Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-08-06
Prisoners and Captives
$1,000
CHAPTER XVIII.-(Continued. J
BY II. S. MERRIMAN


my Dear Oswin--lf you want to car
~ out this tbeater party come and see
mo about it. l shall be at home all the
Wornny. Yours very truly.
agnes WINTER"
The young sailor read this letter among
other. ut the breakfast table. His faith
er aud sister were engaged on their own
aifsirs-IIelen with her letters, the adj
iniral among his newspapers Oswin
Grace read the letter twice. and then
slipped it into his pocket together with
the envelope that had contained it.
Miss Winters elderly maid servant ex-
pectcd Lieut.. Grace. for she opened the
door and stood back invitingy. He was
ushered up into the warm. luxurious
drawing room, and after the door had
been closed, stood for a few moments ir-
resolute in the middle Of the deep carpet.
Presently he began to wander about the
room, taking things up and setting them
down again. lie inhaled the subtle at
mosphrre Of feminine home refinement
and looked curiOusly around him. There
were hundred little personalities, little
inconsidered feminine trifcs that are only
found where a woman is quite at home.
There was a silly little lace handkerchief
utterly useless and vain. lying upon IA
table beside work basket. He took it
up. examined its texture critically, and
then instinctively raised it to his face.
lie threw it down again with a peculiar
twisted smile.
wonder what scent it is" he mutter-
cd. II have never come across it-any-
where else"
He went toward the mantelpiece upon
1t were two portrats-old photographs.
somewhat faded. One of Helen, the 9TH
er Of himself. lie examined his own like
ness for some moments.
Solemn little beggar," he said for the
photograph was of little square-built
midshipman with a long. oval face. Sol
rmn little beggar: wonder what the end
will be? Wonder why he is on this
mantelpiece? l think that | was rather
n fool to come here. Tyars would not
like it,"
While he was still following out the
train of thought suggested by this reaec-
ton the door opened aSd Miss Winter en-
tered She had evidently just come in,
for she was still gIoved and furred. =
"Ah!" she said, gayly. you have come.
was afraid that your exacting COM
mander would require your services all
the morning."
MY exacting commander" he answer
ed. RS he took her gioved hand in his.
has a peculiar way of doing everything
himself and leaving his sutordinates idle"
She was standing before him. slowly
u0buttOning her trinm little sealskin
Jacket.
What" she said. suddenly, "about the
expedition"
He looked back at her over his shout
der. for he had gone toward the window.
and there waa sudden gleam of deter
mination in his eyes. 1t was her nfiu-
ence that had disturbed Tyars' resolu-
ton.
What expedition?" he asked curtly. on
his guard.
This theater expedition" she replied
sweety.
oh, well. I suppose it will he carried
through. We all want to 90. suppose
you are not strongly opposed to it?''
'I?" she laughed lightly: ''of course
want to 60. You know that l am always
ready for amusement. prOftless or other
wise-prOfitless preferred Why do you
look SO grave, Oswin? Please don't
hate solemnity. DO you know you have
got terribly grave lately: 1t is"
ut Is what, Agnes?"
He was looking down at her with his
keen. close-set gray eyes. and she met
his glance for moment only.
Mr.. Tyars." she answered. clasping
her fingers together and bending them
backward as If to restore the circulation
after her cold walk.
There is something" said Grace after
little pause. during which Miss Winter
had continued to rub remarkably rosy
little pair OF hands together. that jars.
Tyars annoys you in some way. Why"
Miss Winter changed color. She look
Cd very girlish with the hot blush fading
slowly from her cheeks She did not,
however. make any answer.
Wont you tell me. Agnes?" he urged
and az he spoke he walked away from her
and stood looking out Of the window.
They vera thus at opposite sides Of the
room. back to back. She glanced over
her shoulder. drew a deep breath, and
then spoke with an odd little smile which
was almost painful.
His Arctic expedition" she said, de-
iiberate!y. III he is going to spend his
life In that sort of thing l would rather
-not-cultivate his friendship"
She leaned forward, warming her hands
fcverlshly breathing rapidly and uneven.
iy. She felt him approach for his foot
steps were inaudble on the thick carpet
and she only crouched a little lower. AT
last, after a horrid silence, he spoke. and
his voice was deeper and singularly mo-
notonous.
why should you not wish to cultivate
his friendship under those circum
stances?"
Because" she answered lamely, ~
should hate to have a friend of mine-s
real friend-running the risk of such q
horrible death"
He walked away to the window again
aud stood there with his hands thrust
into his jacket pockets-plucky. self-con
tanned, taking his punishment without q
word
That" he said as the worst of max
Ing friends One is bound to drift away
from them. But still it is foolish TO hole
aioot on that account"
Our maritime philosopher" she said
will now expound a maxim. Ex-pound
Derivation-to pound out"
Shall get the tickets" he asked. il
a practical way.
sDIao>a"