Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11

itude are apt to be awkward. Don't
you think you'd better lay over until
the weather clears up?"
Pinckney whirled on him nngrily.
I'm giving the ORDERS" he snapped.
Still the seaman could not quite
agree. He knew his business, and he
felt n grave responsibility at the
thought Of taking the wife and daugh.
ter Of the owner into danger.
Certainly. sir. I'm under your or
dcrs." he said. "but we have the ladies'
on board. and they might not like n
storm"
Nonsense" snapped Pinckncy.
You're too cautious. We leave TO-
night and dine on board. Get up steam
Mt once"
The captain saluted.
Certainly. SIR" he said "The re-
sponsibllity is up to you"
Mrs. Durnnt and Frances came down
into the courtyard few minutes lat
er, just rs Plnckney was reading n
cable that messenger boy had hand.
ed to him.
bad nevs?' asked Mrs. Durant anx.
iously.
Pinckncy looked up.
"Only that must return at once"
he said
WHAT'S wrong?" asked the other
two together
The man smiled at their alarm.
Nothing very wrong" he said. "ln
fact this cable brings good news. The
government has notified us to 60 ahead
on the Rhnestrom gun order"
Then the Sommers gun, Of which
you were afraid:" suggested Mrs
Durant.
Pinckney looked at her in his most
superior manner.
I'VE were never afraid of the SOM
mers gun" he said. at was only
his influence In Washington"
1t was Frances turn to flush an
grily.
There was no reason TO be afraid
Of that" she declared as haughtily
ms though her own fathers honor had
been lmpugned. Lieutenant SOM
Iners would scarcely do anything dis
honorable"
The man shrugged his shoulders
He could nor, even though 1t were
policy. suppress his hatred of SOM
mers.
I'm glad you think So" he sneered
81 don't think; know" retorted the
girl haughtily
Pinckney smiled with triumph.
well. 1t makes no difference now,
anyway" he said. I'VE get the order
for the Rhinestrom gun because tho
Sommers gun has proved a failure"
Frances face grew suddenly white
as she turned away quickly. The
Sommers gun failure! What blow
1t must be to him! Probably he didn't
know 1t yet How she would like to
comfort him. and she could not. He
would not listen to her II she only
could see him now! She was still so
engrossed with her own thoughts that
she scarcely heard Pinckney's aues-
ton:
Can you leave tonight?'
Il think SO. easily" agreed Mrs. Du-
'"'' w HoN w yoi TTuHCtS
The girl turned YEARLY. After all.
what difference did it make? She
would not get II chance to see som
mers. His ship might not arrive for
II week moro. And. II she did see
him. what could she say: 1t was all
no use. She might rs well agrec to
what they wanted Why struggle
longer: SO she nodded indlfferently.
"All right; I'll go whenever you
WISH
Finckney smiled his triumph and
Mrs. Durant beamed.
IN hurry right upstairs and pack"
she said. We can leave IN an hour"
When Pinckney and her mother had
gone Frances sat down at a table By
herself TO think. she was SO lonely,
and everything was SO hopeless There
was no chance OF seeing Somners, no
chance Of their ever coming together
again.
And she loved him. She knew that
now. The clutch at her heart when
she heard Of his misfortune made it
very clear to her. 1t was no use to
try to deceive herself any longer She
loved him. She wanted him. for he
was the one man in all the world who
could make her happy. Now she was
miserable. and he was failure.
Pardon me. Miss Durant'
At the cool. penetrating voice Fran
res looked up. A big man with Il
khrewd face and clear cold gray eyes
that had the particular faculty of com.
polling and riveting attention stood
beside the table with his hat in his
hand
Can you tell me where can find
Mr. Pinckney:" he asked.
The man was so obviously not mere.
~ seeking to scrapc an acquaintance
that the girl had no hesitancy in reply
lag.
in the hotel l think" she said cool
ly.
You intend sailing almost immedi-
ntcly, do you not?" persisted the man.
The girl was surprised but the nues-
toners manner was thoroughly re-
sprctfnl ana yet seemed to demand q
reply.
II believe so-yes." she said ana hi lf
turned away.
The questiOner bowed.
Thank you" He half turned TO 20.
then stopped and. turning back, said
ro0lly:
by the way. 1t may interest you.