Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-06
CHAPTER XLTI
Departure


IKE most girls, Miriam had dreamed
! about a trip abroad, but had never
49, yisualized herself as actually going. She
had never seen the sea until she mad come
to New York to live, and her first glimpse
of it had reused in her a restlessness, a de-
sire to be off on a ship bound for foreign
ports. London, Marseilles, Cherbourg, Naples,
the very names held a fascination for, her,
and now as her taxi bounced along the line
of wharfs and the smell of the sea was
waited to her nostrils she felt vague sense
| of adventure stir in her.
On the wharf crowds of people thronged
to say good-by. Those who were to be left
behind wore sad faces, but the prospective
travellers, those who in short time would
be aboard the steamship whose giant prov
lowered above them, looked excited, stirred.
In spite of herself, Miriam felt her heart
beat fast, and a little smile touched her lips
as she turned to Mr. Carson, who had come
down with her.
"I do believe I'm thrilled" she whis-
pered.
"Of course you are" he returned eagerly,
glad to see an expression on the girls face
that was more like her usual self. you're
going to have wonderful trip. I'm sure
of it."
cts like a fairy tale come true" Miriam
went on. "Somehow l can't believe I'm
actually going. 1 won't, | suppose, until I'm
on board and we've cast anchor, and are
actually moving off down the Hudson"
sides write to me when you reach Paris,
Joan, and don't fail to try that little res
taurant in Montparnasse." Miriam smiled at
this remark, and for time in her excite
ment, forgot the pain in her heart.
In q dream she walked up the gangplank,
Mr.. Carson at her side. The deck of the
America was so crowded that it was almost
impossible to force a way through and as
she passed Miriam scanned the faces of those
around her, wondering if perhaps Anthony
1,oI =; c,I,C NI,l1
would come down to see her off.
Below, it was the same, the passageWays
were crowded with people, and as she looked
about her, the thought came to Miriam that
this giant boat with all its luxurious equip
ment was to be her home for the next few
days. Now it seemed strange to her, but
she would learn to know it WE'LL she would
be able to find her way about, she would
be part Of it all, with her own special seat
in the dining room, and her own special
steamer chair deck. The thought was
somehow thrilling.
Her stateroom was perfect in its equip
ment. It's windows opened out on the prom
enade deck and on one side was a small
bath all her own. What girl could fail to
be thrilled at the prospect of six days at sea
surrounded by such comfort and impulsively
Miriam turned to Mr.. Carson with shining
eyes.
you've been more than considerate. I
can never thank you for all the trouble
you've taken for me, and, of course, you
know I'll do my best for you in Europe, you
can trust me-"
eve all know that" Mr.. Carson returned
quickly. "And now, do you want to open
your boxes, or will you come with me while
l make arrangements for your chair and so
forth?"
'Iu wait till later to open the things, d"
Miriam said eagerly. And a. she spoke she
realized that she was hoping against hope
for a last glimpse Of Anthony. That was
why she wanted OF get on deck as soon as
possible, so that she could continue to scan
the faces of those about her in the hopes Of
seeing that one face in all the world that
she loved best.
"Shall I ever forget him." The.girl thought
despairingly, and for the moment the antici-
patton of her trip was swallowed up in
memories.
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