The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-27

Continued from History-Flction Section

Preston, and outside towns and villages
she crashed along often at a ffty-mila
gait in her fear at being too late. And
then came the black cotton towns OF
and shrill-voiced children scramblng
over the streets. She had to slow to Il
crawl through these, and even then tho
tires skated dangerously over the creased
streets. But speed triumphed over time
and distance In the end. She swung ut
a rafting gait into Liverpool suburb.
and for the third time had her number
taken by an sIo indignant and
She glanced at her watch. With caro-
now. and IL no mishap blocked her pros
gress, She would be on the landing stage
before the mail-boat threw off her ropes.
now. She worned her way rapidly
through the increasing traffic of tho
Liverpool streets, and came to the land-
ing stage entrance.
of gratitude. A cabman took charge,
and with him also she left motor wells,
coat and gloves. and walked down onto
the landing stage fully conscious of neat
hair, a perfect frock and the Paris hat.
Carter was standing gloomily at the
bookstall with a chin that looked more
logged and hair that was redder than
ever.
.'Ah," she said lightly, fancy meeting
you here. Weren't you going by last
weeks boat?'
mo" he said heavily, this
Have you paid for your passage?"
Yes OF course. Why?
Because I'm afraid you Will waste IT."
He shook his head.
You had no cable from Las PalnlaHN
during the last two days?"
mo. Have you? What are you driv.
ing at?" There was something so pa
thetic in his brown eyes that she had
not the heart to drag out her explanation
any further. She pulled a letter, from
cd v,1nn nav
thumb and showed it to him. a
He put heavy hand down on the
bookstall and stirred the papers into
little heaps MY Cod 1h,n Laura n marr leg.
A Very indignant bookstall keeper bel
gan to make remarks, but Kate said,
.'Thank you Those are the ones l want.
sovereign" And then she put hand
on Carriers arm and led him outside the
"Well." she said. "have you decided
yet If you arc entirely broken-hearted?'
He thought minute. and then said
he, IT think my people will be glad when
Kate blushed rosy pink. ."'rhey are
"rhat." said Carter, sis what I was
isn't lsl,'ti a girl in ali Africa, Europe or
America who has been loved as dearly
rs I've loved you.' but CouluH marry
YOU, could I; till tho way was cleared.
Now could I?--here. let's get out OF thia
crowd, and hire n cab. and drive to the,
North Pole. or somewhere we can bel
alone to talk all this out. It's wonders
fui.''
"But what about your baggage?'
ooh, bother tho baggage. Whites
Man's-Trouble has 1t somewhere and
he'll jump overheard If he finds I'm not
on the ship. There's no shaking. off that
boy, Kitty dear, so Pm afraid you'll
have to take him along with me when
you cease to be Kitty ONeill,"
George do you know I've got great
secret for YOU I'm not Kitty ONeill
ut all. I'm Kitty Meredith"
"As a point of fact gathered that
from your father. From what old Capple
Image told mo. Major Smith, as he calls
i him, will be home in time to give you
away on your wedding day. But I
shouldn't trouble to call yourself Kate
Meredith, II I were you, sweetheart.
When YOU do practice a new signature
let 1t be Kitty Carter
Kate blushed again most dlvinely, AS
the deepest of secrets, let mo tell you
that l can write it quite we'll already.
though I have been desperately afraid !!
Should never have the luck to use It"
TEIn END.