The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-05-25
Delaying a
BY
FRANCES TRUMBULL.
FRANCES TRUMBULL.
Copyrighted, 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.

stu DDOrn their little MISUNDERSTANDING
would have healed quickly, and the sol
itaire would have cleaned on Rates
finger instead Of hiding its brilliant
light in a tiny corner of the safe in
PauPs office. Instead pride held sway.
and just to show that she did not care
Kate firted outrageously with John
Trent.
lust who Trent was no one seemed
to know exactly. 1t was said that he
was looking for a site for a summer
hotel which should bring prosperity to
the island. Certain it was that a speedy
team from the livery took him on many
tours of the island, and during these
trips Kate frequently occupied the seat
of the cutter with him.
Paul Condor, whose duties held him
closely at the dock. watched them speed
past on their way to visit some likely
location, and, with a heavy heart he
Wondered what the outcome would be-
He neither liked nor trusted Trent.
wherein he stood alone, for Trent had
wormed himself into the good graces
of most of the islanders. At the sim
pie entertainments of its social life he
was always the most welcome guest.
while Paul. glowering in a corner and
refusing to take part in any Of the
games suggested by Trent, found less
and less sympathy as Trent's popular
| ity grew.
1t was not often that Paul attended
social affairs now. urging the Office as
an excuse. though he had not found 1t
difficult to leave the dock even on sail
ing nights when he was to act as es-
cort to Kate Pyfrom. He and his IA
Their owned the steamer Robert G.,
which made semiweekly trips to the
mainland. In winter this was about
the only means of communication, for
the heavy gales made the passage of
the pleasure sloopS almost impossible,
and the stancher boats were engaged
on the fishing banks. The Robert G.
carried the catch across the strait to
the city, and it was this traffic which
made a regular communication with
the mainland possible.
The sailings were scheduled for G
O'Clock, but if the fishing boats were
late coming in the steamer would be
held until their arrival and frequently
it was long after midnight before the
start was made.
This furnished Paul with the excuse
for remaining away from merrymak
ings, and gradually in the society OF
the fishermen and merchants he heard
little of what was going on, though
Hates increasing fondness for Tren
was gossip even among the seafarers.
So completely had he isolated him
self from the local gossip that he wa
surprised when one sailing day Georgt
Pyfrom drove his daughter up to The
dock and engaged passage for he
across to the mainland
"She's going to visit her Aunt Kate
down to Boston," he explained as ht
laid down the money for a round triT
ticket. Its good for young folks tt
visit around a bit l think trip tt
, Boston would be good for you JUS
now, Paul"
There was meaning in the tones, bu
Paul shook his head.
II guess there's no chance even il
Boston. captain" he declared. 81 guess
| We lOSl dIl uOlu OIL Nate.
!; Pyfrom, unconvinced, shook his head
) but he offered no further argument
J and after learning that the fishing fee
would be in late he stamped out of thu
Office and on board the steamer to sec
that Kate was made comfortable.
1t was the rule that passengers should
be aboard at the announced sailing
| firon mr. xrho a,a D.,
locked the ticket drawer and went on
on the dock to look after some freight
He studiously avoided glancing toward
the after part of the steamer, wher,
the passenger accommodations were
and he did not notice the white, visit
} full face pressed against the pane o
one of the staterooms.
Nor did he see that the face was still
there when he returned from suppe
and the first of the fishing feet nneC
: up alongside Of the dock and began t,
pass the barrels of fish across the docl
to the steamer
From that time on all was confusion
AS rapidly as a boat could unload sh,
gave place to another, and by mid
night the last of the cargoes was stow
ed and the sailors began to make prep
arations to cast off.
Paul had gone to the gangplank t
see that all was right when Trent en-
deavored to press past him. For a mo
ment Paul hesitated, then resolutel,
he barred the way.
Tickets" he demanded. Trent laugh
ed.
"I'll fix it with the purser," he as
sured.
You cannot get aboard without
ticket" Paul insisted.
|, "Then sell me one," suggested Trent
, setting down his suit case and draw
ing out his bill fold.
1.-THE sale of tickets stopped at
o'clock" reminded Paul mo NOR
tickets will be sold for this voyage
You will have to wait until Thursday.
ut Is vital that l should catch thi
> boat" declared Trent. II AUST haI
pened to remember that l have an In