Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-13
Tho mother looked at her daughter.

now you tell me you'll never marry
him, I've never been so treated in my
lifer'
Frances could not help laughing. She
slipped her arm about her mothers
neck ahectionately.
I'm awfuliy sorry. mother. dear. but
don't see how I can help you. You
wouldn't have me marry a man I don't
love. would your"
NO" agreed her mother uncertain
"; Il don't want to force you"
Then 7 expect Il s settled" decided
the girl. with a long breath Of salts
faction. we won't say any more
about It."
Mrs Durant knew Frances well
enough not o try TO argue the matter.
She suu had some hope. for she had
Gwelt on the prospect so long that she
could not once give IL up entirely.
One chang Of scene had failed 70
work She would try another.
well then. for goodness sake,
Frances. les so home" she said eager
". II want 20 get settled 10 my own
room and feel the floor stay still"
The girl sighed.
very well. mother: wen 90 home
whenever you wish" she agreed
Down in the courtyard Of the old
fashioned Spanish hotel Pinckney was
talking 20 the captain OF the Irvessa
anxiously.
You say the Roanoke is in7" he
asked
The captain nodded.
Eyes. sir. She cast anchor I'm the
| harbor an hour ago" be declared.
Then get up steam &C once. cap
tain," ordered Pinckney. 1--WE win
leave tonight"
The officer from the yacht hesltated.
cor course. If you say so. sir" he
I agreed. "but I would strongly suggest
waiting over a bit There is a bad
storm brewing. and storms In this lat
itude are apt 20 be awkward. Don't
you think you'd better lay over until
the weather. clears upY"
Pinckney whirled on him angrily.
I'm giving the orders" he snapped.
Stnl the seaman could not quite
/ agree. He knew HIS business. and he
! felt n grave responsibility at the
| thought OF taking the wife and dnugh-
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 Ike a
storm"
| Nonsense" snapped Pinckney.
You're too cautious. We leave to-
night and dine on board. Get up steam
az once"
The captain saluted
Certainly. sir" he said. ''The re-
sponsibiIlty Is up 90 you"
Mrs Durant and Frances came down
into the courtyard a few minutes lat
er. just as Pinckney was reading a
cable that a messenger boy had hand
ed 10 him
"Bad news?" asked Mrs Durant anx-
iously.
Pinckney looked up.
"Only that I must return at once"
be said.
whats wrongT' asked the other
two together
The man smiled at their alarm.
Nothing very wrong" ne said. 'In
fact. this cable brings good news. The
l government has notified us TO 60 ahead
on the Rhinestrom gun order"
Then the Sommers gun, OF which
you were afraid7" suggested Mrs.
\ Durant.
Pinckney looked at her in his most
superior manner.
I'VE were never afraid OF the Som
mers gun" he said. 1T was only
his influence I'm Washington"
1t was Frances turn TO flush an
grily.
There was no reason to be afraid
OF that" she declared, as haughtily
as though her own fathers honor had
been impugned. Lieutenant Som
mers would scarcely do anything dis
honorable"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
He could not. even though Il were
l policy, suppress his hatred Of Som
mers.
'Im glad you think So" he sneered
II don't think; / know" retorted the
girl haughtiIy.
Pinckney smiled with triumph.
well, 1t makes no difference now,
anyway" he said. I'VE get the order
for the Rhinestrom gun because the
sommers gun has proved a failure"
Frances face grew suddenly white
as she turned away quickly. The
Sommers gun a failurel What a blow
II must be 10 himl Probably be didn't
know 1t yet How she would like to
comfort him. and she could mott 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 ques-
1 ton:
Can you leave tonightl"
II think so. easily" agreed Mrs. Du-
rant What do you say, Frances q
The girl turned YEARLY. After all.
what difference did il make? She
would not get chance to see Som
mers. His ship might not arrive for
week more. And. IL she did see
him. what could she say? 1t was all
no use. She might as well agree 20
! what they wanted Why struggle
longer? SO she nodded indlferently.
"Ali right; III 20 whenever you
wish"