Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-02-13


own address. And when she looked at the
card tho name was Benny deck!
CHATTER xLNU.
More than once on one amt the same day
the captain had been guilty Of a weakness
which would have taken his oldest friends
by surprise II they had seen him at the mo-
mcnt. lie hcSitatcd.
A man who has commanded ships and has
risked his life In tho regions OF the frozen
deep is man formed by nature and taught
by habit to meet emergency face to face, Ia
see his course straight before him. and to
take II, lead him whore II may But nature
and habit, formidable forces as they are. md
their master when they encounter the pas
sion OF love.
AT once perplcxed and distressed by that
startling change In Catherine which he had
observed when her child approached her,
Benny deck's customary hrmness failed hun,
when the course OF conduct toward his be-
uOthed.wife which II might be most becom.
ing to follow presented itself 10 him rs q
problem 10 be solved. When Kitty asked
him 10 accompany her nursemaid and her
self on their return 10 the hotel he had re-
fused because he fclt reluctant 10 intruds
himself on GATHERINGS notice until she was
ready 10 admit him 10 her confidence of her
own free will Left alone, he began to doubt
whether delicacy did really require him to
make the sacrifice which he had contem-
PLACED not tive minutes since. 1t was surely
possible that Catherine might be waiting to
see him. and might then offer the explana-
ton which would prove to be equally re-
lief on both sides lie was on his way to the
hotel when he met with Sydney Westerfield
To see woman In the sorest need OF all
that kindness and consideration could offer,
and To leave her rs helpless as he had found
her. would have been an act OF brutal indif-
ference. revolving TO any man possessed OF
even ordinary scnsibility. The captain had
only followed his natural impulses, and lad
only said and done what In nearly similar
cases. he had said and done on other occa-
sions.
Left by himself he advanced few steps
mechanically. on the way by which Sydney
had escaped him-and then stopped Was
there any sufficient reason for his following
her and intruding himself on her notice?
She had recovered. she was in possession OF
his address, she had been referred to per-
son who could answer for his good inten.
tons; all that II was his duty to do had been
done already. lie turned back again, in the
direction OF the hotel.
Ilcsitating once more. he paused half way
along the corridor which led to Catherine 8
stting-rOom. Voices reached him from per-
sons who had entered the house by the front
door. lie recognized Mrs. Presty's loud,
confident tones. She WAS taking leave Of
friends. and was standing with her back to-
ward him. Bennydeck waited, unobserved,
until he saw her enter the sitting room. No
| such explanation as he was In search Of could
possibly take place In the presence Of Cath.
crimes mother. lie returned to tho garden.
Mrs Prcsty was In high spirits. She had
enjoyed the festival; she had taken the lead
among the friends who accompanied her Ia
the palace; she had ordered everything and
had paid for nothing, at that worst Of all bad
public dinners In England. the dinner which
rretends to be French. In buoyant frame
Of mind, ready for more enjoyment II she
could only ind II, villa, did she see on open
ing the sltting-rOOm door? To use the ex
pressive language OF the stage. Catherine
was discovered alone"-with her elbows on
tho table. and her face hidden in her hands
the picture OF despair.
MIS- Presty surveyed the spectacle before
her with righteous Indignation visible In
every line OF her face. The arrangement,
which bound her daughter to give Benny.
deck his final reply on that day had been
well known To her when she left the hotel In
the morning. The conclusion at which she
arrived, OH returning ut night, was expressed
with Roman brcvity and Roman eloQuence
In four words:
| "Oh. the poor captainv'
| Catherine suddenly looked up.
II knew Il" Mrs. Presty continued, with
her sternest emphasis; II see what you have
done In your face You have refused Benny
deck"
God forgive me. have been wicked
enough 70 accept him!'
| Hearing this some mothers might have
made apologies, and other mothers nigh,
have asked what that penitential reply could
possibly mean. Mrs. Presty was no matron
OF the ordinary type. She welcomed the
good news without taking the smallest notice
OF the expression Of self-reproach which had
accompanied IL
| my dear child, accept the cOngratulatIon.
OF your fond old mother. have never been
one Of the kissing sort Il mean. of course
where women are concerned, but this Is ar
occasion which justifies something quite Out
OF the common way. Como and kiss me-"
| Catherine took no notice OF that Outburst
Of maternal love-
II have forgotten everything that ought
TO have remembered" she said. I'm my
vanity, In my weakness, In my selfish enjoy.
ment OF the passing moment. have been toe
supremely happy even to think Of the trials
OF my past life. and OF the false position in
which they have placed me toward the man
whom ought to be ashamed to deceive.
have only been recalled to sense of duty,
might almost say to a sense Of decency, by
my poor little child. II Kitty had not re-
minded me Of her father"
Mrs. Presty dropped into chair; she was
really frightened. Her fat cheeks trembled
like jelly on dish that is suddenly moved.
"lias that man been here?' she asked.
What man?'
THE man who may break of your mar.
riage IL he meets with the captain. las
Herbert IInley been here?'
'Cetainly not. The one person associated
with my troubles whom have seen to-day
Is Sydney Wes.erfeld."
Mrs. Presty bounced ont Of her chair you
have seen-Sydney WesterGcld?' she re-
peated, with emphatic pzuses which express
ed amazement tempered by unbelIeL
Yes: have seen her."
"Wherey'
''ln the garden"
And spoken to herr
"Yes"
Mrs. Presty raised her eyes to the ceiling.
Whether she expected our Old friend tho
recording angel" to take down the questions
and answers that had just passed, or whether
she was only waiting 10 SEQ the hotel that
held her daughter collapse under sense Of
moral responsibility, 1t Is not possible to de-
eide. After an awful pause the old lady 70
membered that she had something more 70
say. and said Il
II make no remark, Catherine; l don't
even want TO know what you and Miss West