Arizona republican., 1898-07-10

The evening was far advanced when I returned to Mrs. Weston's, and, ai- though that lady enlightened me as to the arrival of Mrs. Loring and her guest, I was quite willing to avoid intruding upon them. Mrs. Weston could tell very little about the newcomer. She thought that he was a foreigner, with one of those outlandish names that no body but an alien could understand. IL was easy to conjecture that Mrs. LOT ing had chanced to meet him in Trent. and had insisted upon bringing him to Rodneytown, to talk over old times and to gossip about people they had known in the Lord knew what distant land. In the morning, no doubt, an oppor- tunity would be given me to pay my re- spects.
 But the morning brought no oppor- tunity of the sort. When I called upon Mrs. Loring she was alone, and her guest-Col. Mendoza she called him was out for ramble about the neigh borhood. He had expressed a desire to visit the beach, she explained, and, in- asmuch as he had taken Johnson's boat. was probably cruising about the bay or some of the many channels branching off from it. She expected him to re- turn in an hour or two, and she was anxious, so very anxious, that I should meet him. Couldn't arrange to dine with them? Really it was distressing that another visit to Banks patient would prevent an acceptance of the in vitation. The colonel was such charming gentleman, so very, very charming, so courteous, so erudite, So widely travelled, and so on through the list of applicable adjectives. However, that afternoon or evening, or at supper yes, that would be a capital time the meeting could be brought about. Of course I acquiesced, and then, as Miss Gray was not in sight, parted with her aunt rather abruptly. After a quarter of an hour with Jones, whose case showed no unfavorable symptoms, came the call upon Lamar. Contrary to his custom, he was pottering about his domain that morning, lured from the house, perhaps, by the beauty of the day, which, however, was not potent enough to change his manner, for he gave me his stereotyped greeting, and our talk was as brief and formal as usual. He asked no questions as to the progress the injured man was making. and 1 volunteered no information on the subject. Then, in turn, came the ride on Banks business. I returned from it early in the afternoon, and after hasty meal-I challenged any man to finger unnecessarily over a country dinner gone cold for a couple of hours T spied Miss Gray on the porch of Mrs. Clark's residence, and strolled in her direction. 'I've come to make call," said I, talk ing a seat beside her.
 How flattering to us!" she answered. with smile. 'I'll bear the news to my aunt at once."
 ''Oh, there's no hurry. Let me catch my breath. I'm here to see your visitor this time."
 But don't you know that he has gone?" she asked.
 "No. I supposed him good for two or three days at least. Certainly Mrs. Loring didn't expect him to bid good by so speedily. He must be genuine bird of passage"
 "He surprised us. Really, we saw very little of him; for he started out early this morning and didn't return until nearly noon. And then he was off to Trent without waiting for dinner. He explained that he had recollected all important engagement, which must have escaped his memory when, carried away by the pleasure of meeting my aunt. he accepted her invitation
 That's odd," said I, idly, good deal relieved, on the whole, to find that need not meet the stranger, who, no matter how agreeable he might have been, would have lessened my chances for chat with Dorothy. Come, let us solace ourselves for his flight by 8 cruise in your boat. You'll be com fortable in the shade of a parasol."
 She readily agreed to the plan, and in ten minutes we were standing on the bank above the skiff, looking down at it with a pretense at critical inspec- tion.
 Ut is surprising that Johnson de-
  the seats," said I. "Let me brush it off before you try to embark. I'm amazed at his carelessness."
 Perhaps the fault is Col. Mendoza's.' she observed. ''He used the boat this morning, you know"
 Most of the muss is out of the way now," said I. assisting her into the stern sheets and settling myself at the oars: ''Eut I'll speak to Johnson about it. anyway. One expects more neatness in an old man-of-war's-man.'
 ''The colonel is far more likely to be the guilty person." she objected, as I bent to the oars and the boat gathered headway.
 ''Who is he? Is he mystery or plain everyday body? Tell me about him.
 "'We met him in Nice, and afterward in Paris. He was very courteous, and