The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-04-02

self and him, whereupon she was still
more disagreeable to every one else.
But a tiny cloud began to float across
her blue sky. The flowers and sweets
were many and arrived regularly, and
when they wanted Proctor at the adju-
tant's Office they sent for him to the
Strongs. And yet, though the week Of
her visit was drawing to close, he was
no nearer to lovemaking than upon the
first day. She grew a trihe uneasy. 1t
was not that she wanted Proctor, but
that she wanted to know she could have
him. So she condescended, in the dilem.
ma. to speak to her host. "Mr. Proctor
is desperate 6irt, don't you thinkY' she
asked. 1t was meant to be light, but it
was shade anxious.
That would have been Strong's chance
to have put an end to a joke that was
going too far. 1t had got away from
them, and the man to stop it refused to
arise. Strong funked. He looked mean
and said that he had never known Proc,
tor to tiirt. "He is swathed in red tape,
as general thing has notions of duty
and the rest of it." Then he went off
and swore at Proctor in his own breast.
Which is human nature.
Proctor for his part swore at every
body else openly. 'I'm SO far in It now
that don't know how to get out" he
said. And they grinned and suggested
that he tell the truth and shame the
devil.
And feel more Of a confounded ass
than do now"
Consider; you are avenging u.s." cooed
the bachelors.
He said rude things about them. They
asked what he would like them to do.
"Shall we come in body the next
time you are en- tete-a-tete and explain,
or shall We do it while you are absent
and can't defend yourself? Any way
you put it you will look good deal Of
cad, you know" They chuckled.
Proctor sulked. Mrs. Strong has got
to do it." he announced.
Mrs. Strong won't. She feels about
with the look of stage consprator. You
might draw off gradually" they advised.
Il might make qualified fat of my.
self" said Proctor. 1--WE done it as it
is" He departed to keep an engagement
to walk around the island with Miss
Hadley.
When they started. be made the SOL
emn resolve that before they got to the
quarantine station she should know all,
but she swung into the post -blssfulIy
ignorant as she had left II. He had
funked again.
And at this point fate came to his aid.
They sat on the steps of the Strongs'
quarters resting, when an orderly brought
a telegram for him and box for Miss
Hadley. The box contained violets, Proc
tor was pleased to think what those little
attentions were costing the other bach
elors. but he glanced at his own card ly-
ing in the purple fragrance with loathing.
Then he opened the telegram and put it
hastily in his pocket.
Miss Hadley asked what it was. He
said that it was from some one he had to
meet at the train tomorrow.
(which tramp said Miss Hadley,
1.-The train from the east" said Proc.
tor.
She told him that she, too, was going |
to the city on the early boat. for few
hours "We may strike the same one
coming back"
He thought it would probably be his
unmentionable luck.
And it came to pass as Miss Hadley
had predicted. They struck the same
boat. She came aboard hurriedly. just
as the gangplank was being drawn in,
and she looked about for Proctor. calmly,
as though he must, of
course, be there. But he was not to be
seen. So she stood and talked to group
of post people, as the boat swung out
into the bay and the foggy wind blew
stflly about them. She was not sensi.
tive, yet she was dimly aware that they
were civil beyond their wont: even there
seemed vague sympathy in their man
ner. But she was busy and abstracted,
for Proctor. He might be be-
low deck or in the cabin.
At length he appeared from the other
side of the deck. walking with-another
girl. The girl glanced at her with half
smile. She was so pretty that Miss Had
ley's lips set, and she forgot what she
had been saying.
Proctor and the girl strolled to the
stern and stood there. Then Proctor
caught Miss Hadley's amazed eye, and
he raised his hat: But she beckoned. 1t
was assurance. to say the very least. but
he went to her. leaving the other girl.
ne bIoup Woulu nave Deeu Eluu 10 melt |
away. but some way 1t couldn't.
Then Miss Hadley's admirable and per-
feet cool cheek reached its zenith. "Who
S your pretty frend?" she asked. Brum.
mel could not have been more superb.
There was a pause. Some one might
nave helped Proctor out. but no one did.
A snicker came from the group and turn
ID into q cough. Then the man In
Proctor came to his aid. the realization
hat it was all everybody else's fault,
Hadleys, in particular.
He looked at her in stern reproach.
She's my wife, Miss Hadley."
The very winds and the screw were
lushed. In the silence Proctors eyes be-
,an to shift. But Miss Hadley's own
we're on his face, and they never waver-
d. Somewhere in their limpid depths
here was twinkle. About the corners
+ her mouth there was an Enthusiastically
unused twitch. She raised bunch Of
iolets to hide it. They were the ones
hat had come the day before. He NOV.
d uneasily and met the eyes peering
bove the flowers again. This time they
eld him.
81 wonder"-Miss Hadleys voice came
lowly, with a dstinctness that must
ave penetrated even to the stern-T
'onder whether it Is or you-all, who
eel the most cheap? Take me to meet
our wife, Mr.. Proctor"
And he took her.-Argonaut.
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