Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11

| Inc trSt sign or rcHi interest the girl
showed after starting was when tho
yacht cast anchor in the broad hnrbor
Of Ponce. Porto Rico. and she learned
puite by accident that the cruiser
Roanoke wn5 expected there In a few
days.
Then. 70 the intense establishment Of
Mrs. Durant and Plnckncy. Frances
once more asserted herself. She de-
clored that she loved the old Spanish
town. Even the dirty plaza. two miles
away from the main city. Interested
her. She insisted on staying over. be-
cause she declared. she was deter
mined to study the town and the peo-
pie and even ride over the famous mil
itary road constructed by the Spau-
iards at terrible cost OF labor and
life from Ponce through the mountains
to San Juan.
Nothing that 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 to slip
over TO the government house to find
pected.
! 1t was very pretty game Of hide
aud 20 seek that the girl and pinck.
ney played without realizing it. l'inck.
ney also every day had inquired about
the coming of the Roanoke. He knew
that Sommers was attached to the
cruiser. and he was determined that
&c
not by any chance meet.
His orders were quietly given, and
the captain of the lrvessa was ready
the moment the Roanoke should mp
pear IL the harbor TO get up steam
preparatory to leaving
Then, with these plans all laid.
Pinckney began his own plans for de.
parture. First he approached Mrs Du-
rant and found her only too glad to
go, At his suggestion she spoke 10
Frances. Only to meet a fiat refusal.
81 don't want to go yet. mother"
protested the girl. I'm having
splendid time here in my own way,
and ! can't see any reason for lenv.
ing. I'd ike to ride up to 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 you:"
Frances expression showed only
amazement, but her heart was beating
hard.
Lieutenant Sommers|' 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 this
Roanoke is expected here in the bar.
boz, and he is on board.
is he:' said Frances. still seeming
surprised. why, how nice that would
be-"
Nonsense" snapped her mother.
Frances. ! don't care for that young
naval officer. and don't see why you
can't get him out OF 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.
"Ilumph Maybe he 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 | would like to
see you two married"
The girl shook her head decisively.
and her tone was very firm when she
answered.
I'm very sorry. mother. to disnp-
point sou and dad. but must tell you
once and for all l wouldn't marry Ed
ward Tinckncy II he were the only
man on earth"
The mother looked at her daughter,
amazed.
Frances Durant. I'm ashamed of
YOU. Sne cTlVC. IltTc you w Huu iiIe
enduring that horrid yacht for n month
past merely because | thought it would
help TO bring this match about. and
nov you tell me you'!l never marry
him. I've never been so treated in my
life"
Frances could not help laughing She
slipped her arm about her mothers
neck nffectionatcly.
I'm nwfully sorry. mother. dear. but
| don't see how | can help you. You
wouldn't have me marry man don't
love. would you?"
NO" agreed her mother uncertain
r.; II don't want to force YOU
Then | expect it's settled" decided
he girl. with Il long breath of sntis-
faction I'VE won't say nny more
about it,"
Mrs. Durant knew Frances well
enough not to try to argue the matter.
She still had some hope. for she had
dWelt on the prospect so long that she
could not mt once give 1t up entirely.
one change OF scene had failed to
work. She would try another
well. then. for goodness snke.
Frances let's go home" she said cngcr.
ly. II want to get settled in my own
room and feel the .loor stay still"
The girl sighed.
Very well. mother; well 90 home
xf-h ,ls.l, ell,