The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-04-07
CHAPTER XVII.

for the summer, papa"? asked I'm
ogen as they were all seated around
the cosy tea-table.
''In a few days. he answered in
an absent minded manner.
SIN few days?" Does that mean
five days. or a week or two weeks,
papa, dear? laughed ImOgen.
''Well, this is Monday, we shall
probably get off by Thursday of this
week." he answered.
1--WE shall have time for another
horse back ride, Mi IS Bennett, shan't
we? Ray was here this afternoon
and he wants Miss Bennett and me
to go riding with HIM and Captain
HazletOn tomorrow afternoon. By
the way, papa, where are we going
for the summer? Ray asked me this
question and l could not tell him.
Mr.. CamerOn's people are going to
Old Point Comfort for a month and
then to the mountain; of Virginia.
Ray was so much in hopes that we
would join their party" Imogen
said.
eff your mother is willing nave no
objections to the plan,'' Governor
Muriatte replied, thoug.. FULLY. Il
am in for having Il good time this
summer and don't care much where
we go so that l can rest.''
Papa said Imogen suddenly,
''are you not glad that your term of
office has expired?' and Imogen
looked thoughtfully at her fathers
pale face as she asked the question.
81 am not sorry, little one, ''he
said indulgently.
Neither am l." she returned, ''for
you are beginning to look pale and
Worn.''
Mrs. Muriatte glanced up quickly,
struck by the girls words, and her
eyes sought her husbands face.
1t did, indeed, look pale, and there
were lines in it that she had never
observed before, and which should not
have appeared there from age for
many years to come.
Her heart smote her, for her con-
science pointed to a cause for his
changed appearance, of which the
light-hearted Imogen knew nothing.
Tomorrow morning we may pay
the most important calls we owe, and
in the afternoon We will go riding,
and Wednesday we may attend to
our packing; then Thursday, no, no.
for Point Comfort!" and Imogen
having ratified off the weeks pro-
gramme in her breezy manner paused
for breath and to hear the approval
of her plans by the others.
That's right, Major General
laughed her father, "you know how
to plan and put your plans iuto exc
cution. also; and, now with your
mothers approval, Beaumont will
soon be closed for the SUMNER and
he glanced inquiringly towards the
foot of the table where Mrs. MUIR
riatte sat idly toying with her tea.
II have no objection she said in
a half-hearted manner which con-
trasted painfully with Imogen's
exuberant spirits. !.
Then it is all settled,'' cried Imo-
gen gleefully, won't we have love-
ly time, Miss Bennet?'
Miss Bennett, who had not taken
any part in the conversation, raised
her soft brown eyes and looking into !
lmogen's face, said with some
little hesitation: Certainly YOU will |
have lovely time, dear; but must !
ask TO be excused from Joining the |
travelling party. | shall spend my !
vacation this year with the dear
mother and sisters at ST. Josepb's
Convent
j
'All the smile fed from Imogen's
face and she exclaimed in a hurt
tone: "Why, Miss Bennett; Won
surely do not mean it?'' 1t would he
worse than no vacation at all to shut
your self up in convent. Then