The Florence daily tribune., 1898-05-07

IF you wish me to come back with
you, Alic, answered quickly, II will
come with glad heart. have no duty
to consider, and as have given up my
practice have no patients to give me
any concern. But how shall get back
to England later on?"
Il will arrange that you shall be sent
down to Torres strait, and you can 20
home via Australia, II that will suit
you. Never fear. l will attend to chat
part Of 1t when it becomes necessary"
''Tben will go with you.
Il thank you. Good night"
Next morning after breakfast dis
covered that Miss Sanderson and her
companion were setting off for days
pleasure, and that Mr.. Ebbington was
to be their sole conductor and escort. 1t
was noticeable that he had donned
new suit of clothes in honor of the occa-
sion, and saw that he wore sprig of
japonica in his buttonhole From his
expression concluded that he WINS very
well satisfied with himself, but wheth-
or no would have been quite 10 con-
fident had no known who his fair
friends really were was quite another
matter and one upon which could only
conjecture.
We spent the afternoon with the
ladies in the garden and at their request
remained to take ten with them. Dur
ing this al fresco meal, which was pre-
sided over by Miss Sanderson herself,
my companion stated that it was his do
sire to arrange something little out Of
the common for the ladies' amusement.
what shall it be?'' he asked with
the magniflcence Of an oriental poteh-
tate to whom all things are possible.
IA picnic? But that is not much fun
here. A dance? But it's too hot for that.
What would you like?"
Allie seemed to reflect for few mo-
ments. and then she said, with an ap-
pearance Of animation:
'Do You really want to give us a
treat, Mr. EbbingtonY Then reckon
the incest thing you can possibly do on
these hot nights would be to take us for
trip on the water. know Mrs.
Beecher thinks 30 too. Now you just
get us launch and trot us round. l
gSess that'll be real delightful"
She elapped her hands and appeared
to be so pleased with the idea that,
whatever he may himself have thought
of 1t, there was nothing for Ebbington
to do but to assent
We'll take some supper, she con-
tinued as if a new idea had struck her,
land you gentlemen shall bring your
cigars, and we'll spend a delightful
evening. I'm fonder of the sea than you
can think. But do just wish you could
see New York harbor. You should see
Newport, too where my papa's got a
cottage It's real fine.
After dinner that evening Ebbington
reported that he had engaged a steam
launch and also that he had ordered the
supper. Thereupon to encourage him
Miss Sanderson professed herself to be
looking forward to the trip more than
she had ever done to anything else in
her life.
Accordingly next evening immediate
ly after dinner we saw that our charges
were carefully wrapped up, chartered
rickshaws and set off for the harbor. 1t
was lovely night, with young moon
just showing like silver sickle above
the roofs. We were all in the highest
spirits, although must confess my own
were not unmixed with slight dash of
nervousness as to what the upshot Of
our excursion would be.
had noticed all through the even
ing, and. for the matter Of that, through
out the day. that Ebbington's manner
toward Allie was every moment growing
more unpleasantly familiar. By the
time he had completed his first bottle Of
champagne at supper it was about as
much as | could stand. Indeed, twice
he called her by her assumed Christian
name, and once he tried to take her
hand Remembering, however, what
would follow later, kept tight rein
upon myself and did not allow any OK
preston Of my feelings to ESCAPE me.
AFTER all give me American girls. J"
our hero was saying. with an insolent
freedom for which could have kicked
him, as he lit his cigar. THERE'S none
of that stand offishness about them that
there is with our English women. You
can say more to them without their be-
ing offended and wanting &c call their
fathers In to you.
"You mean, perhaps, that we are
more good natured, said Allie. I'm
afraid. however, we're sometimes IN