The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-11
CHAPTER xvIII.-(Continued.)

~ out this theater party come and see
me about it. shall be at home all the
morning. Yours very truly,
AGNES WINTER"
The young sailor read this letter among
others at the breakfast table. His faith
er and sister were engaged on their own
affairs-Helen with her letters, the ad-
miral 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 invitingly. 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. He inhaled the subtle at
mosphere of feminine home refinement
and looked curiously around him. There
were a hundred little personalities, little
lnconsidered feminine trifles that are only
found where woman is quite at home.
There was a silly little lace handkerchief
utterly useless and vain, lying upon
table beside a work basket. He took 1t
up, examined its texture critically, and
then instinctively raised 1t to his face.
He threw 1t down again with peculiar
twisted smile.
Wonder what scent 1t u.s." he mutter-
ed. Il have never come across it-any-
where else"
He went toward the mantslpiecs; upon
1t were two portraits-old photographs,
somewhat faded. One Of Helen, the 9TH
er Of himself. He examined his own like
ness for some moments.
Solemn little beggar," he said, for the
photograph was of little square-built
midshipman with long, oval face. SOL
emn little beggar; wonder what the end
will be? Wonder why he Is on this
mantelpiece? l think that l was rather
fool to come here. Tyars would not
like it,"
While he was still following out the
train OF thought suggested by this re1ec-
ton the door opened atd Miss Winter en-
tered. She had evidently just come in,
for she was still gloved and furred.
"Ah !" she said, gayly, you have come.
| was afraid that your exacting COM
niohuoA "ouiu HSQuiIo your seENlceb al
the morning"
my exactins commander" he answer
ed, as he took her gloved hand In his,
has peculiar way of doing everything
himself and leaving his subordinates idle. "
She was standing before him, slowly
unbuttoning her trinm little sealskin
jacket.
What" she said, suddenly, about the
expeditionf"
He looked back at her over his shout
| der, for he had gone toward the window,
and there was sudden CLEAN Of deter
mination In his eyes. 1t was her inAu-
ence that had disturbed Tyars' resolu-
| ton.
what expedition?" he asked CURLY, on
his guard.
This theater expedition" she replied
sweetly.
"oh, well. suppose It will be carried
through. We all want to 60. suppose
you are not strongly opposed to itf'
1T" she laughed lightly; 'of course /
want to 20. You know that am always
ready for amusement, proftless or other
wise-proftless preferred. Why do you
look SO grave. Oswin? Please DON'T
hate solemnity. Do you know you have
got terribly grave latelyi 1t lie"
"It Is what, Agnes?"
| He was looking down at her with his
keen. close-set gray eyes, and she met
his glance for a moment only.
"Mr. Tyars," she answered, clasping
her fingers together and bending them
backward as II to restore the circulation
after her cold walk.
There Is something" said Grace, after
a little pause, during which Miss Winter
had continued to rub remarkably rosy
little pair Of hands together, shat Jars.
Tyars annoys you In some way. Whyr'
Miss Winter changed color. She look
ed very girlish with the hot blush fading
slowly from her cheeks. She did not.
however. make any answer.
won't you tell me, Agnes?" he urged
and ~ he spoke he walked away from her
and stood looking out of the window.
They were 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-
liberately. IF he is going to spend his
life In that sort Of thing would rather
l-not-cultivate his friendship"
She leaned forward, warming her hands
fsverishly, breathing rapidly and uneven.
~. She felt him approach, for his foot.
steps were inaudible on the thick carpet
and she only crouched little lower. Al
last, after a horrid silence. he spoke, and
his voice was deeper and singularly mo
notonous.
why should you not wish to cultiyat.
his friendship under those circum
stancesr
Because" she answered lamely, 81
should hate to have q friend Of mine-s
real friend-running the risk of such q
horrible DEATH"
He walked away TO the window agar
and stood there with his hands thrus
into his Jacket pockets-plucky, self-con
tained, taking his punishment without 1
word.
That" he said. els the worst of max
ing friends. One 10 bound to drift ava.
from them. But still It ID foolish to holt
aloof on that account"
"Our maritime philosopher" she said