The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1907-04-05
KennewickC Courier
Friday, April S, 1907


laughed sleefully.
II never permit such situation" be
said compiacently. My interests are
too large to admit OF a delay. My
loom was booked before I came sver
I am going day after tomorrow.
Il guess wo exi,es shall have to char
ter steamer laughed Manning. III
YOU are done. Miss Howard. shall We
go:'
She left the table with relief. Some
how Roper's attitude OF complacent
satisfaction was positively hateful.
She had always liked him before.
Down in her heart of hearts she had
yacillated between the two men ever
since her coming ont ball. Her prefer
ence had been for Roper nntii now, but
at present Toms mercurial teinpera-
ment suited her mood better. and she
was glad that she had met him first.
"Snce Frank has refused the re-
quest, may take it up" he asked as
they rarrei at the ho.el Il may be
able TO sandbag some unwary tour
list ant take his stateroom from him."
eff you only could!' she cried i'm
pulsively. "Father is in poor health,
and am so anxious to get to him."
"Can you sail at once?' he asHel.
I'D like to go this minute" she cried.
Consider it DONE" he said, with
mock dramatics. Il will work the
sandbag persuasion this very day"
Madge went upstairs oddly comfort
ed by the assurance. though her sense
told her that Manning could not sue
coed where Roper with his influence
had failed.
1t was with misgiving that she open
ed the note he sent her that evening.
but a delighted cry escaped her when
a ticket fell out She let it flutter to
the floor when she read the Letter. 1t
ran:
Dear Miss Howard-I am called out Of
town and am mailing these to you. You
can fix it up when l see YOU in New
York. Hope you Will have a pleasant
passage. With regards to your aunt
and yourself. THE SANDBAGGER.
Roper called that evening to explain
that he had heard Of Il berth that she
might obtain four weeks later and
|
had been provided for.
Il should have offered you my room,"
he said. had it not been that it was
imperative that 1 should be in town
next week. We shall he fellow pas
sengers"
Madge could not arouse great enthu-
siasm over this fact. A few weeks be-
| Hc rr1o Dat
since the luncheon she had changed. 1t
was unreasonable to expect him to
give up his stateroom, yet the compla-
cent way in which he had dismissed
that possibility had irritated her.
1t was not as pleasant trip as Ro-
per anticipated. Madge was pleasant.
but there was no chance to get chat
before the opportunity came to put his
fate to the test.
He had regarded her acceptance as a
matter OF course, and her prompt and
emphatic negative put him out of sorts
with himself. He did not come near
her again until they lay off quarantine
and the steerage passengers were be-
ing transferred to the Ellis island boat
The cabin passengers were hanging
over the rail watching the odd charac-
ters as they trooped on board the little
steamer Roper leaned on the rail be
side Madge.
Suddenly he grasped her arm and
pointed to the gangway. Isn't that
the richest joker he chuckled. There
goes Manning. He probably got strap
ped and came over steerage because 1t
was the best he could afford. This il
rich
In a fash Madge solved the situation.
Il am afraid" she said. that we are
occupying Mr. Manning's stateroom.
That is probably his reason for coming
third class. He knew how anxious l
was to get home. and that is the way
he solved the problem. Had l known
should never have consented"
Roper's mirth changed to a sickly
smile. II congratuiate-Mr. Manning"
he said as he turned away.
That evening Manning presented
himself at the Howards' in response to
Madge's note. Il was going to arrive
officially in couple of weeks from
now" he explained sheepishly. 81 did
not want to see you two LEFT alone in
London. and had to get back on a big
deal was working. I'm sorry YOU
saw me. though
I'm not" she seid decidedly. 81
used to think you were Just a society
butterfly. and I'm glad to know differ
emily" :
! "Oh | work." he said lightly. "Only
don't bring my business to s O'Clock
teas. and I rather like the teas-that's
ALL"
"Just-the teas?" asked Madge mean
ingly
DO you mean he stammered
YES" said Madge. "Since yoa are
afraid to appear to take advantage Of
your action l suppose I shall have to
force you to propose"
1T won't take much forcing" he
laughed. Twill you"
GLADLY" said Madge.
Rocks That Float In Water.
| A Geologist who is well up in his
business can name a dozen or twenty
/ oe