The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1903-01-30

Wl6uSU bAo uSSA ~ 6AVSA svCAAS ~ -.--- U
thought. Again she covered An -
ward pause. 'Dear me, I woe
where Ruth is this very minute. !" G
"When I saw her last, dancing
young Ransome. A harmless you4rgoy
assure YOU" he added whimsicallAll.
Mrs. Burns made a motion to
"Don't go, please, until have st ~. 4.
thing must tell you before we lament
It was coming. The guilty chapkton
closed her eyes figuratively and
pared to take the plunge. She We =
pledge her aid and give 1t. 80
Leslie per-
She started. Five years had pa9 at
since she had heard that name from !,
lips. Vaguely she wished he had ct
menced some otner way: .,4.. the
do you remember when father d
me abroad? l was fresh from colle
not much more than boy. l knew
tie of life-women least Of all. My -
periences abroad with fellows Ill da
first bewildered and then fascinaI -
me, and when father wrote mig ~
make another year Of 1t was ";
with delight. -
"But you remember I wrote to yce--
regularly. l supposed you understotOO. .
When read of your coming out. I " "a
tem endously proud. think orders
lilies of the valley for you by cable.
remember, too, thinking that VIII
you'd had season Of that sort Of thin.
and I'd finished my 'jaunt we'd set,n.
down and be-very happy. I new
dreamed that you were waiting
me to say so. thought 80 clever q g.
as you could read between the lines
my letters, and somehow wanted =
hear a certain little word from yoa
own lips"
The woman at his side started I
speak, but he waved her aside III
crimson glow of his cigar had turnfo
to gray ashes, but he still clutehed
between his fingers.
1.-The letter announcing your en&4g
ment reached me in Madrid. rye hevs
been in the God forsaken hole sine,
When reached America, you and you
husband had gone abroad. For Z yea
I tried life on the street, but could nc
stand for it. Then tried shooting lion
in Africa and tigers in India. ThaI
went better than fleeing lambs fl Wal
street. I was visiting with q night
good fellow on Curzon's staff when
heard-quite by aocident-that yoi
were-free. Two days later I turnet
my face westward. did not intend b
stop In Paris-but you were there
thought-great heavens, how I hoped
you'd be glad to see me, but you wext
not And, Leslie" his tone was actually
commanding, Il want to know why"
The woman had been listening witt
bowed head, but with strangely hap
Ply light cleaning in her eyes Hesatat,
ingly, incoherently, she explained ha
conduct In Paris, in London and aboard
ship. Before she finished Hackett poe
sessing himself OF both her banda az
claimed:
"And you really thought it was that
child! Oh, Leslie, Leslie, couldn't you
read the truth In my eyesf',a- IN
Mrs. Burns suddenly recalled her du.s
ties as chaperon. She withdrew her
hands from his masterful grasp.
"How could I look you IN tho eYe
when l knew 1 was unfaithful DO the
trust imposed ON me by Mrs. Cuscad- .
DEM" {
The old piquant humor rang III her T
voice. She had risen. From the saloon /
came the decentralization OF light /
music. The deck was free from prone. t
naders. They were alone for che 1rse T
time in five years.
o
''Oh, what will Mrs. Cuscadden sayr"
Hacket bent over her to gather up
her wraps.
II really don't see that she has any.
thing to do with out little affair, providr
ed you return her daughter heart whole
and free from international entang1e-
ments," he answered joyously.
A shadow fell across the bar o6 nght
then another, and the figure Of 4 girl
was silhouetted against the brilliant in
terror Of the ship. p
Mrs Burns, where are you? We're
to have a good old fashioned Virginia /
reel to celebrate our last night on
board. Do hurry up! We have q part
ner waiting for your Up
Then as Hackett's dark figure sudden
" loomed up behind Mrs. Btnnb he 4
glanced mischievously at Ruth ard ex- !.
claimed, with happy ring of owner. n
ship in his voice: r4
wont do for her partner rather
think this dance is miner ;.
.4s