U niversity
pf
O regon M on th ly
13
attention to them as she talked to her father and seemed to be utter
ly unconscious of their presence.
It was some days, later:, that the . three sought out the captain
of the vessel and were presented to the young lady and her father.
Vivian Harcourt—for that was her name—had a striking per
sonality: She was a Wellesley girl, having been graduated from
college but a few years.., Her father, - Judge Harcourt of the Su
preme Court of Colorado, was well acquainted with Judge Osburn,
father of the boys. .The judge was one of the many wealthy mine-
owners in Denver. He had a wife and was once a typical, happy
man of wealth and ease. But now he loved nobody or cared for
nothing in the world but his daughter, Vivian. Not yet three years
had elapsed since his beloved wife had died. Life was now a dreary
expanse without her and his only source of comfort was this daugh-
iter. In her attentions to him she was ever lovable, kind.and affec
tionate. Always she watched and cared for him most assiduously.
The two were now on a trip to,--New Zealand by way of Aus
tralia for the benefit of the old gentleman’s declining health.
The judge treated the three Osbums pleasantly, yet seemed to
resent any attempt at intimate friendship. The young men got little
satisfaction for their efforts. Judge Harcourt loved Vivian as only
a father can love his only child and he jealously wanted her all to
himself. Ardently as each tried to .get an interview with Miss Viv
ian, none of the three waSsable to see her alone. With each she
wa$ the same lively, vivacious young creature of charm and grace.
Two week’s acquaintance left the three men in a state of dis
couragement. All three had love dreams of beaming glances and
affectionate smiles yet that was all. Progress in this quarter seemed
impossible. = Vivian was “bewitching.” She was “queenly.” She
was an “angel.” But no satisfaction could any of the three get for
his advances'.
III
The Storm
' The weather on the voyage had thus far been ideal. Only oc
casionally had a light breeze sprung up and disturbed the otherwise
tranquil surface of'the ocean. But good weather was not destined
to last. A change was to be wrought and that change was to bring