The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-28
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Hill Pretty Mrs. Gordon. |I|||-
::::: Observation-Disclosures: 4: IS: IL:


though. ana dashed abruptly into the
| conversation, Turning IL into an entirely
dinerent channel. A moment later Mrs.
Gordon flashed me quick look of COM
prehension and gratitude, and / was
happy.
Well. as 1 said before. 1 am very sus-
ceptible TO first impressions, and on
That small incident / based my opinion
| OF Miss Douglass and Mrs Gordon. re-
| spectively. / decided then and there
| that the former was hard and unsym-
1 pathetic and unwomanly-all that a
woman ought not to be. in fact; while
the latter was-well, don't know as
| can exactly put into words all that 1
| thought about The latter.
| Time went on, and every day 1 man
| aged to see a gooo deal of Mrs Gordon.
| She spent many hours up stairs with
| her sister in their little private sitting
| room. but when she came down she al
ways seemed ready to talk to me. and
pleased TO accept such attentions as /
ventured to show her. Sometimes we
walked together, sometimes we drove
together: and day by day the spell OF
her fascination grew stronger.
'Samival my boy. beware OF Wild
dies" said Hugh Drummond TO me
one morning as we smoked our after
breakfast cigarettes on the wide ter
the house
His tone expressed absolutely moth
ing. and hesitated, not knowing
whether TO laugh or frown. Ii is al
ways 30 difficult TO make sure OF what
Hugh is driving at.
What do you mean?" / asked rather
shortly.
Nothing" he answered. i'm the same
way. IL never mean anything, you
know, Colonel. Besides, that wasn't an
original sentiment but merely a quota
tion from the immortal 'Pickwick."
II know that" 1 returned. more
shortly still. II know my Dickens as
well as you do. / only wondered II
you meant the quotation as a warning.
because. II you did
paused and Hugh flicked the end off
his cigarette.
''Yes?" he said. assuming an air of
polite interest. Yes? III / did. Col
onel. what then?"
Why. hi was only waste OF time" I
answered, that's all. / never listen TO
warnings and / believe I'm old enough
to take care of myself"
We'll. II you aren't now, you. never
Will be, Hugh remarked equally Don't
suspect me OF trying TO dry-nurse you.
Colonel I've no desire 10 do anything
of the kind" Then he stood still. Here
comes Mrs. Gordon" he added. "of
course she wants to talk TO you, so I'll |
clear out. It's against my principles 10 |
spoil sport"
He turned and lounged away in the |
opposite direction. but | went on to |
meet Mrs. Gordon. who was looking |
even more charmingly pretty than us
ual. do like woman who looks pret-
ty i'm the morning.
Have you anything special to do |
just now, Colonel Maitland?" she asked. |
as she came up 10 me. g hope not. be-
cause / want to talk to you for five
IL / may"
She raised her soft blue eyes to mine.
with look that made me feel that
five years would be but as five minutes
II spent in her company, and for her
sake.
II have nothing 10 do ] answered.
though IN had il would make no diff
ference. / am always at your service.
as you know, Mrs. Gordon.
She looked up at me again. blushing
like a rose.
"Ah," she laughed; "you have so
often said that, and ! have never put
you TO the test, but I am going TO !
Iest?"
More than willing" said. as we
itroHed on delighted"
There was a pause.
Il am going TO ask you a favor" Mrs.
iordon went on presently. trife ner-
4
for me. Will you do it?"
res. | answered. without hesita-
ion. "Of course I win"
Thank you Colonel Maitland" she
said, II believe you are true friend"
Well, i hope so,' l returned. Any
way I've never been accused of being
! false one yet Now. Mrs. Gordon. will
lou tell me what 1t Is you want me to
lo?"
She laughed lightly. Her serious
mood had passed.
Its nothing very great. after ALL"
The answered. Nothing TO make n !
uss about really. only I'm always so |
hy about asking favors of people.
Didn't you say last night that you
lnew one of the captains Of the Manor
.ine?"
Yes" I answered. wondering what
N earth she was leading up to: How
rd, the captain Of the Royal Manor
'oor old Howard, He was born 10
ifferent things. but he ran through all
is money then went 10 sea. That was
IS way Of going under, poor chap.
don't see much Of him now. but still
1e run up against one another from
lme TO time, and we're always friends"
We'll" said Mrs. Gordon. II should
Ike TO take passage for my sister ON
card the Royal Manor. Jessie is going
0 some friends in New York. and 7
IN not able to go with her. So natur-
lly, reel rather anxious about her.
ut IL she could go in charge of a {
riend OF yours. ] shouldn't feel anxious Z
{ all should know then that she | $
as safe. for the voyage. at all events.
You'd you mind-wOuld 10 trouble YOU J
cry much To write a line 20 Capt. How 1
I'd. telling him about Jessie. and ask :
~ him 20 look after her. I find the ,
oyal Manor sails next week, and that I
dll jus. suit" !
Trouble me?' / repeated "Not M ,
u. OF course I'll write--no. on second :
loughts Ill go and see Howard. AMI }
lake all the arrangements for YOU II !,
on like. / shall be glad to meet How
rd again. as well as delighted To help c
on I'm any way. and ] may be able 10 !,
we you a lot OF trouble"
How good you are said Mrs. Cor
)n. with "A warmtf of gratitude that
,smed out OF all proportion TO the i,
light service I had offered to render !
sr. "If all men were like you. how :
ffersnt the world would he. Yes. n '
1