The Washington herald., 1915-02-01
DAILY SHORT STORY.
HER TRIP.
By OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON.

Copyright. lglS)
Don met them at the train-Lorraine,
her mother and father. 1t seemed CEN
turtles since he had seen her. Lorraine,
Of course, although It had been but two
weeks since she had gone away.
The parting had been full Of forebod-
ing for Don. Such trip was sure to be
prolific in young men. At home 1t was
bad enough, and Don had to have the
prowess Of a gladiator and the cunning
Of a Chinaman to keep these unwelcome
attaches from bobbing up constantly. To
make things more ominous, Lorraine had
Intimated before leaving that Signorina
IIotta had foretold tantalizingly vague
things of a tall young man with brown
eyes and dark hair. This was thorns
and nettles to Don, whose eyes were
gray and hair a decided auburn
He now searched her face anXiously.
Had the dark young man materialized
In the fortnight's vacation? There was
nothing there to tell. Lorraine was as
sweet and smiling-and baffling-as ever.
He sighed. One might just as well try to
analyze the feelings OF the Sphynx with
its secret eternal. He had hoped for a
little extra welcoming light in her violet
eyes some sign that the two weeks away
from him had been long and lonely. But
although Lorraine's greeting was all
that could be desired as to cordiality
and friendliness, 1t smacked too largely
of the dear, big brother variety. There
was almost the same brand for Bridget
and Prince at the house.
He was asked to stay to dinner and
accepted gratefully. He had a dogged
determination not to leave until he had
verified, or dissipated, his fears
Two things favored him-the moon and
the arrival of the preacher. The back
yard swing soon had two occupants.
Lorraine suddenly became talkative
The whole thing was heavenly, Don.
From the minute We left until just now"
''ThanksT'
You're welcome. grouchy! I'd think
you'd be glad to see me back. Instead.
you've been glooming around like fu-
neral. Well I'm going to tell you all
about it anyway. I've just got to tell
some one. Do you remember about Sig
norma Lotta-all she said about dark
man and everything"
NO" killing a mosquito. What did
she say? Surely you don't believe the
rot a fortune teller gets off?''
"Oh, but do. 1t all came true; al
most every word OF it. You see, It was
this way" gazing rapturously at the
moon. when we got to Baltimore the
city was all decorated for the big CEN
tennial There were flags and emblems
and lights and-well, anyway. II looked
very nice After We had seen the dec
orations and all that. dad wanted to go
on a battleship. So We took a car and
went down to the place where you get
boats and got on a greasy little motor
boat that went lame and made an awful
noise"
well, where does the fellow come imp
Just wait, Mr.. Impatient. I'm coming !
to that When we got within speaking |
distance Of one of the big gray battle |
ships they wouldn't let US on. 1t was |
dinner time or mess or something like !
that
'-sh! I'm coming to that! Then we
limped across the bay to another whop- |
ping man-of-war that made you feel all
glorious and patriotic"
But when"
"Be quiet! I'm coming to him soon.
They let us on that one. We went up a
funny little pair OF stairs they lowered
over the side of the boat. You'd never |
think you were going on one Of those |
awful boats that can blow up a whole |
town. And the gunsi You just ought to |
see the guns, and the turrets and"
But what has your brown-eyed friend |
to do with"
For goodness sake, be quiet. Don. |
You're worse than Prince barking for a
bone! Where was IL On, yes. Inc guns. |
Well, mother and I were looking all
around everywhere. not able to believe |
that all that gray. plain-looking stun |
was armor plate a couple Of feet thick. /
Dad had wandered of by himself and in
a few minutes he came back with the
talIest. handsomest, darlingest brown |
eyed
Don coughed painfully behind his hand. |
= Poor boyI What a cold! Well. as I
was saying. dad came back with the
taIlest, hand"
81 heard you first time"
"Oh, did you? Well, he was. And he
treated us Just lovely. He took us lots
Of places other people weren't allowed
to go, for he was an officer. His uniform
was gr-r-a-a-nd. He had come up from
Annapolis with the midshipmen for the
parade on shore in the afternoon
And when we were ready to go ashore
be took US in one OF the ships boats that
was just leaving.
Then, afterward. Lieut.. Ericson-that
was his name-got us splendid seats for
the parade on one OF the reviewing
stands. The parade was gorgeous Army
and navy. you know; and he was In II