Rocky Ford enterprise., 1907-12-20

Here had ! got myself into no end or
q mess. and most probably lost two
good friends. at least. not to mention
making myself utterly ridiculous. over
this confounded business. and all the
time ! might have guessed who was
the real offender. ! wished now that
had waited before casting suspicious
upon the hospitable captain and the
influential Mr.. Porter. both OF whom
would doubtless cut me dead In the
future. But. alas! when q man Is In
my condition. he Suddenly an idea
occurred to me.
VERY well. my fine fellow" I said.
thrusting the letter into my pocket.
I'VE shall see-what We shall see. He
who laughs first. laughs worst. This
will settle your little game. At any
rate"
Miss Mainwaring was at home.
made my way up to the dainty blue
and white shrine In which Kitty re.
ceived her most devoted worshippers.
] found her standing by small tea
table In the center OF the room when
! entered. ...
''Ah." she exclaimed. running to
meet me. II am glad you have comet"
Not more 30 than am" ] replied.
pressing her hand warmly.
"Oh. heaps!" she said saily. Il am
Just dying to hear the news. Have
you discovered anytbins?"
Il have" said !. taking n seat by
the teatabic. u have discovered ev
erythinE.''
She clappcd hcr hands dclightediy.
You dear old thing." shs cried. u
knew you would. Who was it?"
1T was that misguided nephew OF
mine" announced gioomiiy.
For n moment ! Thought she was
going to get up and dance round the
room. Then suddenly she became
grave. and III. light died out Of her
! eyes.
I OH" she remarked. 1T was Jack.
was it,
Yes" said !. "It was Jack
She poured out n cup OF tea and
passed II TO me. keeping her eyes nxcd
ON the tca.cosy the while.
| Then we talked about other matters
until II was time for me to no.
1
you for iakin. no much trouble"
1T was no trouble" ! assured her.
One must do the polite thing. you
know. at any cost.
| = can only hope" ! Continued. that
In time you will bc abi. tn forgive my
nephew for such an act Of srcss I'm.
pcrtincnec."
''Ah. ycs!- nhc answered warmly. u
think-ycr. I am really very .iad Il
was Jack
oh" I calculated sharply.
Rather than ono Of the others shc
concluded hastily.
".
| wandered diseonsoia,ciy In n less.
frcaucntrd part Of tho avenue tryins
To think things out. II ~as now close
upon u month since my last ,ctc.a.trtc
with Kitty. and during that time had
never once hccn able To catch her
alone. Indeed. on most Of the oeea'
sions when I called she vas out. a
piece of bad luck I had not hitherto
been accustomed to: and when did
Ind her In. she was either surrounded
by friends. ar engaged In elaborate
sewing Operations which ncerssi'a'cd
tho constant attendance of her maid.
Once or i~ioc. ton. I caught sight of
Master Jack In town. ~hcn by tho
calendar he ought 10 have been p1rsu
lag his studies: and the circumstance,
coupled with his obvious anxiety Il
avoid me. tiIcd my mind with vague
fotcbodinE.
what the deuce do~s l, m-sny-' !
asked myself. ~ ! s,roic along with
eyes ,honEh,fnilr hon, upon the
ground. regardless alike of passcfs by
and the people wh" would have passed
by had I no, coiiidcd with ihc'n.
cannonrd on an eminent, disni'ary
Of tho church. and ran full tilt aEains,
a smartiy dressed couple who were
dodsins round the episcopal back. u
could only SEQ the billowy cdsinE OF
1