Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-12-24

last it was the girl who spoke.
And tomorrow night you Will be
down there toiling. watching. waiting.
as they forge the gun which is TO make
your fame" she said softly.
And you:" he asked. just as low.
In the darkness she looked up It him.
And J." she Said-"I shall be up here
just where ] am now. watching the
lights and thinking ana praying that
all will be we'll"
Again they stood In silence for
time.
Then the man sighed
Il am afraid to come back again." he
began unSteadily. II think ! had bet
ter say goodby TO you tonight"
She moved slightly closer.
Afraid" 1t was taunt tremulOus-
ly given.
YES" he blurted. Il am afraid. and
you know why"
She did not answer, and he rushed
on. speaking low. eagerly. yet bitterly
You know | cant tell you what
wish to say. l haven't really the right.
/ am pennilesS naval officer and you
the daughter of the biggest steel man
In the country. / haven't the right"
What Is it you wish to say?" She
asked insStenty. She was SO close
their hands touched as he turned to-
ward her. And. touch ng. the hands
chung together
You know what wish TO say" he
exclaimed. If had the right Id tell
you how much love you. I'd tell you
how from Tie first moment | saw you
l wanted You. and you only. Id tell
you how | never have lived until
must he one dreary bank of grinding
duty becaUSe | must lose YOU. Id tell
You that life with you would be more
happiness than any man has the right
to have. Id tell you that Id rather
have one wear of you than Il million
years On earth and all the hon ors that
men could give me. I'd tell you"-he
broke of bitterly for Il second. then
repeated-'1'd tell you enough 10 make
you realize what an absolutely dream
Ing. idioth fool I am. but Id tell you
enough 10 make you know how l suf-
fer because haven't the right to real
ly tell you anything"
In the darkness the girl laughed a
low laugh of pure delight.
You are al absolute. idio,ic. dream
! inS fool" She said. so softly. so ten
derry. that he,co,lld not but understand.
"Frances"'
He barely breathed her name. Then
all reply Was cut off. for she was In
| his arms VIII her own arms about his
neck and their lips were tight to-
| gether.
1t was nearly half an hour later
| when Frances Durant. her cheeks
flushed. her eyes misty with happi-
ness. opened the big front door and
stepped back fnto the lighted hall.
So much had happened in that short
time. She had gone out an anxious,
| worried girl, She re-entered Il glow
ing woman. loved and loving. sure of
| herself and happily confident Of the
future. They were not engaged. No,
indeed! They had sOlemnly assured
l N"Nh OthCk VI thAI AdCl ~ NOuIu uOt
do Mt all for the penniless naval officer
to formally ask the hand OF the steel
kings daughter. But when his gun
had been great success and fame
had come to him then he was to come
and make his formal plea and ask her
father for her hand. And she would
be waiting eagerly for her lover. ready
with her answer and prepared. no mat
ter what happened. TO follow him to
the ends Of the earth.
Edward Pinckney looked up with n
sncer as she entered the library.
ooh. he's gone. has hep he said
contemptuOuSly.
The girl was too happy to mind the
tone.
you mean Mr.. Sommerse" she said
affecting to misunderstood. "Yes: he's
gone"
"Of course mean that naval whip.
persnapper. Who do you suppose ]
meant" he replied sharply. "You
! ought to have more sense. Frances,
| than to stand out on that cold porch
! You're likely to catch pneumonia OF
| anything"
The girl smiled slightly.
"Oh. / wasn't cold" she said.
1--WE been waiting to speak to you"
began Pinckney again. Its about
| something important"
Frances was IN no mood for long,
| dull conversation. She wanted to get
away by herself to think over the last
| half hour. TO feel again the thrill OF
his touch. to hear again in her imagi.
nation the sound Of his voice. So she
spoke somewhat impatiently.
Wont tomorrow do. Edward"
He shook his head with decision.
NO; tomorrow won't do. Frances.
want to talk to you tonight about
something In which l am interested
and In which your mother and father
are interested also-something which
we all wish to bring about"
The girl yawned. She did not have
the least idea what he was going to
sag
"Oh. very well. Edward. if it's any.
thing you wish and mother and father
wish. too. just consider that I have
agreed and let It go at that Don't
worry me-
He stepped toward her suddenly and
before she realized it had put, his arm
about her.
linen we may announce the en-.
gagement ut once" he said master.
fully.
The girl recoiled, then tore herself
from his arms.
mo" she said sharply 6's..-s,,