The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-05

OH l forgot my poor child-you are an
orphan. But at any rate you will let
me take you back to the people with
whom you were staying!"
ooh, mol" she said hurriedly. 81 could
not think of giving you so much trou-
BILE"
"Troublei If it were not that tim
losing you at the end I should call 1t
pleasure. There! it Is settled, isn't 1t?
And what time shall we go?"
Indeed, Mr., Stanton, cannot accept
your escort. If--I-they oh! can't you
understand"
Her face was turned from him, they
had wandered away from the parade
on to the beach and she was drawing
cabalistic figures on the shifty sands
with her parasol. He looked at her for
a second and then he felt the blood
rushing to his head.
MY dear Miss Alban, do you mean
that any one-that some ONE
She nodded, not desisting from her
diagrams"
THAT some one has dared to hint that
|-that-you know what ! mean"
Apparently she did, for she answered
In low voice:
THAT is 1t. I overheard something
in the drawing room this morning; and
what would they say if you came to
London with me?"
There was moments pause, and
with sudden gulp, Luke Stanton plum
ged manfully into the deep waters of a
declaration. They would say in truth
that he could not bear to lose her, that
he loved her, that he wanted nothing
better than to hear her say she would
be his wife Would she say it here
now? He was an old man, triple her
lage, no doubt-but--but-- He stopped
out of breath and red of face, and Miss
Alban covered her face with her hands
and made no ansWer-even when,
having recovered himself, Mr. Stanton
pressed her still further.
Il don't know" she murmured: II
must think. lam so surprised"
Of course she should have time to
think-until tomorrow Would she tell
him tomorrow?
| An inarticulate sound no doubt meant
yes, and then came a more coherent,
| you will go now, won't you? l want
| to be alone
| And with many a backward glance
Luke Stanton went. He chuckled to
himself again as in his own room his
| eyes fell on the bowl of water cold
now over which he had opened Adrian s
| letter. He would be finely caught; and
it was not case of cutting off his nose
to spite his face, for Kittie Alban was
as pretty girl as any one could wish
and a perfect little lady.
He took unusual pains over his dress
ing, crumpled innumerable ties and at
last was ready. To his dismay, how
ever, when all the guests had filed into
table d'hote he had to realize that Miss
Alban, whose seat it is needless to say,
was next to his own, was absent.
On questioning the waitor he found
that Miss Adams dinner had been sent
to her room. Luke was disappointed
and a little alarmed; he fidgeted about
after the meal in an aimless sort of
fashion, and finally sent a message to
| inquire after the absentee. The ansew
came that Miss Alban had headache
When a man of 60 screws himself UP
to a pitch of taking unto himself a wife
|
necessary to prevent his rejecting toe
deeply on all that the step may mean
and the evening seemed very long to
Mr.. Stanton.
| No Miss Alban was visible at the
usual hour in the breakfast room, and
an anxiuos inquiry, less carefully
worded this time, ELECTED the same re-
ply. Really uneasy now, Mr.. Stanton
penned a hasty note Of coincidence II
began: my dear Miss Alban," and end
ed, Your sincerely" The poor man
wandered about feebly until lunch time
when the same thing was repeated. A
leaf hastily torn from his notebook, on
which he hoped that Dearest Kittie
would not forget her promise, and
would come down presently and end the
suspense of Hers always, l.. S." was
this time pushed under the floor with
his own hand, and few minutes later
a small three-cornered note was brought
him with the laconic communication in
side of "4:30 on the parade"
1t was an hour and a half to that
time, and it had to be got through some.
how. Luke Stanton was distinctly i'm
patient. His mind was made up; he
would be able to spite Adrian and his
wretched little low wife, and at the
same time secure a delightful compan-
ion for himself But he wanted it set.
tied Surely no girl in her senses could
refuse-and the great charm about
| Kfttie Alban was her extreme sensi.
bleness.
He knew the exact spot on which he
would be sure to meet Kittie, and he
was hurrying toward it when he car.
romed against somebody in the opposite
direction.
II beg-Why, what the deuce
"Father!"
Adrian Stanton held out his hand per.
suasively.
Come, father, you're going to shake
hands? felt I must come down"
did you? Well that's unfortunate
because I'm going back to town"
But, dad, do listen to me- L"
Il won't listen, l tell you; beside,
have an appointment. can't stay"
The pink muslin frock was distinctly
visible; Luke felt that the situation wa,
intolerable.
zone moment. You must stay. M,
wife is here--you'll see her-you'll--"
/ "I'll see her d."
Directly, won't you Mr. Stanton?'
a soft voice broke in before the I'm.
pardonable word was uttered.
Mis- Alban,' stammered Luke, "thi!
| iS