The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14

DceH out anywhere, sald the InotHeF,
coloring UP with excitement. as she
scarcely knew whether TO accept or
refuse.
quite time that Miss Susie should
meet her fellows on equal grounds
instead OF in back lane she added
mentally.
II should be very glad. only
'rhere is no only, my dear lady.
| shalt expect Susie next Tuesday, and
shall be very much pleased IL you
will accompany her.
"Oh, no-no--I cannot never go
| anywhere---.incc my--my trouble. Be
sides, you know the whole neighbor-
| hood"
Mrs. Destrees pressed her hand, and
interrupted the finish by saying: II
will not torment you to come this time
/ Ia little later on, perhaps. Mean
time, you will lend me Susie. I will
take great care OF her
''Thank you, I know you will. You
are most kind
/ The coming o. susie being settled
witnout further discussion, the CONVEX.
sation drifted into other channels. and
they chatted for a long while most In
| timately and pleasantly.
Nrs. Destrees, Notwithstanding her
Kindness. was not wholly without FEM
| mine curiosity. added to which she
thought 1t espedient. IL possible. to
discover what the secret trouble was
that shrouded the lives OF this gentle,
cultured little gentlewoman and her
child. But not single lead she gave
was followed up. and she felt that.
unless the question was put with much
directness. there would be no answer,
4 and she thought that, for the present
/ at all events, she had no right to press
the matter. Nor did circumstances
give her chance, for, Just as she
was considering whether she dare be
more urgent in her inquiries. both she
and Mrs. Pyle were overcome by a
/ great surprise.
il Coming into the tiny cottage garden
was Susie herself. accompanied by
I Dayie Maxwell. Susie looked pale as
death, her white frock was somewhat
draggled, the wild flowers In her hat
/ We're faded, and no longer artistically
arranged.
1 What had happened?
Something important, evea level
headed Mrs. Destrees feared. since
! Davie also looked pcrturbed
4 Astonishment, not unmiXcd with well
come, came into his face when he saw
Mrs. Destrees :.tting with Susie's
mother. for Mrs. Destrees had always
been Davies champion and friend when
he got into boyish troubles.
That she would prove so now he de-
voutly hoped. and. In truth, the max
ing of this acquaintance had its root
In her friendship for Davic.
That he would never give up any
girl he had Il strong love for. she knew
fun we'll; that the best should be
done for him and this girl, under what
she feared would prove trying circum-
stances, she intended to do.
Ia.
looking at each other askance, Susie
sank, half fainting. into chair
Explanations from Der did no
seem likely to be Nobtained. 1
was Davie who spoke, pulling
himself courageously together, fol
the situation was rather trying to :
young man averse to witnessing any
exhibition of emotion.
II hope you Will forgive me, Mrs
Pyle for coming unlimited to your
house: but there has been an accident
, and Miss Pyle, who saw 1t. was SO ter.
ribiy upset I could not let her come
home alone"
Thank you, thank YOU" was all Mrs
Fyfe whimpered. She was devotine
, her whole attention to the gradually
recovering Susie.
is any one hurt, Davie?" asked Mrs
Destrees. Can ! be of any use?"
An elderly mana stranger. H,
/, was crossing the river In little boat
Just at tho dangerous part too--woult
not go down the half-mile to the ferry
said he knew all about boats. O
course. the boat capsized.'
y And he is drowned?"
NO and Dick, the ostler at TIL
!, River Inn, managed to lug him out
. but he is unconscious 1t was ter
:, ribly near shave, and gave Miss Fyf,
i such fright that I thought 1 hat
better bring her home
III never go on the river again.
murmured Susie.
\ oh, yes. I hope YOU will" was TIL,
n hearty answer, at which Mrs. Destree!
smiled, suspecting, as She did tina
II the delight of his life
II Where is this man?" she asked, not
II however, seeming to read between tn,
II lines.
at the River Inn. told them t
send for Dr. Alcock. ] must go bacl
i and see how he is getting on
And / Will come with you" sal,
/ Mrs. Destrees.
N '.All right do Then, turning t
I Mrs Fyfe, he asked, with simpl
II Observation-Disclosures: May / call an,
l Inquire how Miss Fyfe is after he
H iright?"
Il Certainly certainly, SO good O
Il you! l don't know how to thank yol
H enough"
\ The mother and the lover shool
Il hands warmly-a friendly meeting
n having been brought about, by knd
II Is Chance, that might otherwise hav
II proved formal. and even inimical.
II Rather taken in that quarter. ell
II Davie?" said Mrs. Dcstrees, as 500
n as they were free of the cottage.
II Does my mother know?" lie asked
II looking at her keenly.
II 'No. i should think not
II shes deuced down on them. can
n think why"
1--WE must try and find OUT
Il Dear Mrs, pestrees! What goo
II old friend you always are to MEL
Il II don't know yet whether it
II friendliness to encourage this pen
II chan;.'
i "susie is the dearest sweetest. good
II est 49,"
Il stop, stop. stop! Common sens,
II not rhapsody, Il you want me to hel
II yor.'
Il 81 should cease to be a lover, If
N let common sense Interfere with m
II Hove"