Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-02-10

Il hopo lave not been rude"
returned, a little vexed at his tone Of
easy familiarity; but he only laughed
again, and began to talk about the
climate and the country, showing
knowledge of the coast which sur.
prised me.
Surely" exclaimed, you have not
learned all this since you have been
,ere?"
"Oh, no." he returned; I'm an old
stager. The fact is, 1 spent several
summers here when l was young
chap, and I'm very keen about it in
deed. The sea regularly calls to me-;
and I'm never quite happy away
from it."
"And Mrs. Graham?'
"Well, she don't know much about IL
as yet, but she's learning. l can't in,
duce her to get into boat, though
more's the pity"
"You are fond of sailing?"
VERY fond. When I get out in my
catboat have no idea of the fight Of
tine''
had a sudden vision of his wife's
figure waiting on the little dock.
Doubtless she was destined to pass
many anxious, expectant hours before
the end of the summer.
Mr.. Graham put our letters in his
pocket with his own, for safe keeping,
and we turned our faces homeward.
On the outskirts of the village we
met Lady Edith Campbell, sauntering
along under her white parasol, the
personification of dainty womanhood.
She stopped to speak to me, and I
was about to introduce my compan-
ion when, to my surprise, she held out
her hand cordially.
"Why, Mr.. Graham!" she exclaimed.
What are you doing in this remote
corner of the world, and do you mean
to cut your old friends?"
| Il was so astonished, Lady Edith,
that l doubted the evidence of my
eyes. What brings you here, may I
ask"
"Wilfrid and l are touring for his
health. Is Mrs. Graham with you?
How very charming! We all crossed
from England together this spring"
she explained for my benefit, "and we
got to know each other very we'll, al
people do on shipboard. Where ia
Mrs. Graham, and may I not go and
see her this morning."
Mr.. Graham hesitated perceptibly,
but settled the question by holding
out my hands for the letters and an.
nOuncing that 1 meant to take a short
cut to the cottage, and would see them
again soon.
AS usual, the girls were on tho
veranda, and l dropped the mail in
Elizabeth's lap and flung myself ex'
haustedly into the hammock.
Il don't like paying visits" re-
marked, "and just hate taking walks
with other peoples husbands"
,"Oh, I don't know" replied Gabri
ellie. Il rather like married men-they
are so safe. They never suspect you
of designs on them if you are pleasant
you know, and"
":Why," interrupted Elizabeth, who
had been turning over the mail
whats this? What have you beer
buying, Elise? I'm going to lool
, at it,
She held in her hand small tissue
paper package about the size of an or
binary note envelope, and before
could disclaim any responsibility for
she had opened it and was examinin,
the contents.
obi" she exclaimed, look at this.
And, nothing loath, we joined he
, on the steps and looked also. The lit
? tie package contained small piece o
f blue ribbon, and carefully fastened t.
5 it was ring of yellow hair. Sucl
pretty hair it was, too! It might b.v'
$ come from the head of little child,
5 was so soft and curled so daintily. Il
the sunshine it glittered like spu1
, gold.
D Elizabeth put her finger under thu
shining ringlet and looked at M
doubtfully.
where did you get it," she IN
2 quired, ."and what are you going to d
Y with it,"
!? Il never saw it before replied
s thoroughly puzzled.
Il Gabrielle lifted the ribbon. whic1
8 was attached at the top to a piece O
white note paper, evidently for tn
d purpose of holding it straight.
Y There is writing on it, she ar
nounced, and we literally put on
l. heads together to decipher the word
/. closely written in pencil
"I need you,'" read Elizabeth. d
h not delay"
l. There is more,' I continued; "li'
d ten:
"'And another voice is calling,
Oh, it cometh from the sea,
With an undertone of danger
e But there's work for you and me-
e What does it mean?" question:
r Gabrielle. ELISE, you brought it here
y you must know"
l. Indeed 1 don't! I got the ma
and
!, I paused as a sudden light dawne
upon me.
" Its HIS" 1 exclaimed lucidly; an
If went on to explain that Mr.. Grahar
had given me cur mail very hurriedl!
as Lady Edith was waiting for hin
/, and doubtless the little package ha
" slipped in between two letters.
Elizabeth was folding the tissv
l, paper. carefully about the piece {
Y ribbon.
, r. IT. 80 .o,,..o oh> .osa ss.>