The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-04-09

ard was arranging tea for two at a
small table. The Kansas, with placid
hum OF engines, was speeding evenly
through an azure sea.
Il agree with that opinion most
heartily. though, TO be sure, 30 much
friend, Elsie Maxwell, rising to pour
out the tea Already the brisk sea
breeze had kissed the Chilean pallor
from Elsie's face, which had regained
Its English peach bloom. lsobel Bar.
ing's complexion was tinged with the
warmth OF pomegranate, At sea,
even in the blue Pacific, she carried
with her the suggestion OF tropical
garden.
i Il never gave thought to the
weather." purred Isobel again as she
subsidized more deeply into the cush.
ions
Let US hope such blissfui state
Of mind may be justified But you
know, dear, we may run into dread
full gale before we reach the strait"
Isobe laughed.
"All the betterw she cried. People
tell me am a most fascinating In
valid--I look like creamy orchid.
| And what luck 10 have a chum SO dis
Interested as you where a lot OF nice
men are concerned What have !
done to deserve III Because you are
really charming, you know"
Does that mean that you have al
ready discovered lot Of nice men on
boardT'
Elsie handed her friend cup OF tea
and a plate OF toast
Naturally. While you were moon
Ing over the lights and ints OF the
Andes l kept an eye-both eyes, In
fact--on our compulsory acquaintances
Of the next three weeks. To begin
with, there's the captain"
"He is good looking. certainly. Some
what reserved, fancied."
"Reservedw Isobel showed all her
Hne teeth in smile. Incidentally she
took satisfactory bite out Of square
Of toast I'm soon shake the reserve
out OF him. He Is mine. You will see
him play pet dog longsbefore We meet
that terrible gale Of yours"
"Isobel, you promised your father
ITO look after my health during the
voyage. DO you think intend only to
sleep. eat and read novels all the way
to Londoni Then indeed | should be
H. But there is French count on
the ship. He Is mine too"
"You mean TO find safety In num-
bersY"
"Oh, there are others. OF course !
am sure OF my little count He twist
ed his mustache with such an air when
/ skidded past him In the companion
way | am sure NJ. le Comte Edouard
de Poinciit Will do our French far
more good than course In Mo
liere."
Am I TO be included in the lessons7
And you actually know the mans
name already
Read II on his luggage, dear girl, |
He has such lot See II he doesn't
wear three different colored shirts for
breakfast, lunch and tea, And, II you
refuse TO help. who il TO take care OF |
lie pitt Edouard while give the cap |
tain a trot roundi Don't look cross;
there's a darling.'
"Now, Isobel, that does not matter
q bit in Valparaiso. where you are
known, but In Paris and London
Where mean TO be equally well
known. II Is a passport TO smart soci-
ETY. TO be a triHe rlsque. Steward,
give my compliments TO Captain Cour
ienay and say that Miss Maxwell and
Miss BarIag hope he will favor them
with bis company TO tea"
Elsie's bright, eager face flushed
slightly. She leaned forward, with a
certain squaring OF the shoulders, be-
ing determined young person in some
respects.
For once shall let you on" she
said in 4 low voice. so | give you
fair warning. Isobel--I must not he
included In impromptu invitations OF
that kind"
Good gracious. ! only meant to be
polite. Tut. tut. as dad says when be
can't swear before ladies' shan't
make the running for you any more"
Elsie drummed an impatient foot on
the deck. There was . little pause.
Isobel closed her eyes laziiy. but she
opened them again when she heard
her friend cay
Il am sorry II seem crotchety.
Scar. Indeed. IL IL no prrtens@ on my
part. Ysa cannot imagine how that
man yentana persecured me. The
mere suggestion OF any ones paying
me compliments and trying TO be fas.
eina,ing is 90 r~felieut that crlngs
st the thought"
Isot,el Barring iaised her bead from
the cushions
"yent.na Was a determined wooer,
thenf What did be dor" she asked
4