The Redwood gazette., 1909-11-10

eve were never afraid of the Som
mers gum" he said 1T was only
his influence in Washington"
1t was Frances turn to flush an
grily.
There was no reason to be afraid
of that" she declared. as haughtily
as though her own fathers honor had
been impugned. Lieutenant Som
mers would scarcely do anything dis
honorable
The man shrugged his shoulders.
He could not, even though it were
policy, suppress his hatred of Som
mers.
I'm glad you think so,' he sneered.
81 don't think; know" retorted the
girl haughtily.
Pinckney smiled with triumph.
"Well, it makes no difference now,
anyway" he said. 1--WE get the order
for the Rhinestrom gun because the
Sommers gun has proved a failure"
Frances face grew suddenly white
as she turned away quickly. The
Sommers gun a failure! What a blow
1t must be to him! Probably he didn't
know it yet. How she would like to
comfort him, and she could not! He
would not listen to her. If she only
could see him now! She was still so
engrossed with her own thoughts that
she scarcely heard Pinckney's ques-
ton:
"Can you leave tonight?"
Il think so, easily" agreed Mrs. Du-
rant. What do you say, Frances?"
The girl turned wearily. After all,
would not get a chance to see Som
mers. His ship might not arrive for
a week more. And, if she did see
him, what could she say? 1t was all
no use. She might as well agree to
what they wanted. Why struggle
longer? So she nodded indifferently.
"All right; I'll go whenever you
wish.''
Pinckney smiled his triumph, and
Mrs. Durant beamed.
'Pll hurry right upstairs and pack" ;"
she said. I'VE can leave in an hour"
When Pinckney and her mother had
gone Frances sat down at table by
herself to think. She was so lonely,
and everything was so hopeless There
was no chance of seeing Sommers, no
chance of their ever coming together
again
And she loved him. She knew that
now. The clutch at her heart when
she heard of his misfortune made it
very clear to her. 1t was no use to
try to deceive herself any longer She
,, loved him. She wanted him, for he
was the one man in all the world who
could make her happy. Now she was
miserable, and he was failure.
Pardon me, Miss Durant."
At the cool. penetrating voice Fran
ces looked up. A big man with a
shrewd face and clear, cold gray eyes
that had the particular faculty of com
pelling and riveting attention stood
beside the table with his hat in his
hand.
Can you tell me where l can find
Mr. Pinckney?' he asked.
The man was SO obviously not mere
~ seeking to scrape an acquaintance
that the girl had no hesitancy in reply
ing.
In the hotel | think she said cool
ly.
You intend sailing almost immedi-
ately. do you not?" persisted the man.
The girl was surprised. but the ques-
toner's manner was thoroughly re-
spectful and yet seemed to demand a
reply.
81 believe so-yes." she said and half
turned away.
The queStioner bowed
, THANK you" He half turned to go.
then stopped and, turning back. said
! coolly:
: by the way. it may interest you,
, Miss Durant, to know that the Roa-
Eoke anchored III the barber an hour
, ago and that Lieutenant Sommers is
expected at this hotel any minute
Then. bowling coofly. he turned ANA
walked Oft. leaving Frances staring
after him in astonishment.
A slight noise back of her brought
the girl to her senses. She looked up
curiously. -e