Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-20
A Man Of Action.

luxurious deck chair. chatting to a mid
Ill aged lady who was induStriously
limiting by her side.
Lady Violet let her glance rest idly
on the white patch of tiat-roofed
houses that struggled from the shore
away to the higher ground.
Didn't that guide man say he would
take us up to see the market today?"
Mrs. Rollo field looked toward the
shore. and pointed with her knitting
needle to a boat that had just pushed
off from the little wooden jetty.
THAT looks rather like the creature.
doe sn't it?"
Lady vi rose from her seat and leant
over the taffrail.
Well l hope he'll be able to show us
something to distract our thought" she
said.
Mis-. Rollofield laughed.
My dear Violet. here you are a
young lady of title. absolutely your own
mistress. Il large fortune, and you sue
| coed in doing nothing but bore your
self! Why on earth don't YOU marry?
Whatever husband turns out eventu
| ally to be- he is. at least. temporary
diversion"
| Lady vi was gazing thoughtfully
out to sea. She turned to Mrs. Rollo-
| field with sudden look of resolution.
II will" she declared. Wen leave
| for Cairo tomorrow"
| a slight look of perplexity crossed
| Mrs. Rollofield's face.
| Cairo" she murmuerd, refiectively.
! "Oh. that's where that engineering
man has gone; the man who is forever
| engaged in big schemes" She paused
ana looked up at Lady vi. DO you
think YOU would like him for husband
dear"
He's man: does big things: is a
worker" exclaimed Lady vi.
| En- said Mrs. Rollofield retiec-
lively. Personally. ! should have pre-
felred the duke. | suppose he pro-
posed to YOU"
Lady Vi nodded thoughtfully
Then what's the matter with him."
continued Mrs. Rolloiield. II confess
| find him desperately amusing"
| That's just it-he is amusing and
rothing else. \ good looking idler who
has never done n useful thing in his
Gfe-too lazy even to be emotional.
You know how he fiirted with that
h. actually had the audacity to pro-
pose TO me the same evening that he
sat out five dances with her He re
marked that it was a pity, ana that he
would ask me again next week, |
settled it definitely by setting out with
the Yacht on this trip" She turned
round to Mrs. Rollofield And | tx
, pect I shall settle il still more definite
ly by my visit to Cairo"
. Did the worker-the man who does
. big things-get as far as that" asked
:: Mrs. Rolloiield. in mild surprise.
:: He didn't quite dare" said Lady
: Violet, with a soft laugh.
Il wish the duke had taken tn build
!. ing railways and damming Niles. and
that sort Of thing: but then, suppose
he wouldn't have been so amusing"
said Mrs. Rollofield with sigh
Come. Violet. here's the guide along
side
An hour later they We're in the Won
derful SokO at Tangier. being shown
round by the guide. They bought sew
era curios at fabulous prices. Lady
Violet was Just lingering a murderous-
looking knife when an exclamation
n from Mrs. Rollofield caused her Il
!. turn her head.
! She saw man. an Engishman
. dressed in naval uniform. watching
them with an amused smile from a few
yards distance. AS their eyes met he
strolled forward and saluted
Lady Violet was too much amazed
to speak for a moment. She dropped
). the knife on the stall. her eyes taking
: III every detail of the newcomers APP
pearance. Then she laughed.
This is absurd" she said
, Altogether" he agreed. 1T ap-
}, proa ches the grotesque."
Il set out specially in my yacht tc
escape you" she cried
:. '"'Tis not in lnortals to command sue.
= cess" he quoted; and the more de
- serving the end. the least likelihood
there is of its being achieved"
But my dear duke. why are yol
mcsquerading in naval Uniform
Mere accident You see, | got dowr
to Glib, and found my cousin. George
Alesham, was there. He's a servic.
man, in command of destroyer. II.
y ws,s doing run across here. anC
y volunteered to take me. on the way
: over we found the Straits a bit rough
a and | got my pretty clothes all wet anC
g spoilt. So Cousin George fitted me on
Il in some spare rig of his, and here
Y am"
, Mrs. Rolofield saw an opportunity
Ii You will have time to lunch on the
n yacht? We are just going back
! Shall | have time" he said with {
d good humored smile. old George is il
( the Continental now-I left him to or
:. der lunch
l. Il think you will have time. par
Il ticularly if the commander comes too
!, They can't sail without him. Mrs
Roltofeld said.
The duke went and fetched Cousin
George, who was agreeably surprised
- at the new arrangement. Then the
whole party went off to the yacht anC
had a very jolly lunch. Afterward the
comma nder stayed down in the draw
ing-r room and chatted with Mrs. Rollo.
field. So there was nothing else lef
for the duke and Lady vi but to &,
\ on deck
so you are really having a good TRIP
u enjoying YOURSELF"
Immensely" she cried with en-
thusiasm.
The duke puffed cloud of smoke
retec lively.