Evening star., 1919-05-04
RlSF1

ward. to disappear mysteriousIy into
the bowels OF the ship. People were
hurrying to and fro, and there was
much kissing and handshaking.
William suddenly awoke to the dis
NAL fact that he was dreadfully alone.
In all his busy years this thought had
never before come home to him so
keenly. There was not soul in all
the wide world who really cared what
became of him, where he went what
he did, or how he died. Burns was
all right, and so We're the boys over
at the engine-house, but they lacked
something. He had no regret in leav-
Ing them; he would have no real Joy
in returning to them. He eyed with
envy the noisy, excited groups of the
happy family (see Cooks folders).
These groups were made up of pill
grims coming down from small cities,
country towns. farms. west and mid
die west. They were making the trip
in dozens and double dozens: and
shortly they would build little glass
topped walls around themselves, and
woe betide the trespassed, especially
If he happened to be a red-headed,
lonesome guy named William Grogan.
He fell back upon his innate philos-
ophy. All his life he had been jog
ging along on his own. Why worry
over this bunch of male and female
fossils? He was here to see the
world; and if he made any friend
ships these would be by-products
purely. After all, old Mother Han
lon would be glad to see him back.
And wouldn't the rest of the bunch
sit UP and take notice when he be-
gan to gabfest! when l was in
Hongkong licked four chinks one
night" Think Of starting the fire in
that offhand manner
All at once he remembered why he
had gone down into the shed and
taken his place by the gangplank., He
wanted to see if that girl came on
board alone. He hoped she would
She looked too nice to be mixed UP
in anything shady. Funny thing, he
unused, how you could spot a woman
who was off color. You couldn't give
your reasons; there wasn't any way
OF explaining it; you just knew, that
was all. This girl didn't look tho
part and that was all there was to it.
She came into view at length. He
sighed relievedly. There was no one
with her. Lonesome kind like him
self. She walked confidently to the
gangplank. looking neither right nor
left Her face was lighted by sud
dued eagerness; there was neither
anxiety in her eyes nor dissatisfac-
tion on her lips. William dropped in
behind her, rather automatically.
A we'll dressed men. fat suit case
in each hand crowded past him rude
ly. William stretched out OBTAINING
hand. none the less powerful because
the nails shone pinkly.
Say. bo, why the unseemly haste"
Beg pardon." mumbled the Offend
er, none too politely, as he wrenched
himself loose and went on.
"Well. il that guys with u.s."
. thought william. how we're going
to love each other by the time we
get to Bombay! For nickel"
M-m-m-m doomed the whistle.
William ducked instinctively. and
hurried on board.
Nothing the matter with the old
lady's lungs. That was some 1901!
We'll, I guess this is goodbye to little
New York. See YOU later"
AS the ship drew out into the river
he stood in the waist, watching the
men close the hatches He CHANGED
to look up toward the promenade
deck. A young woman was. in the
act Of crossing from starboard to
port. The first thing that came into
his range of vision was pair OF
twinklng tan shoes. This range Of
vision. be it noted, was identical to
that he had from his cellar window.
His heart gave great bound His
school teacher was on board.
Chapter Nv.