The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-03-11

and Intimate contact, and"
ooh, it's quite unthinkable!'
said Virginia. pascal was old
and-and she'd always known him
as her uncle"
"Such circumstances" assent.
ed Mrs. Stott, make all the diff.
ference in the world"
When the absorbed Virginia
saw the force of this remark, she
almost snapped at her compan.
ion.
mot at ALI" said she. "Not
the least difference in the world
Resorting to Tennyson. she
found the lines:
"Set the maiden fancies wallowine
in the troughs of lola.
ism,-
Forward, forward, ay and back.
ward, downward too into
the abysm,"
threw the book away, and went
down to watch for boats-espe-
cially for a remarkably fast motor
launch, which had cleared from
Weeks Bay up river recently
laden with magnolia blossoms
youth, and palpitations of the
heart. 1t was a long time com.
ing, so Virginia took up Pene.
lope's occupation. She wove 8
web of fancies every night and
raveled them out next morning.
One day her heart fluttered
when Chloe announced a man tc
see her; for it must mean al
emissary from the Shaynes OF
from Uncle Theodore, she thought
1t was, in fact, Captain Harrod
unchanged, save that he wore
boots. The captain thought hel
charming; and, as she shook his
hand, her voice seemed mysteri.
ously vibrant.
"Mistah Theodo'," said he
"reckoned Aid bettah stop by an
ask how you-all is. an tell you
all we-all ah tol'able well, an
gettin' the machine raght neah
ready to la'nch, ma'am."
Thank you," replied Miss
Suarez. us that all?"
Captain Harrod felt himself in
an equivocal position. 1t really
was all his message, but it seemed
too bald and Spartan for real
courtesy.
He says" extemporized the
ancient mariner, they'd maghty
little to see thah; but we'd be
raght pleased, ma'am, IL you-all
could pass thataway an stop by
WED be in the way" said
Virginia gratefully.
ooh, no." the captain assured
her. mot at all; but it maght
be announcement for you, ma'am.'
az found life quite-quite giddy
there!" said she.
The captain did not allow him.
self the luxury of a smile. He
consented to stay to luncheon
during which meal he described
the aeronef with an approxima-
ton to enthusiasm.
''If she flies" said he, IAN
Mistah Theodo' allows she sho
will, she'll mex the long-toms an
skaoucks think they's a new
breed o. hawks loose"
Uncle Theodore" suggested
Virginia to Mrs. Stott, after learn
ing about long-toms and skaoucks
"has invited us to visit him. And
do you know, think Well go back
with the captain, if. you can over
come your aversion TO the water
"Will the bay be rough?" ask
ed Mrs. Stott, as if confident that
the captain served out the
weather.
Dead cam, ma'am," said the
captain. "Flat as a founder"
"And think" went on Virginia
chow interesting it will be to see
the first great aeronef launched
Please, please, let's go!"
when do you start F" asked
Mrs, Stott, wavering.
"EaIy this evenin'," replied the
captain.
"WeIl go." said Mrs. Stott.
The captain, considering all
that part of the day between the
midday meal and nightfall as
"eevning," and after dark as
night, had to make this distinc-
ton clear to the ladies, who, when
they understood 1t, hurried packed
their dunnage, and embarked
They were a gay party; Virginia
was full of laughter; her color
rose and her eyes dilated as they
took the stream early enough, to
the captains relief, to lie them
through the New Canal, from
Strong's Bayou to the Lagoon by
daylight; for there were ghosts
in this region by night.
do you see any signs Of a
Storm" asked Mrs. Stott, noting
his upward glances.
mo, ma 'am," he returned. "Ah
was just tryin' to make out II
Aid eve seen that craft befo'
aloft thah."
The craft alluded to was a
great silver Condor, cleaning In
the sun, her rudder. dark line
across her bow, and along her
side the stripe of narrow aero
plane.
Virginia studied her absorbedly
with her field-glasses. She was
standing over from Mobile, and
was now above Montrose, sailing
low as IL for a short voyage.
ar think - said VlrQinia