The Glenwood post., 1907-03-09
room was booked before 1 came over.

an SolhS udy dltel loLloilo".
Il guess we exiles shall have to char
ter steamer" laughed Manning. III
you are DONE Miss Howard, shall we
go?'
She left the table with relief. Some
how Roper's attitude of complacent
satisfaction was positively hateful.
She had always liked him before.
Down in her heart of hearts she had
vaclllated between the two men ever
since her coming out ball. Her prefer
ence had been for Roper until now but
at present Toms mercurial tempera-
ment suited her mood better, and she
was glad that she had met him first.
Since Frank has refused the re-
quest, may l take 1t up?" he asked as
they parted at the hotel. Il may be
able to sandbag some unwary tour
ist and take his stateroom from him"
IF you only could!' she cried i'm
pulsively. Father is in poor health
and l am so anxious to get to him."
Can you sail at once" he as.el.
'Td like to go this m.nut :" III cr.rd
Consider 1t DONE - 81 d. " -
mock dramatics. Il will work tlc
sandbag persuasion this very day"
Madge went upstairs oddly comfot
ed by the assurance, though her selse
told her that Manning could not sue
ceed where Roper with his influence
had failed.
1t was with misgiving that she open
ed the note he sent her that evening.
but delighted cry escaped her when
a ticket fell out. She let 1t tiutter to
the floor when she read the letter. 1t
ran:
Dear Miss Howard-I am called out OF
town and am mailing these to you. You
| can fix 1t up when l see you in New
York. Hope you will have a pleasant
passage. With regards to your aunt
and yourself. THE SANDBAGGER.
Roper called that evening to explain
that he had heard of berth that she
might obtain four weeks later end
seemed much relieved to find that she
had been provided for.
Il should have offered you my room,"
he said. had 1t not been that it was
imperative that l should be in town
next week. We shall be fellow pas
sengers."
Madge could not arouse great enthu-
Siasm over this fact. A few weeks be-
fore she would have been glad. But
since the luncheon she had changed. 1t
was unreasonable to expect him to
give up his stateroom, yet the compla-
cent way in which he had dismissed
that possibility had irritated her.
1t was not as pleasant a trip as Ro.
per anticipated. Madge was pleasant,
| hut thpra was M chanca To ppt "a chat
with her, and they We're nearing home
before the opportunity came to put his
fate to the test.
He had regarded her acceptance as a
matter of course, and her prompt and
emphatic negative put him out of sorts
with himself. He did not come near
her again until they lay off quarantine
and the steerage passengers We're be-
ing transferred to the Ellis island boat.
The cabin passengers were hanging
over the rail watching the odd charac-
tiers as they trooped on board the little
steamer. Roper leaned on the rail be
side Madge.
Suddenly he grasped her arm and
pointed to the gangway. isn't that
the richest joker he chuckled. There
goes Manning. He probably got strap.
ped and came over steerage because II
was the best he could afford. This is
rich"
In flash Madge solved the situation
Il am afraid" she said, that we are
occupying Mr.. Manning's stateroom.
That Is probably his reason for coming
third class. He knew how anxious
was to get home, and that is the way
he solved the problem. Had l known
1 should never have consented"
Ropers mirth changed to sickly
smile. II congratulate-Mr.M Manning"
he said as he turned away.
That evening Manning presented
himself at the Howards in response to
Madges note. Il was going to arrive
officially in couple Of weeks from
now," he explained sheepishly. 81 did
not want to see you two left alone in
London, and had to get back on big
deal l was working. I'm sorry you
saw me, though"
"Tm not" she said decidedly. ~
used to think you were Just a society
butterfly, and I'm glad to know differ.
emily"
| N'' WIN, he soiu iiShhiy oHis
l don't bring my business to s o'clock
teas, and 1 rather like the teas-that's
ALL"
"Just-the teas?" asked Madge mean
ingly.
"Do you mean he stammered.
yes" said Madge. "Since you are
afraid to appear to take advantage of
your action I suppose l shall have to
force you to propose"
at won't take much forcing" he
laughed. "Will you?"
Gladly" said Madge.
A Profitable Inheritance.
The boatman, stolidly bending to his
oars, looked up quickly and said, illus
! trisSiIaa 4 % tl,cr. ~ tho haat