Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-01

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even know have taken my passage. He will
| be so pleased when he sees me-poor Jack!
She said his name softly, half to herself
you should have told him you were coming,
said the Colonel harshly. "It isn't fair to take
a man by surprise"
mot fair?"
Il mean, he won't have anything ready. Poko-
ko is an out-ofthe-way place. He will be living
as bachelor-have nothing in his house fit for
his wife You will be disgusted with everything,
and that's bad start"
"Oh but I shan't mind. The worse everything
is the better, for then ! shall be able to alter it
all and show Jack what a difference a wife
makes"
Suppose he isn't there at all!"
That is possible, Of course; but then much
the greater the surprise when he comes back
from tour to find his house made to look home
like"
Have you ever thought that he might be
nlT
mo; why should I? Why do you ask me such
question and look at me like that? Do you
know-have you heard anything Her face
blanched, and the smile faded pitifulIy from her
lips.
''No I've heard nothing about his health, but
-" The Colonel looked gloomilv at the river.
"How old are YOU" he asked abruptly.
"Twenty-four"
lipN iOHk nave you Dttn IndTTltu1
-Four years"
"You married very young. In England, I sup
pose?"
"No we were married in Madras. We lived
there for two years It was very hot, and 1
couHn't stand the climate, so Jack sent me
home"
"You haven't seen your husband since?"
mo" with sigh.
"Mrs Hanbury.' said the Colonel earnestly,
"forgive me- I am old enough to he your father
and | know something of life. Let me give you
piece of advice. Don't take your husband by
surprise"
"Why not?"
There are hundreds of reasons. Life is too
short, changes are too sudden in this country
for anyone to dare to calculate even a few
hours ahead. Nothing ever turns out as you
anticipate, and then the disappointment is all
the harder to bear. If anything happened, if
you did not meet your husband as you expect, what
could you do lonely English girl in place
where there isn't another white woman? /
landing this afternoon at Pagan. Come on shore
with me. I can make you fairly comfortable
at the bungalow. You have your own servants.
wire can be sent to your husband, and he will
join you there in few hours"
Mrs. Hanbury shook her head.
at can't be-" she said 81 am sure YOU mean
well, but I shan't let you spoil my little plot.
Besides what should I gain? I shah have to go
to Hokoko IN DAY or TWO, and JACK won { be
able to make any alterations or preparations"
There something in her tone that show
ed she considered the subject at an end. The
Colonel did not urge the matter He got up
on the further deck. Once again. as later in
and walked thoughfuly backwards and forwards
on the furthrer deck. Once again, as, later in
the day, he bade her farewell, he held her hand,
and begged her at any rate to send telegram.
He received decided negative
"After ALL" he thought as he turned and
looked back at the slight, girlish figure he had
left standing the deck, "after all, it's no
business of mine Why should l worry my
foolish old head about it? I shall probably do
more harm than good; and yet, she is SO young
and pretty"
He jumped on the little Burmese pony that
was waiting for him, and the next moment was
galoping down the road to the telegraph of
fee. Whether for good evil he could not
say, but he had made up his mind, and a few
minutes later telegram was on its way to
Jack Hanbury, warning him that his wife was
coming to him.