Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-06-28

said Rlchard fhOrne, when the
q departure of her other callers
aad left him alone with his hostess.
II thought there was something fun.
ny about" said Mrs. Vavasour, shading
the freight from her face with a
screen of barbaric grandeur, while
Thorne stared straight into the glow
and bit at his straw-colored mustache
"Out with It," encouraged Mrs. Vava.
sour, with a gleam of kindly amuse.
ment in her eyes.
''Well." said Richard Thorne, plainly
pulling himself together. tits come al
last I'm first officer no longer"
you've got shipT'
"Yes. I've got ship" he repeated af-
ter her slowly.
MY dear boy, I'm SO glad" leaning
forward little in her armchair.
Il knew you would be-" he said, smil-
ting slightly, without raising. his eyes.
''Of course l am. 1t is one Of Don.
oldson's."
'Yes, Same line"
She watched him curlously in the ST.
lence that followed. They had been
staunch friends, these two, as boy and
girl, twenty years ago, and though he
went to sea, and she married Tom Va
vasour, they were still the same.
You don't seem extravagantly elat-
ed, yourself" she hazarded presently.
Don't IY he answered aimlessly.
giving his big shoulders hitch in a
second endeavor to recall his thoughts.
NO, you don't" sharply. what is
itY' kindly.
"Well, fact is, the new berth's on the
Sydney and Vancouver trip. The other
side of the world, you know" he ex-
planned.
.Of course 1 know. I need not be a
sailor man with gold embroidery on my
hat to know that"
Thorne laughed at the characteristic
onslaught, and her face frightened in
sympathy with his.
But we won't lose you altogetherT
she queried briskly. "Of course 1t
would be much nicer II 1t were on the
home trip, but Wen see you sometimes,
won't we?'
"Oh, yesv' listlessly.
She shot a searching glance at him
from behind her firescreen, and leaned
her chin against its edge to gaze with
puzzled eyes into the fire.
"Of course, you're awfully glad of the
stepT she said, after a pause. and list
ened intently for his answer.
Yes. 1wfully-I suppose"
The response seemed satisfactory,
and required little cogitatiOn before
the next remark.
"Ah, wellv' she went on, leaning far
back In her chair, and turning her head
in the shadow to watch him. Il shall
lose a friend! You are sure to marry
some one now you are in position to
do it"
II shall marry nobody" said Thorne
decidedly, laying his cap on table be-
side him; and Mrs. Vavasour smiled
triumphantly to herself as she heard,
and watched the stubborn lines come
about his mouth.
Dear old slmpleton," she thought,
"he thinks he's betraying nothing
Then came a silence, while Thorne be-
gan to bite moodily at his mustache
once more, and while Mrs. Vavasour
looked on with troubled sympathy in
her bright eyes.
"Dick," she said suddenly, tell me all
about it. Who is she?
about whatT' he asked looking UP
quickly. There isn't anyhow on
earth did you know"
You goose, you've been telling me
for the last ten minutes"
"I? l never said"
81 didn't say you said anything; all
the same, you have been telling me. Go
on now, I want to help you"
Her voice trembled as she spoke, and
she stretched out a hand to him. He
clasped 1t for moment, while a look
of perfect trust passed between them.
.Well, you see," he began awkward
", looking into the fire once more, Il
happen to know it was all her doing"
What WASP
"This Vancouver business"
do explain little"
'It was old Donaldson who told me-
he had no right to, of course-when he
offered me the ship, that she had suG
gested 1t to him."
"She? Whor
His daughter-Cicely, you know"
.'Of course l know-he hasn't another.
But what" in astonishment, .1s that to
nope about"
Don't you see? She has got me sen,
out of the country altogether"
mice, gracious spirit to take things
in, upon my wordw commented his
friend. with suspicion of a sniff.
"Might I ask what put that idea int
your headT
''Oh, there's another chap-chap with
title and money and things" vaguely.
".asedsome chap, too." lugubriously.
-Did you make love to her"
eEo."
"Then what makes you"
"She saw it coming, 1 suppose. l
suppose looked it."
There was a pause, during which
they both looked into the glowing Goals.
Did you even make love-really-tO
q woman?" Mrs Vavasour asked curl
ously.
NO" answered Thorne, with a shake
of his head; and Mrs. Vavasour gave a
little nod that said plainly, Il thought
sor'
"And don't you think you are jump
ing to conclusions ratherY' she asked.
No" Thorne answered. shaking his
head again. lies much more likely
fellow to please her than l am. and
'twould avoid complications to keep me
out of the way" he added bitterly. ''for
her father would quite possibly take
my part"
Il think you are making her out as
acting in an abominable manner" said
Mrs. Vavasour, with spirit.
Not at ALL" he rejoined quickly. Il
dare say she's little sorry for me, and
besides she's procured me my captain