Putnam patriot., 1909-04-02
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Copyrighted. ials. by A
 Literary Press.
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inc pier and wished. just for mo- ment. that there had been an oppor- trnIfv to get word to some of the peo- ple she could trust.
 This was all so different from her last sailing. and it brought more sharp lv 10 her memory the scene of two days before when she had given Dick Nesbit his ring and had declared that she hated the very sight of his face.
 She had last sailed in June. and the pier had been crowded, but until the very last she had seen Dicks smiling face framed in an indistinet blur of other faces Now she would look in vain. if. indeed. she looked at all
 She had about decided to go .o her stateruoin until the boat should swing inta the stream.
 She half turned to suggest to her aunt that course of action when she caught sight of Dick making his way through the crowd about the gangway and presently he came on board with q heavy suit case that seemed to argue his determination to take passage on the Aurania.
 Amy half turned back to the rail: then sine turned again and made her way to the lower deck. where she knew that the purser's office was To- cated
 Passing rapidly through the gang way. she saw that 1t really was Dick, though he was in earnest conversa, ton with man in blue and brass. and he did not see her.
 He had his pocketbook in his hand, and with flashing eyes Amy made her way back to the upper deck, where her aunt still sat in the winter sunshine enjoying the hustle that preceded the departure.
 One of the most admirable things about Aunt Molly was her willingness 10 do what her tempestuous little niece wished to do. but even the usually placid Aunt Molly demurred when Amy stormed up and demanded that they leave the ship at once.
 But I've said goodby to the Brookes. and Mrs. Brooke is going to send all our mail in care of the London agent. protested the little old lady. we can't go back home after telling the Brookes that we were to be gone until fall. She will tell all her friends and
 And that's just the trouble inter rupted Amy. with a stamp of her little foot. Mrs Brooke has been talking already She must have gone to the telephone the moment we left last night and told everybody she ever knew"
 But what will Dick think If you start and then turn backF" reminded Aunt Molly. determined not to give up a spring in the south of France with out eXhausting every argument
 That's just the trouble, explained Amy. '-4 aat horrid Mrs Brooke must have called him up lust night after promising that she would not tell soul. He's on board I just saw him in the pdrser,s office buying his ticket.
 T thought that they bought them at the dock.s objected Aunt Molly. but Amy shock her head.
 You can buy tickets on board at the last moment. l suppose that Diek-i mean Mir Nesbit-had to wait until he could settle about his practice being looked after-not that there Is so much to the practice" she added spitefully "I don't believe that he's been in court this month"
 .Is he altogether to blame for thaty asked Aunt Molly. fencing for time in which to marshal other arguments.
 And suppose that l did let him waste a lot of time with me.' retorted Amy I've been telling him for the last month that was tired of seeing him about and that our engagement was all a mistake
 Then don't think that he is foi- lowing you" advanced Aunt Molly "Dick is not the sort of man to follow when lie is not wanted. If he Is on board it is because he has to reach Europe by the first steamer. and he won't bother us in the leact."
 Because I shan't give him a chance. explained Amy promptly. ''l am going down to the stateroom to have the steward take our steamer trunks back te the dock It is lucky that we ar ranged to have our other baggage fol. low"
 "But what will people sayf" de maaded Aunt Molly as she rose and prepared to follow her energetic niece IT was plainly 10 be seen that the trip was off. or at least postponed. and Aunt Molly knew the signs well enough to realize when resistance was useless.
 Amy. by lint of liberal tipping. man aged to collect her things on the dock just as the final warning sounded. For the moment it was useless 10 try to leave the dock.
 The port captain stood beside the re maining gangway ready to superin- tend the lowering of the last connec- ton between ship and shore. and line was stretched to keep back those who had not gone to the end Of the pier to wave last farewell.
 The sides of the ship were lined with eager faces. some smiling. some be- dewed with tears. Aunt Molly stood guard over their belongings and looked wistfully at the fortunate ones on the decks.
 lust as the signal was given to hoist. Dick Seshlf appeared at the head ef fhe aaugplank and dashed .awn. lis feet net touching the dock |. fore the nRner ead ef the plank was 6e5stao clear af tae ships side.
 fss. Snranw f1htiv aside i. eseare the