The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-20
E0ening Story
A Quest Rewarded.
BY FREDERICK HART.

plei"
Donald Cameron and his companion
were lounging idly against the rail at
the end of the promenade deck OF the
steamer Touraine, idly watching the
motley crowd in the Storage. 1t was
a calm day, with bright sunshine and
a clear sky, and the inhabitants of the
lower deck had taken advantage of the
fine weather to air themselves.
"A group was doing an intricate folk
dance to the music of a wheezy ac-
feordion played by a swarthy chap who
sat on an upturned chest; the women,
brightly CARRIED in native costume,
were exchangins gossip in their own
language; and the many children
crawled and ran and skipped about
very dirty and perfectly contented.
Donald Cameron's companion. a man
of about Cameron's own age, had been
inspired to his comment as he watch
ed the immigrants at their sports
ssThey are a queer crowd agreed
Cameron. But there are some pretty
looking specimens among theul/ Look
at-the muscles on that big fellow! Hes
giant. And there are some mighty
good looking girls among them, too.
BY George-what's going on now?
The two men looked at group
which had gathered about woman
| in a shawl which she had wrapped
around her head, hiding her features:
several men who had come up to her
and were apparently trying to get her
to join them in their dance. She
shook her head obstinately and re-
fused to go.
the influence of liquor Ono drinks are
allowed in the steerage, out the pas
sengers always seem to manage 10 get
some somehowJ, insisted. She tried
to draw away from them, and one, a
burly fellow with teroclous Dldcn
noustache. caught at her shawl ana
drew IT from her head. Donald Cam
eron caught. his breath at the beauty
Of the face thus revealed, the s1nal
features were as regular ana cIedItS
c,t as a cameo, the skin was falr, ana
the eyes, big and appealing, were OF
wonderful liquid brown
r. As he watched the big man seized
+he girl by the arm and tried to ora"
| hey to him She struck his face. En-
ragged. he poured out torrent OF IAN
e1Iage and brutaIly caught her ABOUT
the waist. For a moment her big dark
ewes wildly sought aid of any one VINO
vas near. and in that sweeping glance
thew encountered those of Donald
Cameron. No man could resist that
with the agility derived from four
years on college football team
! Cameron swung himself over the low
below. A fierce right swing sent the
swarthy assailant Keeling back. One OF
his comrades came to his assistance
Cameron laid him out with scientiflc
| left Sab.
But the steerage was aroused, and
| things might have gone hard with him
had not several members of the crew
rushed TO his assistance. While they
were herding the infuriated men away
Cameron led the girl, who by this time
had recovered her shawl. to the ladder
! leading to the upper deck and con-
Quoted he to safety.
The steamer chair next to his was
vacant and he led her there. oblivious
/ OF the curious stares of the other
saloon passengers, who had hurried aft
attracted by the noise of the fight.
When she was seated he was amazed
to hear her say in perfect English:
'You have saved my life-I cannot
thank you'll can only say that you
are the bravest man I have ever
known"
| Cameron grew red,
please don't think of saying any
thing. had to do it when I saw that
big brute attack you. 1t wasn't any
thing
"Ah-7but it was a great thing. Not
many men of the upper deck would
come to the rescue of a peasant girl.
i
At this point the steward came and
whispered som ething in Cameron
| ear The latter rose and. with an
| apology, left the girl for a moment.
When he returned his face was
| wreathed in smiles.
| fEverything's all right" he pro-
claimed. You can have the cabin
that was left vacant at Havre. Some
body who had ordered it didn't show
up and the captain has let me have It
for you. You. can't go back to that
gang, of course. Now why don't you
go below and get a rest and I'll see you
"Dinner! Do you think the cabin
passengers would sit at table with a
mere pleasant? I could not bear the
| shame OF it,
Donald cameron's face darkened.
Vt d like to see any one insulting you'll"
he snapped. You just don't worry
and go ahead"
well, I will do as you say. Can
you have my box sent up from the
| steerage?"
Cameron sought the steward, and
that official. with some grumbling at
having to serve a mere immigrant"
sought the baggage. The box, a small
but securely fastened affair, was
| transported to the cabin and Came.
ron's unknown prepared to go below.
As she rose she asked: What is the
name of the man to whom 1 owe my
| life?"
My name IS Donald Cameron"
THE son of the great Arthur Cam
eron. the diplomat"
why. yes. How did you know"
| "Oh, even we peasants sometimes
/ know the great ones-from long way
| off. Your father was known and
| loved all through my country"
/ And your name. What il is2"
The beautiful girl hesitated a mo-
/ ment TT is-it is Marya-nol I
/ will not tell you now. When we meet
\ this evening I will tell you" And
Cameron was forced to be satisfied
with this reply.
He anticipated the dinner hour with