Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-02

Tn tue uhrkneSS the glri IauRnfu low laugh of pure delight.
 You are an absolute. idiotic. dream. Ing fool" she said. so softly. so ten derly. that he could not but understand
 "Francesr'
 He barely breathed her name. Then all reply was cut or. for she was in his arms with her own arms about his neck and their lips were tight to- gether.
 It was nearly half an hour later when Frances Durant. her cheeks flushed. her eyes misty with happi- ness. opened the big front door and stepped back into the lighted hall.
 So much had happened in that short time. She had gone out an anxious worried girl. She re-entered glow ing woman. loved and loving. sure of herself and happily confident of the future. They were not engaged. No. indeedl They had solemnly assured each other of that fact. It would not do at all for the pcnniless naval officer to formally ask the hand of the steel kings daughter! But when his gun had been a great success and fame had come to him then he was to come and make his formal plea and ask her father for her hand. And she would be waiting eagerly for her lover. ready with her answer and prepared, no mat ter what happened. to follow him to the ends of the earth.
 Edward Pinckney looked up with sheer as she entered the library.
 "Oh, he's gone, has her" he said contemptuously.
 The girl was too happy to mind the. tone.
 You mean Mir Sommersf" she said. affecting to misunderstood. "Yes; he's gone"
 "of course mean that naval whip persnapper. Who do you suppose meantp he replied sharply. You ought to have more sense, Frances. than to stand out on that cold porch. You're likely to catch pneumonia or anything"
 The girl smiled slightly.
 "Oh. wasn't cold" she said.
 "l've been waiting to speak to you" began Pinckney again. Its about something important"
 Frances was in no mood for long, dull conversation. She wanted to get away by herself to think over the last half hour. to feel again the thrill of his touch. to hear again in her imagi- nation the sound of his voice. So she spoke somewhat impatiently.
 Wont tomorrow do, Edward"
 He shook his head with decision.
 No; tomorrow won't do. Frances. something in which l am interested and In which your mother and father are interested also-somethlng which we all wish to bring about"
 The girl yawned. She did not have the least idea what he was going to say.
 "Oh, very well. Edward. if it's any thing you wish and mother and father wish. too just consider that have agreed and let 1t go at that. Don't worry me-"
 He stepped toward her suddenly and before she realized 1t had put his arm about her.
 Then we may announce the en- gagement at once," he said master fully
 The girl recoiled. then tore herself from his arms.
 No" she said sharply. you will not announce any engagement of mine if you mean yourself as the man."
 His face darkened.
 You mean you don't care for me?" he demanded.
 She looked at him with a smile.
 "Of course care for you. Edward; we've been brought up together. I've looked on you as a sort of big brother, but l don't care for you the least bit in the way you mean, and I never will"
 You mean you won't marry meP he demanded angrily.
 "Of course 1 won't marry you when l don't care for you," she retorted. be. ginning to lose her temper in turn. Are you out of your senses? I've never had any idea of marrying you, Edward. will never have such an idea"
 Pinckney saw all his dreams begin to tumble. It made him angry, desper- ate.
 You will marry mep' he exclaimed, stepping toward her. q tell you you will marry me! What do you think ana fool? Do you suppose Pm an idiotic, dreaming foolT
 [Tn hn nnnrtnnndN