The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-11-02

will allow me to take an oar in your
service?"
Vane's face darkens, but the widow
claps her hands and answers, gayly:
sCapital! 1t would really have been
hard work for one alone in this heat. :"
So Queenie runs to fetch her mothers
hat, but at the last moment finds the
charms of a fayorite kittens society
irresistible, and elects to remain on
terra firma herself.
Vane pulls stroke, and the boat
glides smoothly away from the emerald
bank and out into the CLASSY expanse
of water, amid scores of others gayly
laden with similar freight, and looking
as if playing their part in some holiday
scene.
"This has been very hard on me-"
murmurs Vane, bending forward, so
that his words are audible to the fair
steerer only. "My pleasant afternoon
all spoiled, because
because you are foolish, self-willed
boy," answers the little woman, who,
albeit some four years his junior, some
times likes to play at maternal airs.
"Come, shake off your tit of the blues!
be agreeable, and stay and dine with
u.s."
"With us? are You going very low
'to invite that fellow, too?"
Certainly l am. He is one of my
very Oldest friends"-("Old enoughw
grumbles Vane)-"and have not seen
him for years. We have heaps of
things to say to one another"
Then you will certainly get through
them better uninterrupted" says Sir
Reginald, in spiteful soto voice.
Then aloud: II am awfully sorry, Mrs.
Fairfax. but l have just remembered
that l have to dine out tonight. 1 am
afraid l must ask you to land me at
Surb;top, so that can get home by
train. Steer more to the right, please;
you are running us into that barge"
''What, are you growing nervous?"
and again that sweet, clear laugh rings
out, and Vane grinds his teeth as he
feels, rather than sees, that grim
smile is overspreading the face behind
him.
he scarcely attempts to disguise his re-
lief, as he springs ashore.
"Good-by! Many thanks, Mrs Fair
fax. may come over again soon?'
IF you like-only il is best to give
me notice beforehand, rs l might be in
London for the day. But, yes"-soft-
ening as his face falls ''come when
you like. Any day this week"
The ColOnefs heavy mustache has
sundry pulls during this col
loquy, and his face is shade graver
than usual as he steps into the vacant
seat and possesses himself of both oars.
As with few vigorous strokes the boat
is once more in motion, the widows eye
for the first time lights upon the maim-
ed left hand, and she exclaims, in dis
may:
"When-how-did that happen?"
I'm South Africa-long ayo. Don't
be afraid. My sculling may be some
what clumsy, but will promise to get
you safely home in due course of time"
"Oh! 1 was thinking of myself. But
does it hurt you? l am so sorry did
not know before Sir Reginald left us!
Or stay-could h0lp you, l wonder?"
"With those tiny baby hands of yours?
No, no, am getting on perfectly well;
but give that steam-launch more space,
Dr. we shall get tossing after she has
passed"
A silence followed. during which both
are busy with their own reflections.
When Mrs. Fairfax lifts her eyes to her
face it is so grave that she
axclaims in wonder:
Il was going to say: "A penny for
your thoughts, but from the expression
Of your cOuntenance yours must be
enough to be worth much more.
Won't you be generous and impart them
gratis?''
A long pause. during which she leans
over the side of the boat and idly dab
bles one hand in the water.
Take CARE he says, warningly;
''you will lose your rings"
81 have none on that hand, eX-
cept"-
She takes the little white fingers out
Of the water and gazes half-sadly on
the thick gold band-Jack's wedding
there six Years ago, and
only eighteen months before Jacks own
honest heart was still and cold.
Leslie Grahame is looking at it also,
and somehow the sight nerves him to
the next words he has to say.
at is long time since we metz is it
not? l was with poor Jack when he
bought that ring, and few days later
we had orders for India, and so missed
the wedding. But did not forget my
old friend or his bride-nor,a he adds,
more gently, Ibid l forget you when
sadder news reached me. Poor Jackr'
he says, dreamily, his thoughts busy
with the boy friend of his youth, and in
a manner forgetting that he is speaking
to that friends widow; $50 young, so
open-hearted and generous
cali that and more" she says, quick
ly; she was too good for this cold, hard
world. All me! TO think that Jack,
who was so strong, should have been
taken and little me left to face life
aloner'
"You have your child" Uncon-
sciously his tone has grown little stern
again.
Darling Queenie! Yes. But it is
dull sometimes and one wants some
one to consult-to lean on"
'And you think to find that some
one in Reginald Vane?"
He is sorry the next moment to have
blurted out the words, but it is too late
to recall them. She flashes a glance at
him, and he meets it steadily, expect
ing to be assailed with torrent of
feminine wrath, but is taken aback at
meeting instead sudden burst of tears.
"Mrs. Fairfax-what a brute / am
forgive me. have lived somuch alone
that | have fallen into dreadful habit