[Richard Vandermarck by Miriam Coles Harris]@TWC D-Link book
Richard Vandermarck

CHAPTER III
3/18

The man at the gangway was shouting "all aboard;" the whistle was blowing; the bell was ringing; Ann was whimpering; when a belated-looking young man with a book and paper under his arm came up the stairs hurriedly and looked around with anxiety.

As soon as his eye fell on us, he looked relieved, and walked directly up to me, and called me by name, interrogatively.
"O yes," I said eagerly, "but do get this woman off the boat or we'll have to take her with us." "Oh, no danger," he said, "plenty of time," and he took her toward the stairs, at the head of which she was met by the clerk, who touched his hat to me, handed the checks to Mr.
Vandermarck, then hurried off with Ann.

Mr.Vandermarck returned to me, but I was so engrossed looking over the side of the boat and watching for Ann and the clerk, that I took no notice of him.
At last I saw Ann scramble on the wharf, just before the plank was drawn in; with a sigh of relief I turned away.
"I want to apologize for being so late," he said.
"Why, it is not any matter," I answered, "only I had not the least idea what to do." "You are not used to travelling alone, then, I suppose ?" "Oh no," nor to travelling any way, for the matter of that, I added to myself; but not aloud, for I had a great fear that it should be known how very limited my experience was.
"You must let me take your shawl and bag, and we will go and get a comfortable seat," he said in a few moments.

We went forward and found comfortable chairs under an awning, and where there was a fine breeze.
It was a warm afternoon, and the change from the heated and glaring wharf was delightful.

Mr.Vandermarck threw himself back in his chair with an expression of relief, and took off his straw hat.
"If you had been in Wall-street since ten o'clock this morning you would be prepared to enjoy this sail," he said.
"Is Wall-street so very much more disagreeable than other places?
I think my uncle regrets every moment that he spends away from it." "Ah, yes.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books