The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-05
Mrs. Williamson
By Mira. w. x Clifford.
CHAPTER /

cold had worried MIN q GOOD uedl,
and country houses and London So
ciety alike bored him, but he had
struggled through the winter, even
to the end Of the Easter holidays.
Then he sprained his foot, which
obliged him to lie up and gave him
time for reflection. Let it be said
here that he was four and thirty
and good-looking. He cared lfttle
for frfvolitiss, he read books when
they were not to stodgy, but he was
neither particularly learned nor even
highly cultured. He had agreeable
manners and pleasant instincts; he
was .affectionate to his sisters,
though he could get along well
enough without them; staunch to
his friends, though he did not care
to see too much of them, or easily
make acquaintance. As for falling
in love, 1t simply did not occur to
him; life was pleasant enough; why
complicate it with untried condi-
tiens7
II think / shall go and do a trav-
ell" he said to his mother when his
foot was better. There are some
Rhips that 60 from Liverpool along
4he Mediterranean. From Genoa I
could easily get to Milan and the
italian lakes, owe q pass into Swift
erland, and-Watt there for you all"
The Travers family went to the En-
gadine every August as naturally as
It went to church every Sunday.
Then we could be together till l
have to hurry back to the coast and
catch ship for Bombay" 1t was a
popularity OF his that laying out a
programme meant, as a rule, a sense
OF obligation to carry 1t through.
Tom barton went down to Liver
pool to see him on. The Arab was
not to san till three. SO they lunch
ed at the hotel, and were as silent
as old chums often are-they had
been at Woolwich together-when a
parting is at hand. barton tried to
talk Of the people and dotngs they
both remembered; but 1t was nc
good. Then he noticed a woman,
quietly dressed in some sort Of dark
WOODEN stuff, and a little hat close
Gtting and soft, lunching alone at
the next table. She was thin and
care worn looking, even a little in
significant at the first glance, and
not young-three or four and thirty,
perhaps. There was something pa
thetic about her. There was a half
hunted look in her eyes that ar
rested attention.
II think / have seen her before"
barton said; "her face seem to be
familiar. Wonder who she isl"
Sensible, anyhow" Travers an
ewered. Mutton chop and a glass
OF claret. l can't stand a woman
who has a poached egg and a cup
Of tea in the middle OF the day. You
may take it as a pretty safe rule
that she doesn't know much and is
tiresome." Then the talk drtfted
into other channels and the solitary
woman was forgotten.
Late in the afternoon when Trav-
ers stood watching the shore retreat
ing into the already dim distance, he
saw the slim figure again. She was
leaning over the side OF the ship,
watching the distance, too. with an
eager, thankful manner-for there
was no one near her and she I'M
agined herself ~unobserved. Travers
looked at her for q moment and
wheeled round to retreat. Suddenly
the gprained foot gave way and he
went down. An expression Of pain
n vexation escaped him; 1t was
Notifying to measure his length at
a strange woman's feet. She turned
quickly and put out a hand to help
him but 1t was unnecessary.
"You are hurt" she said. "You
must be hurt" and her tone was
half frightened, half compassionate.
IT'S nothing" he answered.
''thank you very much. 1 sprained
my foot pretty badly six weeks ago
and ought to be more careful"
"Of course you ought, a sprain is
such a slow thing to recover from"
Her voice was deep and sweet; it
seemed to burrow Its way into his
heart; but his foot was hurting and
she saw It.
''Sit down and rest" she said,
'you are in pain. This floor is 80
slippery-stay, let me get you a
deck chair"
This viii do quite WELL" he sat
down gracefully on the seat of the
bulwarks, while she remained stand
ing beside him. They made me
try the new dodge" he explained,
walking. 1t is rather weak still;
gives way at unexpected moments"
You ought to rest 1t we'll" she
said, still compassionate, but you
viii be able to do that easily on
board the ship"
IT am only going as far as Genoa.
/ wanted to make my way from
there over the st. Gothard and do
some walking"
1T won't be safe" she said. and
looked Up with an air of conviction
that wal impressive. He saw that
49, - -womo oro 6nan onH rIoor