Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-13

He was not deceived by the result
Of the drst test OF the Sommers gun.
II had stood the first test safely. bU'
IN his heart the conspirator knew that
soon the badly tempered gun must
fail. perhaps with shocking results.
That mattered little 10 him. The
worse the accident the greater the dis
grace Of Sommers and the surer tho
result in his favor. The government
must then accept the Rhlnestrom guI
and probably would give a bigger or
der than ever.
lie had no fear Of an Investigation.
That had been well attended 20. Smith,
under another name. was working far
away. There was no one else who
knew anything except Marsh. and he
could be depended on 10 keep quiet
The ultimate success OF all that he
had planned now seemed 20 the gen
eral manager certain. He gave him
self up 10 the enjoyments Of the cruise.
drea ming now and then OF the time 70
come when he and Frances as man
and wife should 90 on long trips to-
gether.
The drst sign Of real interest the girl
showed after starting was when the
yacht cast anchor In the broad harbor
OF Ponce. Porto Rico. and she learned
quite by accident that The cruiser
Roanoke was expected there In a few
days.
Then. 70 the intense establishment or
Mrs. Durant and Plnckuey. Frances
once more asserted herself She de-
clared that she loved the old Spanish
town. Even the dirty Soza. two miles
away from the mails -iiy. interested
her. She insisted OF staying over. be-
cause, she declared. she was deter
mined 20 study tie town and the peo-
pie and even ride over the famous MIL
itary road construciNa 10y the Span
iards AZ n terrible N~,t OF labor and
life from Ponce through the mountains
70 san Juan.
Nothing hat her mother or Pinck-
ney could do would move her. She was
interested. excited. eager all the time.
and each day. without the knowledge
OF the others. she managed 20 slip
over 90 the government house 20 find
out when the cruiser Roanoke was ex-
pected.
IL was a very pretty game Of hide
and go seek that the girl and Pinck-
ney played without realizing f. Pinck-
ney also every day had inquired about
the coming OF the Roanoke. He knew
that Sommers was attached 10 the
cruiser. and he was determined that
the naval officer and Frances should
not by any chance meet.
His orders were quietly given, and
the captain OF the IrveSsa was ready
the moment the Roanoke should ap-
pear In the harbor to get up steam
preparatory 20 leaving.
Then. with these plans all laid.
Pinckney began his own plans for de-
parture. First be approached Mrs. Du-
rant and found her only too glad TO
20. At his suggestion she spoKe to
Frances. only 10 meet a tat refusal.
y don't want 10 go yet, mother"
protested the girl I'm having a
splendid tine here in my own way.
and ] can't see any reason for leav-
ing. I'd like TO ride up 10 Coamo and
try the Spanish baths and then go on
through TO San Juan. It's an easy
ride. and / can meet the ship there.
Suppose you and Edward go around
by ship and let me come through the
other way. l think that would be a
splendid plan"
Mrs. Durant looked at her daughter.
startled.
Frances. / think you must be out OF
your head!' she exclaimed How
could you come through alone? Prob
ably you are planning TO have Lieu
tenant Sommers take charge OF your"
Frances expression showed only
amaZement. but her heart was beating
hard.
Lieutenant SommersY' she asked,
with well simulated surprise.
Mrs Durant made an impatient
gesture.
Now, don't pretend. Frances. that
you are ignorant Of the fact that the
Roanoke is expected here In the har-
Dor. and he is on board.
us hep" said Frances. still seeming
surprised. why, how nice that would
ber'
NONSENSE snapped her mother.
Frances. l don't care for that young
naval officer. and l don't see why you
can't get him out or your head"
The girls face flushed hotly.
He isn't in my head!' she exclaimed.
Her mother was not TO be put OF so
easily.
'Humph. Maybe be isn't in your
head, but sometimes I've feared he's
In your heart. which is worse. Now,
Frances. don't be foolish. You know
Edward cares for you. and you know
that your father and l would like to
see you two married"
The girl shook her head decisiveIy,
and her tone was very firm when she
answered.
I'm very sorry, mother. to disap-
point you and dad, but must tell you
once and for all 1 wouldn't marry Ed
ward Pinckney II he were the only
man on earth"