The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-11
ANOTHER
GIRL
copyright. 1917. by Associated Literary Press)
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

interested glance upon his fellow pas
sengers. For the time being, his po-
sition as newly engaged man, hung
heavily on his shoulders. Helen Dan
vers. his fiancee, had been on the pier
and as the boat pulled away leaving
only the murky water between her and
the man of her choice, Helen's piquant
face had found a fearful nest in the
bit of lacy cambria which served as a
handkerchief.
Still, as the day wore on Jimmy
cheered up. 1t seemed to him that he
had never before crossed the briny
deep on so wonderfully laden ship.
In cornpanionways, in the library, in
the bow of the boat and in the stern
he seemed destined to meet fragments
from the feminine world and each bit
booked prettier than the last For a
moment Jim Murphy felt aggrieved;
his allegiance to Helen Danvers shut
him off from any shipboard romance
| a heretofore much enjoyed privilege
of the ocean voyage.
1t was at dinner that the blow came.
He was in the act of giving his order
to the steward when that individual
rushed TO the assistance of the girl
| who had been assigned to the seat
next to his own. After one glance at
| her, Murphy realized that, had he been
| a steward, his actions would have
been the same.
Il am afraid | interrupted your or
der" The girl looked into Murphys
| eyes. The heart of the engaged man
quaked. The girl was beautiful.
After you" Murphy's tone was
reserved to the point of unfriendli
ness
| The girl cast quick glance at him
then turned to contemplate the menu
| Murphy felt that he had been thrown
from her regard much as she would
| discard an unpleasing bit of fabric 1t
was too much for Iimmie's knowledge
of the JOY of living He turned to her
with smile that Shone from his
| heart
Please forgive my seeming rude
ness" he said with a full measure of
| friendlinCss in his eyes Il am a trife
| peevish-there are the iolliest lot of
| pretty girls on this boat that have
| ever crossed with and feel afraid of
all OF them "
| Molly Sherwell laughed and glanced
| questioningly at Murphy
! II would not have selected you as
one fearful of feminine wiles.'
But | am engaged"
| oh"
1t seemed for a second that the very
engines stopped their vibrations; then
the girl spoke again
That does make considerable diff
| ference" She paused while queer
| little shadow fitted across her face.
| Il believe that |. too, would be afraid
to cross the ocean with some Jolly
men on board If | owed allegiance to
| one in particular. Ocean liners seem
to be the embodiment of the old time
sorceress-I feel sure that she at least
Yields her wand over them all"
| The wand of infatuation-onl ?"
| Jimmy Murphy but half expected AN
answer
"lnfatuation is exactly the word"
laughed Molly Il have crossed the
ocean nine times and on every trip
fell madly in love"
And the mem" Murphy put the
| question quickly, eagerly DESTROYS of
| knowing the outcome.
Three of them wanted me to marry
them; the others We're merely the ef-
feet of moonlight, the tapping of the
waves and leisure hours spent in
closely set steamer chairs"
And you?' Again the eager ques-
ton.
81? Well-as soon as my feet touch
the wharf | am as heart-free as if |
had never seen a boat"
] OH
| Jimmy Murphy was silent for so
| long a time that his companion broke
into a soft laugh. Surely you are not
| going to have many more such serious
and profound moments during this
/ trip?
| Il will tell you exactly what | was
thinking-if you care to know" Muir
| ply turned so that he met her startled
| glance. do you?"
| No" she put in quickly
| II shall tell you, anyway When
you interrupted my thoughts | had
| just conquered a desire to make you
care for me-your attitude made me
| desire a siege In which you would be
the victim-but my better nature won
out and" Murphy laughed lightly
Then | have missed rather anus
ing game-haven't T."
Jim Murphy's lips shut tight Molly
| Sherwell cast a glance at him and felt
satisfied. Flippant remarks would
have to bridge many a chasm with
this man and she hoped that her in
j consequent moods would never be far
from her command
| Since you are heartless and | am
engaged we are certainly well guarded
i against the wiles of the ocean-will
you walk on deck with me now? /
| insist on being friends-friendsh ship is
| great between a man and a woman,
| isn't it,"
| Molly left the question unanswered
Il was the tenth day, and on the
| morrow Queenstown and all that the
| word meant would be with the pas
sengers of the Marion. In the evening.
the last night on board, Molly Sher-
| well and Jim Murphy paced a moonlit
| deck.
| This has been the most pleasant
| of my trips" II was the girl who
| spoke. For once. the voyage has