Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-18

ter. Probably be was TO meet Bob in
London and, disappointed In not find-
ing him there. came on here"
But don't you see II Bob came In
the ship with that letter he would not
be here yot (unless he came overland
from BrindisD for another eight or nine
days. do not hesitate to say that
the last thing he would think OF would
be to come overland. but those who do
not know him so well might reasonably
suspect otherwise"
"Wellr' said Jim, his blue eyes look
Ing more puzzled than ever.
well" said my mother slowly and
very irnpressively, thought, what
make out OF II is this: That man did
not come by the ship which brought
the letter from Australia; otherwise
he would have known that Bob WAS
not here. But he believed him to be
on the ship and, specializing on the
chances Of his coming overland. gave
him time to get home"
But why should he believe that
Bob was on the ship and Of what i'm
portance was It whether he was or
not?'
Now you get beyond me-" she said,
"but 1 believe, why I cannot tell you,
that that man knew my husband was
coming by certain ship, that my hus-
band knew or this and FOR some rea-
son of his own changed his mind"
Dear child" said my uncle, you
weave quite a pretty romance. That
little head OF yours is full of surprises.
/ know a mystery is dear to q woman,
almost as dear as bit OF scandal, but
don't build too much on 1t or you will
be disappointed. The man had proba-
bly, done his business with Captain
Bob out In Australia. 1t might have
been a serious mining speculation
Ballarat, you know, is a great mining
center. II such is the case, what more
natural than that the man, hearing
Bob was coming by a certain ship,
should be anxious to see himT'
"why did he refuse to leave his
manner"
GAS he said, X was probably imma-
terial. I've often enough said the same
thing. Trust me, your husband will
soon turn up with glowing prospec-
tus In his pocket describing a marvel
ous property which is within easy
reach of Ballarat. 1 know those pros
pectuses. I've drawn up few OF them
myself, in which have described with
wonderful fidelity a reef or a region
have never seen. Believe me, your
husband Will presently blossom into di-
rector. possibly the chairman-if they
can't buy a lord-of the Great Ballarat
| Gold Mining company, of which your
mysterious foreign gentleman with the
strange eyes will most likely be the
| vender."
| Ny mother Immediately recognized
that It was no use arguing with him
when he affected that mood, and, dear
fellow as he was, she always avoided
the city in talking to him, for once set
| going on that topic he was a difficult
man to stop. So she went out to see
about some tea. and while she was
away he informed me that there was a
local Christy minstrel show In Maiden
head that night, for which he had two
| tickets, and that he had driven round
TO see II l would care TO &c. OF course
IL meant staying the night at his house
| but he would drive me over after
breakfast the next morning. Boy like
L jumped at the offer. though did not
fail to notice that my mother gave
her consent with just a little reluc,
tance-a reluctance which l know my
! uncle failed TO perceive. Indeed, II
was no unusual thing for me to spend
days together with him when
was home for my holidays. and 1 am
sure the thought that she might moi
want me TO go never for n moment oc.
I CURED to him.
fancied that she held me longer in
her arms than usual when the time
came to say goodby. Her great eyes
too, wore a sad, wistful look as they
met mine, and think now, as I pic
ture that scene afresh, that the strange
light which / noticed in them must
have been caused by unshed tears. And
though / knew no cause for tears ]
recoliect well that she touched some
point OF tenderness within ME and that
1 kissed her again and again, and that
even when half way down the little
path, moved by some unaccountable i'm
pulse, turned suddenly round, rushed
back to her and threw my arms about
her neck.
Come on, you baby" cried Uncle
Jim, who stood smiling by the open
gate, but as 1 passed him he laid his
hand affectionately on my shoulder
and saw a great gladness in his eyes
! He loved his sister no less than I, and
that formed a sweet bond Of sympathy
between the three.
Then / sprang into the cart, and On.
Gle Jim came tumbling after me. Saun.
ders, the aforementioned wizened old
man Of IA, let go the horses head, and
away we went. My mother, standing
in the porch, pretty, pathetic figure in
a white gown, waved US last fare
well.
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