Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-05
would ccme of his letter to his partner.

would Gene of his letter to his partner,
de'could not help seeing what a eriev.
Gus disappointment it would be to the
family if their prize should not turn out
TO De all it was taken for. This view
struck him all the more after he had
exchanged a few words with Kate on
the subject of the engagement. Dur
ing the last day Or two he found him
self a good deal in the society of the
second Miss Williams. She was a
lively, amiable girl-the best of the
three, most people thought-and her
mothers right hand in the manage
ment OF the house. Bartlett was quite
surprised to find how blind he had
hitherto been to her good qualities.
consequently, when Mr.. Romney-
komney confided to him over their
atter-dinner cigar, that he was thinking
OF taking the Misses Williams and their
mother to spend a day at Boulcgne,
and invited Bartlett to be of the party,
Frank entered into the scheme without
any reluctance.
81 see from the timetables that
either Of the next two or three days
will suit u.s. Romney remarked, s'but
Thursday will give us the longest time
there. l shall invite some more peo-
pie to join us, and we will have a regu-
lar big party in honor of the suspicious
event."
The scheme was further mooted at
breakfast-time on the following day.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Romney-Rom-
ney's idea of "a regular big party"
it appeared that a large portion of the
company, consisting Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Boxall and their three children, had
already arranged to go to Canterbury
by coach on Thursday. The Rev. Sep
timus Macrory, with his wife and sister,
were going with them, and their places
on the coach were already booked.
Miss H%3fncastle, however, after some
little persuasion, consented on behalf
OF herself and sister to honor the party,
always provided the weather and the
sea were propitious. The last two Wis
itors Mr.. Huntley, a middle-aged bach
elor of jovial disposition, and Mr.. Oc-
tavious Prout, a vacuous youth from
the Stock Exchange, at present hope
lessly victimized by Mabel Williams
promised to join the excursion as a
matter of course.
This was the second day since Bart
lett had written to his partner. No
answer awaited him, however,; and as
time went on, and he found himself,
under the influence of Kate, more and
more interested in the happiness of the
Williams family, he began to hope de-
youtly that he would hear no more of
MI. Romney-Romney's portrait.
On the Thursday morning, which
dawncd bright and calm, and every
thing desirable, the Boulogne party
We're on the ..move early. The Louise
Dagmar, which was to carry them for
their trip, started at 9:3O, and it was
desirable to be on board in good time,
in order to secure places before the ar
rival of tie tidal train from London.
Consequently, there was rather a
! scamper over breakfast. Frank Bart
lett came in late from his morning
swim. A note for him lay on the
table. He recognized his partners
handwriting, but in his hurry was
obliged to slip the envelope in his pock-
ct unopened. Before he had done
breakfast, carriages came to take them
down to the harbor, and in the hustle
of getting away, and the anxiety of
looking after Kate Williams cloak and
parasol and other small belongings, his
letter for the moment slipped his mem
DRY.
They found themselves in capital
time. When they reached the boat,
and comfortable places had been Sc
cured for the ladies on deck, it still
wanted twenty minutes to the time of
starting. Mr.. Romney-Romney was
then seen whispering something to
Bertha, and presently he hurried off on
| shore.
"Where has he gone TOP" asked Mrs.
| Williams.
"To get some flowers" answered
Bertha. II told him not to go, but he
said there was plenty OF time. Oh, I
hope he won't be late! Mr.. Bartlett, do
you think he will?'
"He need not" said Bartlett. sThere
is a shop just across the harbor. He
could 90 there and back in ten minutes
if he chose to run"
came in, and for the next ten minutes
they were all busy watching the CONT
mental tourists swarming on board.
When, however, at the end of a quar-
ter of an hour Mr.. Romney-Romney
had not returned, the ladies manifested
considerable uneasiness. The passen-
gers were all on board; the pile of lug
gage on the quay was being rapidly re-
duced; and yet he did not appear. AS
the harbor clock struck the half-hour,
and the steam whistle roared out lust
lily, Bertha Williams stood up and
looked towards the quay, biting her
lip nervously. Then the last portman-
teau came laundering down on deck,
and the gangway was drawn up. There
was an interchange of signals between
the captain and the shore, a shout or
two, and a splash as the cables were
cast off, and then a CULVER ran through
the boat, and the quay suddenly APP
peared to o away, and Bertha
dropped back in her chair with a sob
which would not be depressed, for they
were off, and MI. Romney-Romney was
left behind.
"Don't be frightened" said Bartlett,
to the ladies generally. ~Perhaps he
has slipped on board and gone below.
/ will go and look"
He had not much faith in his w
theory, but he moved away as he spoke,
and looked hrOuph every mart Of the