Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"Anderson, Nephi
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Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"
Anderson, Nephi
Christian fiction; Latter Day Saints -- Fiction
"I hope not. Far be it for me to harm you--or any living soul. But I
don't know much about the gospel as we call it--for you must know it is
the simple gospel of Jesus Christ revealed anew. There are three other
'Mormons' on board, missionaries going to Europe. One of them at least
could tell you much."
"But I'd be pleased to hear you tell me--is, is that father? I wonder if
he is looking for me."
Chester looked in the direction indicated. A man came up, then passed
on; it was not the minister. The girl crouched into the shadow, and as
she did so her shoulder pressed against Chester's. Then she sprang up.
"Well, I was foolish," she exclaimed, "to be afraid of dear old daddy!"
Chester also arose, and the two walked to the railing. They stood there
in the moonlight. Great clouds of black smoke poured from the ship's
funnels, and streamed on to windward, casting a shadow on the white
deck. They looked out to the water, stretching in every direction into
the darkness. Then as if impelled by a common impulse, they looked at
each other, then blushed, and lowered their eyes. The girl's hands lay
on the railing. Chester saw their soft shapeliness, and noted also that
there were no rings on them.
"I'm glad I've met you," said Chester honestly.
"And I'm glad, too," she breathed. "Some other time you must tell me so
much. I've so many questions to ask. You'll do that, won't you?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Now I must go to father. He may be uneasy." She held out her hand.
"Good night--what _do_ you think of me? Am I a rude girl?"
"I heard your father call you Lucy. That's your name, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"And I may call you that, may I not? You know these ship-board
acquaintances don't wait on ceremony."
"But I don't know your name, either. Think of it, how we have been
really confidential and we don't even know each other's name."
"I know yours."
"Only half of it. I've two more. How many have you?"
"Only two."
"And they are?"
"Chester Lawrence."
"Well, mine is Lucy May Strong--and now, goodnight."
He took her arm and helped her down the steps, gently, for she seemed
such a frail being, one who needed just such stout arms as Chester's to
lean upon. He risked the danger of meeting the father by helping her
down the second flight of steps to the state-room deck.
"Good night, Lucy."
"Good night--Brother Lawrence."
CHAPTER V.
All Monday forenoon, Chester sat on deck reading a book which he had
obtained from the ship's library. It was a most interesting story, and
yet the world of gray-green water and changing clouds drew his attention
from the printed page. He was beginning to realize what the fascination
for the sea was which took hold of men. It would have been difficult for
him to analyze or explain this feeling, but it was there; and it seemed
to him that he would have been content to live out his life on that
boundless ocean which presented a symbol of eternity continually before
his eyes.
"Good morning."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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