Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-15
CHAPTER NLNII
HuiIdinu Anew

N spite or the OmlnOuS SOOu-Dy between
I them, it was almost impO~3lDie for Miriam
"A and Warren Holmes to avoid seeing each
other. They met constantly deck, in the
dining saloon. Ii she happened to go below
for book or handkerchief she was sure to
meet him, and all the while the giant ship,
with the American flag floating in the breeze,
poWed its way through the mountains of
billoWing, greensh-blue water.
The ship was constant fascination to Mi
riam. Everything was so beautifully devised
for the comfort OF the passengers that it was
a JOY to be living on it. The food was deli
cious and plentiful, but luxurious. There was
always some form of amusement going on,
games were always in progress, dancing was
popular, and wrapped in her huge Woolly
coat, Miriam spent hours on the broad decks,
walking up and down, curled up in
steamer chair, book in her lap which she
rarely opened
Warren Holmes did not seek her out He
was consderate enough to leave her to her
self, but after two days had passed, two days
of the marvellous healing of sea and sky, than
which there is no better cure for heartache
and mind turbulence, Miriam felt more Sc
rene, more az if she had left a part of her
life behind her, and was proceeding to re-
construct her life anew.
On the third day of her trip she found her
self unbending toward her fellow passengers
she caught herself laughing at the ridiculous
sallies Of some of her dining saloon cOmpan-
ions. She realized that she no longer wanted
to cut herself off from the world, and she
was thankful beyond anything for this trip,
that was already doing so much for her.
Once a journey to Europe had seemed
misty dream; now she wondered why she had
put off going for so long On board were all
kinds of people, from the very rich to those
who possessed only moderate means and she
early discovered that it was not tn eeXpense
that made going to Europe a dream rather
than a reality, but habit that chains the i'm
aginatiOn and makes a trip across the ocean
seem difficult to Wealize.
1t was on the third night Of her trip, that
for long moments sh eWas almost mappy. She
was standing deck with man who had
just been her partner in dance, and because
he was young and naive and treated her with
mixture of Difference and audaciousness
she was enjoying him.
Honestly, you don't know what a relief it
is to meet a woman who has some object in
life" he had told her. "You must have some
head on your shoulders to be sent on a trip
for your firm
Miriam had just made him a laughing re-
joinder, when Warren Holmes passed them.
He was with a beautiful girl in pale pink
velvet, and Miriam found her eyes following
the two they strolled down the deck. For
some reason her gaety evaporated converse
ton suddenly became an ~-lort.
Are you tred?" the boy at her side was
saying. Shall we go inside now? Would
you like to sit DOWN."
Miriam was about to aCquiesce, when War
rem Holmes came back toward them. He was
alone this time, and he came abreast of
them he stopped.
Il wonder if you will give me a dance,
Miss FolWell?"
To her amazement, Miriam found herself
consenting, and as the boy at her side bowed,
an expression Of irritation spreading over his
face, Miriam found herself alone with
Holmes.
At f. she felt absurdly shy, but very
quickly he put her at her ease. He told her
of his reason for crossing just now, and she
found herself answering him. She gradually
realized that she enjoyed talking to him. She
found him an interesting companion a broad
minded, tolerant man, and later when she
was alone in her stateroOm, preparing to take
hot bath in clear green salt water, she
mentally cOntrasted him with Anthony. War
rem Holmes was willing to talk on all sides
of subject, while Anthony had a one-track
mind, and was perverse and narrow, where
his beliefs were challenged. Why should An
thony draw her so, while Warren Holmes left
her cold? 1t was a strange problem the
strangest in the world.