The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-04
A West Indian
Romance.

all that are needed to bring about rove
affair between two young people, there
was a good chance, 1t seemed, OF having
1t verified in this case.
But the girl, even though she had lived
most Of her life apart from the great
world was not one of those women tnat
lose their heads or hearts when young
man looks at them. She liked Ralph very
| much, but at present 1t did not go pc
You'd that with her. She could see nm
whenever she wished. and had no idea
what 1t would be to have him absent LOT
time The feeling that she had SHOWN
at the time of the shooting she had not
been conscious Of in the least and IL mad
passed unnotced by the others:
AS for Ralph, no considered her the
most loyable woman that he had ever
met, but then his experience with wo-
men had been small. and he had not the
coura ge to tell her of the feelings whlcn
were fast getting the better OF nm. he
saw, or thought that he saw, that she
looked upon him merely as a pleasant
COMPANION, a most useful person on the
plantation, and. in truth, he did not re-
nlize how deeply his own feelings were
engaged until one morning after ne nao
finished moro than six months OF his stay,
and had Just come in from his morning
inspection.
He found Mr.. Montague and Kate on
the veranda, the former in his usual posi-
ton, looking over the mail. which had
that moment arrived.
The girl had taken up her letters and
seated herself in shady corner. Sud.
denly an exclamation OF surprise ana
pleasure broke from her lips.
Papa, dear" she said.
Eyes, Kate, what Is it?' was the rather
absent-minded reply
II have a letter from Marie de la
Touche."
"well, what of it7''
tShe wishes mo to make her visit
to stop two months with her"
Jennings felt as though cold hand
had been placed over his heart. Two
months away! How could he stand III
Does she. indeed? Let me see. sho
lives
'In St Pierre. Martinique
"And you will GOT"
Certainly
''When?'
II think next week"
Very we'll. my dear. You ar. your
own mistress. We shall miss you very
| much shall we not. Jennings?"
Ralph's mouth felt dry and parched.
| and 1t was with an effort that he man
| aged to make an affirmative reply
| Fortunately Kate was so delighted with
| the idea Of her visit, and her father so
| anxious to return to the perusal of his lot
| tiers, in which he had been interrupted
| that neither OF them noticed his agitation.
| He stepped quietly down from the
| veranda, and wandered aimlessly away.
| Two months! he thought to himself.
| She had become so much part Of his
| daily life, that when the prospect rose
before him of losing her for even that
| brief time, 1t seemed like an age. To
| 20 on with his daily round Of duties, and
| return without her welcoming smile. OF
| interested questioning. To sit on the broad
| veranda Of an evening quite alone. or with
| Mr.. Montague-an agreeab BILE man-bus not
| Kate! He had to confess to himself that
( he had become accustomed to leaning
| upon the girls judgment In some Of the
Enotty problems that confronted his mex
| perIenced path, and which were likely
| to increase just at this period. when so
! much new land was to be taken over for
| planting.
He sat down on the edge Of the high
| bluff in the shadow Of tree, and looked
! out over the great valley and silver col
| ored river below him.
| The stream ran placidly below him, and
| he could see the form of his shipmate,
] seated quietly on the deck of the brig
! in tho shade OF the awning, calmly read
| ing. Everyone Seemed happy and content
ed except himself. and the prospect was
1 not inspirlting. Well, 1t must be boNle as
| best 1t could, but should he speak then. or
| wait till her return? If she did not love
! him. but was only interested In his sue
| cess as 1t affected the plantation, such
| action would be fatal, and he had not
/ had enough experience with women to
judge whether 1t was So or whether she
cherished a warmer. deeper feeling.
The young mans feelings We're not to
| be envied. ncertainty iUs harder to bear
than certainty. even though the latter
| be against ones cherished hopes. He bit
! tho stem OF the briarwood pipe which
/ he held between his teeth as he meditated
| on his course but 1t failed to aid him in
solving the difficulty before him.
"Counfound It," ne ,nuttered to him
self. II used to have some girls and be
able to decide things myself but am
fairly stranded now"
| At this moment there was a light step
| behind him. and the sweet, clear voice
Of Kate broke in upon his revery, making
| him jump to his feet with start. while
| the color deepened upon his already sun
| tanned face.
you are a deserter!' she exclaimed,
smiling at him. "sit down and I will
| Join you. What do you think 1T my
proposed visit9 You left us before
| could ask you. Do you not think 1t
charming of Marie to ask me?"
IT have not the pleasure of knowing
| her, but that sho is a gamer by 1t
am sure"
20, you flatterer" she cried with up
raised hands. but she was pleased never
! theless.
mot at all. The place will be deso>
late without you"
20. Mr.. Jennings! Why. there will be
papa"
She was quite woman enough to enjoy
leading him on.
"Papan' He uttered the word in a
tone that made her start. Papa is
not you, Kate-NTss Montague, should
say-no, Kate Are you blind? Do you
not see that love you? Do you think
that can have been In your presence
| all this time and not have fallen VIC
| tim? How Cunningham could haye with
stood your charms do not see, O. Kate,
Kate, is there no hope for me?"
Ills eyes wero full of passionate APP
peal as he held out his arms to her.
The girls gaze fell before his burning
looks, She had not expected this, and
strange thrill ran through her frame.
,tr,1I ~. l..