The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-11-17


Wilfrid. He shouted a greeting to me
long before the carriage stopped. Then
he sprang out and commenced hauling
his belongings after him-hat-boxes,
umbrellas, golf-clubs, etc.-as though
his very life depended on 1t.
Your pater's in a hurry" he explain
ed with his back to me and struggling
with portmanteau.
Yes, dear" papa called from the
depths of the carriage, I've had an
urgent summons, Lady Greene is
worse, I must make haste or they'll
get impatient and send for the vul-
tuTe.''
/ BY '.the vulture'' presume he meant
DR.. FELTON,, but before l could inquire,
the carriage vanished.
Then wilfrid turned TO me and we
shook hands.
by jove, Kate, how you've altered
Since-Since-
I'VE last met Wilfrid,' I laughed
back at him, "and improved? Do say
you find me improved l am sure you
must. for the last time we saw each
other l was wearing my hair in plat,
which YOU rudely called door-knock-
: er, do you remember? Now come, and
I'll give you some tea
Thanks I could do with some, +"
he confessed with a smile that made
his plain. freckled face quite attrac-
tive. But how about my traps?"
While l set his mind at ease on this
point, we walked round to where they
had laid tea for US on the lawn.
Now this is what I call rippingt'
exclaimed wilfrid, seating himself
comfortably and running an apprecia-
tive eye over the tea-table.
Yes, 1 love tea in a garden. OF
course, you take sugar, all boys-mer
do!'
While 1 poured out he gave an az
count of his mothers health and the
doings of his five sisters.
Il always have wonderful luck, YOU
know" he remarked suddenly, helping
! himself to cake. when the mater in
sisted upon my coming down here
must confess l didn't see the urgent
necessity of it"
THAT'S not altogether compliment
tary TO papa and me, you know, Will
frid' .
But I'm jolly glad now that I came,
in spite of-of-'
"of the fact that we're just two
prosy, sleepy. country cousins?'
"Now. you know Kate he protested
bIushins crimson, Il never meant that
But am deucedly Iucky-really
Your gardens ripping and I see you've
a tennis court. Do you play golf
much -
What about your books, Wilfrid? p
asked sweetly, remembering papa's in
junction about leading the idol into
/ better ways.
ooh, I've brought them along all
right he replied. but hang it, fell
low can't swat at books all day can
he?"
Then he grew suddenly thoughtful
and. for some inexplicable reason, very
; embarrassed. He had demolished a
plate of cucumber sandwiches and was,
I fancy. half through his third piece of
/ cake when this occurred-not that 1
wish to insinuate that was the cause
of his uneasiness.
GOT course the mater told you why
I've come down here?" he asked sud
denly. looking at his boots.
"She said you wished to get some
! reading done for your exam" re-
/ piled guardedly.
Rot" ne burst out, ST beg your
pardon, Kate. but that really is-rot!
! Its Renee, that's awhat it is
J This was a turn in the conversation
! had not in the least anticipated. L
! feiened ignorance.
! Renee? Who-who is Renee?'
"She is the girl Tam engaged to- he
J replied. initiating his chest, land the
/ sweetest and best
! DO have some more cake?"
/ Thanks. bur 1 still have some," he
! repiied. searching in one pocket after
another I'm sure l have one about
/ me-ah-here it is! This is Renee.
/ took the photo and looked at it.
Renee was decidedly pretty. 1 must
! admit. So much IS due to Wilfrid
Il hope you don't mind my-my talk
ing about herr" he said with an en-
gaging smile, you're so sympathetic
somehow. Kate. that fellow could
\ talk to you about-about things ne
wouldn't dream of-of--"
"Are you sure you won't have some
| more cake? Do
No thanks. What I mean is that
fellow naturally wouldn't talk aoout
his very private affairs to just anyone
Nav / tell you all about it,
7 sighed. But he did all the same
And Wnen papa CdiiIS oul ~ -
hour later he was still telling me-
Don't do that. Wilfrid, please!'
''It doesn't matter
YES it does indeed
No it doesn't Nothing matters.
Then I looked quickly up at him
IT was three weeks later, and was
sitting out on the lawn under the DIS
cedar. This was a new Wilfrid. his
EXPRESSION was lowering and black "a
! a th,,ndercloud I racked my brains
for an explanation. Then in hasf
7 remem bered he had received letter
Nv the first post.
why. wilfrid. what in the world is
! the natter?
He stopped kicking the cedar anc
looked at me gloomily.
ITS Renee!'' he replied. thrustins
his hands deep into his pockets
why. what is the matter with her
not ill. I hope?"
He laughed. but not as he generai'!
does. II sounded something IKE IN
Villains laugh in a melodrama. ana
think he meant it to.