The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18
CHAPTER XVII.
A river Trip aud it's Conscancnccs.

Jack. came early the next morning.
and olive told him OF Selma Ham
mond's disappearance His first incli-
nation was to smile at the whole Incl
dent You've been spoofed by that
girl, olive" he said. she was fraud.
ard meant to work on your feelings
until chance came to get something
out OF you.
"Why has she disappeared. then?"
probably she couldn't help herself.
rh. whole thing is fis,is--;hat pocket
picking episode, her tears. her vague
tale. and ali of it. it won't hold water.
grille" he said.
strange that we take such dit
ferent view of the matter; but. then.
saw her and you did not. put down
the disappearance to the Merridews.
replied Olive, with an air of conviction.
well, we shall have lots of time to
talk 1t all oyer to-day" said Jack
lightly. I've come to take you up the
river couldn't get away Yesterday;
tho chief kept me close at 1t all day,
and want a breath of fresh air 20
make up for 1t. And so do you. Mrs.
Taunton has gone up to Henley. and
has left her launch at Windsor for us
to follow her. 1t will blow the cob
webs away.
olive was feeling depressed as the
| result OF her disappointment about
Selma and gladly consented
They ran down to Windsor by train
and started on the delightful journey.
/ II was perfect day for the trip, anu
olives spirits rose and the color came
back To- her cheeks in the fresh air
and glorious sunshine.
and now what about Mrs. Taun-
| ton?" asked Jack as they sat IN the
stern OF the beautiful launch and
throbbed their way up the river at
rapid speed.
IT haven't decided yet, Jack. can't
| bring myself to accept the invitation
i somehow. She was awfully good TO
me. and we discovered that an old
| friend of hers was relative OF my
| dear mother. No one could have been
sweeter; but-well--there was a put
| after ALL
He laughed. What. did she harp OIL,
| what told you-that you ought to
| marry me? I warned you she would
Eyes. She said good deal about 1t;
| but to tell you the truth she seemed
/ to put 1t such way that my own
view was all the stronger afterward.
."rhe deuce 1t was" he cried in EVIL
dent surprise. How do you mean?"
az don't know quite. She kept repeat.
| ing that 1t was the best thing that
frcOuld do, ana yet Wnen L Hao leiL hSi
4 the obstacles seemed infinitely bigger
/ than ever. She put them in such
formidable light, although she only
seemed to refer to them lightly while
I was with her But her words ranked
/ afterward. I can't explain 1t better.
.4Then Mrs. Taunton's offer is off" he
i laughed IT can't stand that. 1t mus,
/ be Mr.. Easements house, Olive
|; But that g almost the same thing as
/ giving In, Jack can't5do that. ! coult
| not do thing II were in CHAMPION
They discussed this very earnestly
and presently something slipped from
Olive which gave Jack a glimpse OF
/ the real reason which was at the bot
| tom OF her disinclination.
..You are not jealous of Mrs. Taun:
ton, dearje, are you?" he asked Sc
/ riously.
mo. 1t isn't exactly Jealousy. Jack
i But the more have thought about i
alone, the firmer has grownsm y belle
4 that she does not really wish our mar
rage. And. of course. can't think o.
/ any reason except what passed before
/ at Belborough. But I'm not jealous
because that would imply distrust o
/ You.
h .'Then you mean simply distrust o
her? Pm sure you're wrong there.
i IT suppose it is something like that
4 and yet I'm not conscious of any &C
tual feeling OF distrust. She was s.
kind in every way; and liked her.
.'Then. we'll leave 1t over, grille; a