Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-01-03

take" he added, bitterly.
She looked at him intently. and he
felt sure that she knew the other side
Of the story-the side taken by Gladys,
whatever it might be. When he ques-
toned Francie, she admitted that
Gladys had told her something-that
they were mot suited to each other"
And that it was my fault?' he in
terjected.
She did not reply. but throwing the
last handful from her basket, turned
toward the house. He walked by her
side meditating. wondering what her
thought about him might be. Could
he have read them. he would have dis
covered some confusion in Frances
mind. The description given by Gladys
Harcourt of her daredevil lover, who
had won her consent to an engagement
more by the impetuosity of his love-
making after a weeks acquaintance
than by anything else. did not accord
quite with the bearded man of grave
demeanor and quiet speech walking
beside her. Possibly his mother had
declared him to have been the hand
soonest and most attractive boy in the
world. who would certainly have been
spoiled by her M friends if she
had not rescued him by sheer force of
will from their too pronounced ell
couragement.
Francie had imagined a ~good-looking,
conceited young man who took for
granted that every girl must be ready
to fall in love with him at first sight
an opinion which his method of intro
ducing himself to her seemed to have
justified.
OF his good looks there could be no
doubt, but the night before, while
she had sat listening to him, she dis
cerned in his conversation only a frank
and outspoken love for his mother.
and a natural eXhilaration at finding
himself once more at home. She be-
gan to think she had judged him hard
ly; her severity relaxed, and, when
they reached the house, they were on
excellent terms.
Fate and Mrs. Varying together con-
spired to further their intimacy. Nals
mother had a neuralgia attack and
remained in her room. so to Francie
fell the task of entertaining the young
man. They breakfasted together. then
went round the gardens. stables and
paddock. She knew every creature in
the barnyard. and they knew her-dogs.
cats, horses. not excluding the pigs and
+l,, ;,I ,I ~ , ~ +bD ,,a,1+,.,- w, ,1
all came hurrying to greet her at the
sound of her voice; she seemed like a
fairy princess in her own little world.
They lunched together, and then, at
Mrs. Waryng's request. Francie took
Val for a drive in her dogcart, He was
interested in seeing all his Ole haunts
again, but eyinced no desire to pay
any calls on former friends.
There will be plenty of time later
to look up the natives-just now l feel
a bit Off" he told her, and she under
stood his words bore some reference
to the tickle Gladys.
After dinner he fetched a portfolio
of snapshots. to show her the strange
places he had visited in his travels.
Among them was a photograph of his
former t%iancee. taken at the time of his
departure from home. He took it up
tented beauty of the face; then he
looked at Francie. How different vas
her fresh and natural charm from
that other-who, although five years
his senior. had unclaimed his boyish
heart. He laid the picture aside. and
with it went all regret.
The days slipped into weeks and
one afternoon Val found the girl in
her favorite seat near the window; she
was reading a letter. and he recognized
the writing
You have heard from Gladys:' he
said, as he sat down beside her.
Yes. She is in a hospital, training
to be a nurse" Francie answered.
she is well-and happy" he
queried.
"She says she is both: that she has
at last found her vocation, and never
with life"
AS he sat silent. looking out of the
window, she murmured:
Are you sorry. Nal?' she asked,
quietly.
He turned and looked at her.
Have | seemed as if I We're sorry,
here with YOU: You might help me
to be very glad!'
Meeting his eyes. she began to under
stand.
He laid his hand on hers and asked:
do you remember our first meeting,
Francie? What were you thinking
about then. when I found you here?"
L was thinking-well. l was thinking
what YOU would b. like
Her eyes Grooped-and then he also
understood.-New York Weekly.
A Complimentary Captain.
John d. Crimmins, in the New York
Times tolls of a Marty thar hired q