The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-20

nearly so, and here am now, a batchelor
OF ~, caught fast in the tolls She is the
only woman / ever cared for. She is a
lady. too, and one that has known bet
ter days. BY jove, / admire her grit IN
going ia for typewriting Any chap
might be proud TO call her his wife. But
what's the use o. dreaming Of such hap
pinessl It's just the thing one wants
most in this world that one can't get"
This was philosophy. perhaps but IL
did not afford Mayne much comfort; his
love for Violet Carlton was too deep
rooted for that. He found a letter at his
rooms, summonina him home on mat
ter of business connected with the estate,
and the following morning he Travelled
down to the Midlands. Three days later,
after exchanging several kilograms with
his friend Hardy. he crossed country 10
Norfolk and Joined tho pleasure-wherry
Sunbeam at Wroxham. And when he had
greeted Mr.. and Mrs. Jack Hardy third
passenger was called on deck and intro
duced to him. lie was speechless for the
moment as he touched Violet Cartons
hand and looked into her amused eyes.
aIr. Mayne and / are not exactly
strangers" said the girl.
Did you know / was coming2'' Mayne
asked her, after tea.
Il think Gladys mentioned your name
in her last letter" was the demure reply.
Miss Carlton is an Did friend OF the
wife 81 Hardy explained TO Mayne, later
in the evening. She's very fine girl.
] assure You. Her people are all dead.
and he hasn't had too easy a time Of Il
She deserves lots of credit
She's a woman in thousand" Mayne
said, warmly.
The wherry was lying off South Wal
sham staith one afternoon, when. Ms,yne
opened his bag and looked at the proof
sheets OF The Touchstone OF Life" lie
felt bitter hatred and contempt Tor him
s5elf, bat there WIS no longer any doubt In
his mind. Love had won hirN the victory.
THANK goodness IN IL not too late ma
rejected. with such a black stain on
my soul should not dare ask that pure
sweet girl 20 be my wife. l will 60 10 her
Cleansha nded.
lie walked into the village befbre tca
aud wrote ana posted brief letter to
the London publisher, as result of
which he slept that night with an easter
conscience than ne had enjoyed for weeks
Late the following morning the Sunbeam m
crept down the Bure, ana towards even
ing, when a stm breeze was blowing. an
upward bound Yacht was encountered
near the bend by. Upton Mills The 1an-
ncl-Clad young men on board of her had
no hired hands with them, aud did not
understand their business properly ~ a
critical moment they made a wrong move
and a collision WAS only aVertcd by AN in-
stant shift II The Suuheem's great sail.
iiardys quick wsrnins shout confused
dodge the swinging boom N had struck
her tightly aud swept her on the narrow
deck.
The yacht luned safely 10 one side. and
the sunbeam damned her nose hard into
the opposite-lying bank. There was
hoarse cry and "a splash as Msync. with
out stopping 20 remove coat or shoes,
plunged into the widening gap of deep
brown water. lie divcd. missed the girl.
and rose 10 the surface to soc her strng
Cling within three yards OF him. H9lf
dozen frantic strokes ana ne bad caught
her arm a. she was on the point OF sink-
ing agniN Hardy pulled alongside the
spot with the dingy. and as quickly a.
possible transferred them 70 the sun
beam.
Mrs. Hardy assisted the half uncon-
scious girl % her cabin, md little lst-
er Mayne. his heart dlled With rreutide
az he tholght OF what might have bgen.
went below for a change ~ clothing. tJle
Yacht and her apologize crew went u1eir
way and the wherry kept on her course
To- Aclas Bridge and moored on the Angel
Inn
The next day was bright and mild-typ-
ioal June Wes thcr. Violet pleading Ia
usue, did not appear at breakfast A lad
from the Angel. who had been 70 the post.
brought the letters on board, there was
one Tor Mayne from the London pub
lisher and ne read IL with heartfelt relief
and satisfaction. He brought the proof.
sheets OF THE Touchstore of Life cut
60 tho saloon ~ hle. With the Intention az
riviur them the Nrai 10 isioD
iln had uof hseu inue - ppk Nhsn be
rsE ia'-rflffrd r Nicl-' 'sf.fou - RET