The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-04
(Contlnued.1
Frederic Thompson.

1 SYeS, or course we nau to nave Sohle oIhS' she agreed. Wont you sit down? I'd quite given up all idea of ever seeing you again. Pm glad we've mgt"
 sf didn't know that you would ever | want to see me again." ventured Som- mers as they sat down.
 Ehe girls face flushed. This was the time when there must be some expla- nation, and her sense of squareness made her feel that the explanation should come from her.
 Five wanted to see you ever since that night in the furnace room." she said at last, ''to ask your forgiveness" Eommers shook his head. kNo; have nothing to forgive, Miss Diirant. It is I who must ask forgive ness If could only make you un- derstand how much I've regretted that night and my outburst!'
 The girl smiled with unconscious tenderness.
 ssYou had every right to ask what you did had given you the right she said softly.
 Ehe man sighed.
 s'Nothing could give me the right to act as I did that night" he said bit teely. sI'ye been punished for it."
 Impulsively she held out her hand tofhim across the table. aI.et us forget all about that" she said sT went to the works on very l sAly errand that night. Some time rH tell you all about 1t. We mustn't waiste time about that now, though, when we have just few minutes to- 1 gether.'' "A few minutesp' exclaimed Som mers. ssYou don't mean that Pm only going to meet you to say goodby"
 Frances nodded.
 ssI'm afraid that's 1t for. the pres ent," she said. Were sailing this afternoon s.And I'll be on sea duty for two years" sighed the man bitterly.
 It was just as hard for the girl, but the knowledge that she was loved helped to buoy her up
 s.Then we must make the best of the time we have" she said. 'Tell me what you've been doing since I saw you last. s's . :. .,@s4 -t3s 1T ... Sommers shrugged his shoulders Nothing to tell Been at sea, that's a1I,'' he said.
 ~But surely you do something at sea?. persisted the girl
 He was still too disconsolate at the thought of porting to quite lift him. self into her mood.
 "Oh, we eat and sleep, and I've taken up wireless a little in my spare moments expect you know why. I've been interested in it ever since you gave me my first lesson, in your workroom." T9 @i
 .Can you send and take '" she asked eagerly.
 IA little. but am slow at it."
 The girl was leaning on the table now in her eagerness, for already an idea had occurred to her.
 ssI can send well now," she exclafm- ed. q spent lots of time in the IT, vessa's little wireless room. It seems SO much more wonderful on sea than it did on land. Oh, the mystery of 1t all!
 s.sThipk of being away of tossing about in boat, with nothing but sky and water anywhere in sight, and to have one who fs''-she hesitated mo- ment, and bright flush rose as she went on, correcting herself quickly q mean, of course, if there should be
 
 game ocean. You don't know where, how near or how far, but by touching a key you can send your thoughts fly ing in every direction, and the little wave currents bearing your message will quiver around him, brush by him, perhaps touch his cheek in passing, and you wonder if he feels it."
 The man was looking at her queerly.
 "By love, that's strange!" he said, low, as she finished.
 Frances laughed teasingly.
 '.Why, have you ever felt message dancing about you?'' she questioned.
 Soma shook his head.
 "No, but the Roanoke did. 1t was very singular, assure you. was in the wireless room one night couple of weeks ago talking to the operator the girl leaned forward with sudden, tense eagerness-.'when suddenly, with out a call or getting our response or any preliminary that the well 'regu- lated message indulges in before com ing to you, over our recorder there came clicking in wonder message"
 His voice softened to a note of ten derness
 ssIt was a message of love-the ten, derest and sweetest I've ever known No one could tell for whom it was in. tended I don't think it knew itself It had gone astray.
 NIt was sent by a woman-it must have been-and it found home with us Not a man on that ship but car ries it now in his heart. May tell fl to your
 The girl was looking at him, hel heart in her eyes.
 "A love message? Of course" shs said softly. But how extraordinary!
 Sommers nodded.
 ..Wasn't it? It seemed almost crue that such dear little message, so in nocent and pure, should have, beer thrown out into this hard old world ol ours to d. through the air, through heat and cold and storm, vainly seek ing an owner; going on and on, miles nC r,1iIps m pvarv direction nntil at