The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-03-27

questions, put the captain nau IA an
swer ready for each one He had
with him rough plan of the schOon-
er's rig, a photograph of her cabin,
drawing of her engine. These were
laid on the table, and they moved from
one to the other, the captain explain
| ing, pointing and arguing. The pass
ing of time was forgotten entirely.
The junior partner awoke from bis
trance with a start. And just then, in
the sitting room below, the cuckoo
clock struck 9.
Bradley turned white and then red.
Nine o'clock! And the grand march
at the subscription ball was to start
promptly at g." And Gus had looked
forward to this evening for over a
month!
II is doubtful IT, even now, he could
tell much about his trip from the cap
tain's room. to the Baker cottage. He
ran most of the way. Over and over
again he reproached himself for his
forgetfulness. Gus had called him
neglectful and selfish once before.
What would she say now? He scarce
ly dared knock on the dining room
door.
But whatever he may have expected
| to hear when that door opened, what
he did hear was certainly distinct
surprise. Grandmother Baker her
head enveloped in shawl, peeped out
and said:
Gus said IL you called to say that
she didn't wish to interfere with any
thing so important as your business
matters. You see, Sam Hammond
stopped here about ha'f past eight and
said he'd seen you and Cap'n Ezry go
into the Travellers Rest together. So
Gus went to the ball with him."
The subscription ball was nearly half
over when Bradley came up the stairs
Of the town hall. He tossed his ticket
In at the window and absentmindedly
| checked his overcoat and hat. Then
he stood in the doorway looking at the
| dancers. For almost an hour he had
been walking up and down the side
walk opposite the hall, remOrsefully
hating himself one minute and fiercely
nursing his injured pride the next
Twice he turned to go home, and each
time he turned back again.
The waltz quadrille was the particu-
lar dance then going on. Bradley
glanced over the crowded floor. He
caught sight Of Sam Hammond dane
ing with one Of the Rogers girls. Op
posite them in the set, he noted vague
", were Captain Titcomb and Clara
/ Hopkins.
He spoke with Captain Titcomb but
once. That was during an interval be-
tween dances. when the captain, redhot
but smiling, came strolllng toward him.
Hello. Bradr he exclaimed. Got
here. didn't youT Then, CHANGING at
the young mans face, he added:
"Havin a good time? Hope our stop
pin to talk didn't make any diff renceT'
The answer was noncommittal.
The subscription ball. extras and all,
came to an end at 3 o'clock. BY this
time Bradley was once more repentant
and humble. When Gus came out q
the clOakroom he went to meet her,
resolved to abase himself and plead
for forgiveness.
Gus" he stammered "Gus-I-I-
mayn't l walk home with you? You
know r.
But as Bradley's anger had cooled,
his fiancee's had arisen.
THANK YOU" she answered, and
every word was crusted with Ice.
"Mr. Hammond was gentleman enough
to escort me here, and l presume he
will see me home"
Bradley accompanied Miss Rogers to
the parental gate. 1t wasn't n hilari-
Gus walk. The young lady said to her
older sister later on:
Julia, l honestly believe he didn't
speak one word from the time he left
the hall till he said good night. l had
to talk for two, or l should have gone
to sleep on the way. He may be good
looking enough. but Gus Baker can
have him for all me. I'd as soon come
home with a wooden Indian"
And Bradley, In his own chamber,
stared out of the window at the light
in Gus room and vowed that he would
not get down on his knees to that
young lady again; let her have her
New York gentleman II she wanted
him. Then he thought Of that other
dance and how happy he had been be-
cause she had given him the waltz that
Sam asked for. And he went to bed
utterly miserable.
CHAPTER XIV.