The Forrest City times., 1907-12-13

Here had I got myself into 10 end os 8 mess. and most probably lost two good friends. a. feast. not 70 mention making myself utterly ridiculous. over this confounded business, and all the time I might have guessed who vas the real offender. ! wished now that had waited before casting suspicious upon the hospitable captain and the influential Mir. Porter. both Of whom would doubtless cut me dead in tue future. But, alas, when a man is in my condition, he Suddenly an idea occurred 10 me
 Very well, my fine fellow" I said. thrusting the letter into my pocket, we shall see-what we shall see. He who laughs first. laughs worst. This will settle your little game, at any r4te,"
 Miss Nainwaring was at hene. I made my way up 10 the dainty blue and white shrine Tn which Kitty re- eeiVed her most devoted worshippers l found her standing by g small tea table in the center o. the room when I entered.
 An" she exclaimed. running 10 meet ne. T am glad you have comet"
 Not more so than an, replied. pressing her hand warmly.
 oh, heapsl' she said gaily. T am just dying 10 hear the news Have you discovered anything?"
 T have said I. taking a seat b. the teatable T have discovered ev erything."
 She clapped her hands delightedly. You dear old thing" she cried. T knew you would Who was it?''
 It was that misguided nephew of mine" I announced gloomily.
 For moment I thought she was going 10 get mp and dance round the room. Then suddenly she became grave, and the light died out of her eyes
 on" she remarked, it was Jack. was it?"
 Yes, said I. it was Jack"
 She poured out a cup of tea and passed il to me. keeping her eyes fixed on the tea-cosy the while.
 Then we talked about other matters until it was time for me to go.
 Goodbye she said: and thank you for taking so much trouble
 It was no trouble" l assured her. One must do the polite thing. you know. at any cost.
 T can only hope" continued. that in time you will be able to forgive my nephew for such an act of gross i'm. pertinence"
 An, yes," she answered warmly, T think-yes. l am really very glad il was Jack"
 Oh" calculated sharply.
 Rather than one of the others" she concluded hastily
 W
 l wandered disconsolately in a less frequented part of the avenue trying to think things out. IL was now close upon month since my last tete-a-tete with Kitty, and during that time I had never once been able to catch her alone Indeed. on most of the occa- sions when I called she was out. a piece of bad luck I had not hitherto been accustomed to- and when I did find her in, she was either surrounded by friends, or engaged in elaborate sewing operations which necessitated the constant attendance of her maid. Once or twice. too, l caught sight of Master Jack in town, when by the calendar he ought to have been pursu ing his studies; and the circumstance coupled with his obvious anxiety to avoid me. filled my mind with a vague forebodng
 What the deuce does it mean?" asked myself, as l strode along with eyes thoughtfully bent upon the ground, regardless alike of passers-by and the people who would have passed by had l not collided with them.
 l cannoned off an eminent dignitary of the church, and ran full tilt against smartly dressed couple who were dodging round the episcopal back. q could only see the billowy edging of -~~s~-~~~-~.~---~~~~~-~~~-~~