Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-03-28

room laughing, ana the next morning
forgets her"
snow, there is Ben Quigley, of the
army" she continued. Do you know
him?"
"Quigley?" he repeated. "Well-yes
slightly"
"And what sort of a man is hep"
Quigley grew red; tried to turn
the conversation; he laughed a sickly
laugh and lit cigar. Il would rather
not express an opinion" he replied,
family. Il have met him often, ana
think he is something of aman."
You do? Well l think he is a
|scoundrel. Think of the way he treat
ed Mabel Young. 1t was a perfect
shame. Everyone knew they were en-
gagged. And just as all thought the
wedding was to take place before the
holidays off he goes to Venezuela.
When he came back he dropped her
completely. If l were her brother or
father l would take a stick and go
after him"
Mabel Young! Mabel Young! The
name spoke volumes to him. He had
known the girl. Had gone with her on
moonlit nights to parties, picnics and
the like. But he had never loved her,
never offered his hand, never proposed
marriage. What was she to him? In a
iaunty way he had taken her sailing.
When the hours were dark with night
be had slipped his arms about her.
YES" he said, Il have heard some
thing about Miss Young and her
lover" If the sun had been shining
Miss Spraggins could have seen the
blush on his face.
L have heard that he is very hand
some" continued Miss Spraggins. you
have seen him? Is he good looking?"
That staggered him. What could he
sayf If he said that he was, and Miss
Spraggins should find out all about the
duplicity, she would think him a con-
temptible cad.
who told you all these things?" he
asked quietly.
Dora Kelly. You know she always
keeps up with such affairs. You know
Dora, of course?"
Yes. i remember her quite we'll"
His mind reverted to little girl in the
long ago with rather pretty hair. The
fact was that when Quigley and Dora
were in pinafores, the two were very
much in love.
The conversation at this period was
becoming quite personal, and Quigley
longed to escape. Before Miss Sprag-
gins could begin questioning him fur
Their the dinner bell rang.
WAS man ever in such predica-
ment?' he unused, while supping his
soup. 81 have been a authenticated
fool. / should have registered under
my own name. 1 cannot tell her who /
am now. The game has been played
too strong and the race is too well on.
Ye smoking herringsl Tomorrow I
will leave for Washington"
In the morning he packed his bag
gage. But when the porter came to
take it away he revoked the order. He
could not leave Durant without having
a promise from Miss Spraggins. But
how was he to proceed? She was dis
tant; she was critical; she was any
thing but summer girl. She COM
binc1 all the sasons. At times she
was as cold as a Texas wind; again she
was as soft as a Dakota valley in June;
then from her eyes he had seen evil
dences hundred times that she was
holding back-shielding herself be-
cause of her environment and religion
against tire passions of the BODY that
know no license and recognize no law.
law.
Two weeks had passed, when one
morning she met him. Il have a party
here, and we are going to bowl. VIII
you come along? You might as well.
know you now, and your name is not
Hines. Come along, 1 wish to talk with
you"
ut was for army purposes" he said.
lightly. Il never wished TO sail under
an assumed name. Sooner or later 1
would have told you of my real identity.
AT best, you may call it joke"
"A joke The very ideal" she
laughed, merrily. And have further
news to tell you" she continued. Miss
Dung will be here tomorrow. And
between her and Mrs. Fielding, how are
you going to get along? Oh, YOU
needn't blush. I've seen YOU and Mrs
Fielding when you least expected 1 was
W. nave lluUC love TO
her, too; don't deny it,"
Please, please spare me-" he ex-
claimed. Then he added, more earnest
"; Cant you see that love you
that | have loved you since | first saw
you. Tell me, willyou not be my wife?,
is this simple fancy of an idle man.
Or do you mean what you say?" she
asked
Il mean what 1 say. / came here on
hunt for deserter in the army. /
registered under an assumed name. not
because | expected any gain from do
ng such thing. l have known Miss
Dung for years, and / have visited her
'ften. But never have / made love to
Ter or have | even kissed her. | love
'ou; you are essential to my well being;
you must become my wife,
"Oh, stop that" she said. 81 will
marry you, for love you. But mind. | |
10 not cOQlnna Vnnr