Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-09-27

She wns leaning against the rail.
ing gazing wistfully down upon the
sea Of faces on the landing. De-
spite her thirty years there was some
thing girlish in her shrinking figure
suggestion Of the incipient emotions
Of youth. She descended to her state
room. At the door she found the
stewardess, who inquired II she was
Mrs. L. Smith.
"Thnt is my name, and am going
to be ILL.,"
Lie down mt once. And about this
bag? thought it would give You
more space II put it In the gentle
mans ROOM"
Lucy Smith looked up in mystifica.
ton. "But 1t is mine" she explained,
"and I want it."
The next day, she struggled up and
left her stateroom, the stewardess
following with her wraps. At the
foot Of the stairs she swayed and fell
upon the lowest step. "It's no use,"
she said, plaintivcly. .'T can't 60 up
Il can't, indeed"
The stewardess spoke with profess
sional encouragement. "Oh, you're
all right" she demonstrated. Here's
the gentleman now, he'll help you"
Someone lifted her. and in 4 mo-
ment she was on deck and In her
chair.
Perhaps you would like yesterdays
paper?" said a voice.
The man In the next chnir leaned
toward her, holding a paper in his
| hand.
Il am ILL.," she answered.
He did not reply, md In a moment
his glance wandered to the card upon
her chair. "Odd, isn't it." he ques-
toned.
She followed his gaze and colored
family. The card read, "Mrs. L.
Smith" Then he pointed to similar
rough scrawl. the name IL Smith,"
1T is a very common name," she re-
marked absently.
He laughed. Every" he admitted.
"Perhaps your husband is Lawrence
Smith also"
The smile passed from her lips.
my husband Is Dead" she an
swered, "but his name was Lucien."
For time they sat silent. Then,
as the luncheon gong sounded he rose.
"You will have chicken BROTH" he
sold distinctly.
A little later the broth was brought.
That evening they lay side by side
In their steamer chairs. He was saz-
ing out to sea. where the water broke
into waves Of deepening gray. Sud-
denly he spoke, his voice ringing like
a Earring dlscord In q harmonious
whole.
"Five days ago man chilled me q
devil" he said. 'and guess he wasn't
far wrong: only II was a single devil
he was legion STEPPED In one. What
scoundrel he VAST
The passion in his tones caused her
to start quickly. The words were shot
out with the force Of balls from can.
non. "Don't." she said pleadingly.
"Don't what?" he demunded rough
~. "Don't curse the blacklist scoun.
1rel that ever livel-and died?"
'Don't curse anybody" she an.
swered. ut is not like you"
II never had much use for belief"
he returned. 1T Is q poor sort of
hing"
She met his bitter gaze with one Of
level calm. "And yet men have SUI
Tered death for it."
swell, believe in me II you choose"
he said.
"How about your fath?' he in
luired one day after passing tender
ness. els it still the evidence Of vir-
tues not visible In met"
She flinched, as she always did at
his fiippancy. THAT IL not kind OF
.yOu." she said.
"But, my dear lady. am not kind"
| Her mouth quivered.
| "Do you mean to say" he asked. adj
justing the rug about her shoulders,
.that 1t makes any difference to your"
The fragment of q sob broke from
her. "Of course 1t makes q differ
.nce." she answered.
His face was very grave. The hand
upon her shoulder trembled. II hope
lit does not make a difference" he
. said. Look! There Is sail! :"
| They rose and went to the railing.
following with strainins eyes white
| sail that skirted the horizon.
He leaned nearer. His hand
brushed hers as 1t lay upon the rail-
ing.
| Ibid love make you happy?"
l She raised her lnshes. Lover
"That husband of yours" he ex-
planned almost harshly. did you love