The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-11-17
commanded

y >sstE
"Who is Rhinestroms" commanded
Bradley.
shall be only too glad.-
The secret service man was not one
to be whimsical or chivalrous when he
had started out to accomplish any
thing. Promptly he took Pinckney at
his word
That's very good of you, sir, and
you can be of the greatest service to
us. Lieutenant Sommers goes to face
the court of inquiry at Washington,
and it is his desire and mine to reach
there with as little delay as possible.
No steamer sails from this port to New
York for nearly q week.
Now, the gun that made this trou-
BILE was forged at your works, and
therefore, whether you wish it or not,
you have a direct interest i'm the case.
Perhaps I'm going to ask you some
thing unusual, but it will be a great ia
ver if you Will allow Mr.. Semmers and
myself to sail with you on the Ir-
veSsa."
Pinckney and Sommers both stared
at the secret service man in amaze
fnent The cool audacity of the pro-
posal took them both off their feet.
Sommers was the first to recover.
Bradley! Nor he exclaimed fmpet-
uously.
PInckney bowed coldly.
I'm sorry, sir" he said, "but Won
are asking too much. That'H be i'm.
possible"
he turned away just as Frances,
tired of the waiting. re-entered the
courtyard.
'.Ah. Frances, you are ready?" he
asked
Without replying the girl came
straight to Sommers.
What are you going to do now?
she asked directly.
Il have been ordered to report at
Washington at once to face the courr
'of inquiry returned the officer.
The gisl smiled There were both
sadness and JOY in sadness for his
unfortunate situation, joy that they
had Il chance still to he together.
We are just starring" she suggest
ed Come with us on the yacht"
Sommers shook his head.
I'm sorry: | can't do that"
The girl stood looking at him. hurt
anu uncertain. She had not expected
that rebuff. She could not understand
1t. Again Bradley seized the situation
Miss Dnrant, Mr. Sommers goes "a
Washington to endeavor to show WHY
he shonld not be court niartiaied for
neglect Of duty the night his gun was
forged. It's most important that he
get there as soon as possible. and no
ship sails from this port FIR a week"
Pinckhey stepped forward anrrily.
Mr. Bradley. your explanation is
most uncalled for. he exclaimed.
Then Frances began to see Her
head came up, and her eyes lighted
ON the contrary. Mr. Bradley. I'm
very much obliged TO You for your ex-
PLANTATION. she declared hanghtiIv
Would it not be possible for YOU and
Lieutenant Sommers to return with
us?''
1T would be the greatest favor. Miss
Durant. he said earnestly. Il had al |
ready requested it. but Mr.. Pinckney !
Objects
The girl turned on Pinekney haugh-
tily.
When Mr. Pinckney realizes that
the lrvessa is my fathers yacht and
that this gun was forged in my fathers
works and that it is my desire that
Lieutenant So1sfners and Mr.. bradley
sail with US at once am sure ne Will
lave no objections to offer"
Rebuked. Pinckney bowed with IN
,race.
Since Miss Durant wishes it | am
MY too happy to have you come with
is. OF course" he said to Bradley.
The secret service man bowed in
urn.
Then well go. of course. with
hanks he said simply. IF you will
Reuse me I'll get ready. Lieutenant
'ommers and | will be at the dock
within an hour"
When Bradley and Pinckney both
ad gone Frances came over to where
er lover was standing.
That was wrong" she said, gently
eproving. you should have trusted
he more. We must have no more
Understandings. From now on what
fleets you affects me. You and
re one. but don't you see"-she pa used
moment. looking up at him. her
cart in her eyes-"but don't you see
love your"