol made the girl look SO
stunnlngly beautiful that people had paused
on the sidewalks and turned to gaze after her
Emmy's outfit had cost her ninety dol
lars, bat she was a gambler by instinct, and
it consoled her to think that considerably
over half of the life insurance money still Law
untouched in the bank
Dinner, served at seven o'clock, like
the luncheon, had been delicious, from its
clam cocktails to its Benedictine and coffee.
Emmy did full justice to it-for the salt air
had made her hungry.
Ransome drew his chair close to Emmv's
and settled himself nervously. Presently he
~ha1 81 L.
below" he said, quickly 1.-THE night air
may give you a cold"
Emmy looked at him curiously. 81 love
it, she said "I'd much rather stay here. -
Ransome pressed her fingers, his face
twitching with suppressed excitement.
" Come on" he said, lets go below. |
want to show you my stateroom."
Again Emmy swept him with curious
glance. What do you mean, Mr.. Ran
some?" she inquired, coldly.
: mean that | want you" He leaned
over and grasped her wrists. "We're all
alone here. Come" He rose and tried to
draw her toward the companionway.
Don't let's waste our evening sitting here.
Come with me. It'll be all right, he urged,
noting her resentment. "Ill pay the price,
whatever it is" eleered at her amorously.
Emmy drew away from him. II don t
understand you, Mr.. Ransome," she said.
I'm quite comfortable where am"
"Oh, come on. Don't be fool" He
again grasped her arm and attempted to
drag her from the chair. Lets make the
most of our time. Well have to turn back
soon.
Emmy struggled to her feet, white with
anger. 1t Infatuated her to think that he
should estimate her SO cheaply, especially
since she had given him no reason for doing
SO. He misinterpreted her intention in ris-
ing and threw both arms about her, striving
to press her to him. She wrenched herself
free, and, picking up heavy glass decanter
from the table, faced him. "If YOU touch
me again, Mr.. Ransome, she said, her voice
trembling with rage, 81 believe I'll kill you!''
Ransome drew back, with an oath Then
he stopped You beauty" he said raptur-
ously "You beauty" and regarded her in
admiring silence. Certainly she was a strik-
ing picture, her hair disarranged, her cheeks
flushed, her eyes flashing in the half light
Something in the fighting blood of the man
some responsive chord, was struck by her
tiger-like defence of herself Suddenly she
let the decanter slip from her grasp onto the
table, and, hinging herself into a chair,
buried her face in her hands and burst into
tears. Undeniably it was the psychological
moment. Bernhardt herself could not have
played the scene better. Nor by this is il 10
be understood that Emmy was acting. Her
tears were tears OF disappointment rage
She feared that Ransome was now lost e
her forever.
In chis She made a pardonabe mistake
l.. L