Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-13
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CHATTER II
FRANCES GOES TO SEA

lowing the casting or the som
merS gun. three months that
had brought many changes TO
those whose lives had been for short
time tangled ia the intricate maze OF
pride. love and ambition.
The gun had been taken 20 the prov
ing grounds and there had stood the
test. The naval board was enthusi-
astic over &c. All that remained was
for the weapon 70 prove its efficiency
on shipboard az target practice and IL
would be adopted by the government
Orders on the Rhinestrom gun were
still held up pending the result OF tar
get practice.
Lieutenant Sommers had been or
dcred back 10 sea duty. Apparently
he had achieved his ambition. The
future looked bright for him in his
chosen profession. Fellow officers en-
wed him. He was considered a won
derful young man, and a bright future
in the service Of his country seemed In
store.
All this on the side Of ambition. but
on the other side life was not SO
bright. He knew that no matter how
high he might rise in his profession
happiness could not be his lie had
lost irretrievably the girl he loved
and satisfied ambition meant little 90
him compared 20 that
On the morning after the>sensational
events IN the furnace room Sommers
had called az the Durant house. Fran
ces had refused 10 see him. He wrote
her letter. AID e was returned 10
him unopened. Finally he managed TO
meet her on the street. but she passed
him by without speaking.
Next morning the young officer re-
ported back In Washington for duty.
And how about the girl? She had
hurried away from the works that
night burning with shame and raging
with anger. She determined never 20
see Sommers again. She hated him
She knew she didl And 20 make Il
sure she told herself so over and over
again.
The next day she was stin enraged
when he called. IL cost no effort 20
have him turned from the door. when
his note arrived she started impu
sively 10 open Il. then checked her
self She would be firm; she would
punish him
And so With some slight effort she
handed the letter 10 the servant with
instructions 10 return Il 10 Lieutenant
Sommers at his hotel
Passing her old lover on the street
had been an effort. but that. too. she
managed 10 do 10 took the last or
her anger. however. The reaction had
come. She began 10 regret. then 70
forgive and finally 10 long once more
for the one man who she felt sure.
could make her happy
A little discreet questioning had
brought out the cause OF his anger
She found out the real reputation Of
Pinckney among the work people. The
discovery shocked her.
She understood then why Sommers
had been so enraged. She saw IL was
not against her or brought about by
any doubt OF her. but merely fierce.
uncomfortable rage against Pinckney
that he had dared-a man o. his kind
to put her in position that his char
acter at once made questionable.
When she had finally come TO a real
understanding the girl ionged to write.
but Sommers by that time was away
on sea duty. and she could not reach
him. Against her own judgment she
had longed for and expected some
word from him. But the naval Off
GERS pride was too great to pursue a
further intrusion after so signal a re-
buff
Then the girl began TO grow pale
the change without realizing the cause.
No one hac any suspicion OF the real
relation between Frances and the
young naval officer. That good
night" on the vine covered porch was
a secret-a tender memory locked in
her heart and In his. 20 be brought out
by each. regarded fondIy and mourned
over when alone.
Sommers mad his work, bur Frances
had nothing 10 distract her mind. No
wonder she grew paler and seemed 20
lose interest in everything. Mr. end
Mrs Durant became alarmed. They
consulted doctors. but there was moth
ing wrong physically with their
daughter. Finally one big expert pro-
posed a sea voyage. and for the first
time Frances showed some sign of in
terest- Mr. Durant paid a double
size bill cheerfuily. thinking that doc
tor wonderful man
The Durant yacht. the lrvessa, was
got ready as quickly as possible. Mr.
Durant could not 90 himself. and he
decided IL would be a good plan 10
send his wife and daughter away for
cruise In charge OF Pinckney.
Now for a month they cruised. but
Frances showed little sign OF interest.
Pinckney was the only one who
seemed TO get real enjoyment out OF
the trip. He now felt that victory
must in the end be his.