Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-04
"Of course.>lf you say SO, sir" he

waiting over a bit. There is a bad
storm brewing, and storms in this lat
itude are apt to be awkward. Don't
you think you'd better lay over until
the weather clears up?"
Pinckney whirled on him angrily.
I'm giving the orders" he snapped
Still the seaman could not quite
agree. He knew his business, and he
felt a grave responsibility at the
thought Of taking the wife and daugh-
ter of the owner into danger.
Certainly, sir, I'm under your or
ders," he said, but we have the ladies
on board, and they might not like a
storm"
Nonsense" snapped Pinckney
You're too cautious. We leave to-
night and dine on board. Get up steam
at once"
The captain saluted.
Certainly, sir" he said. 1.-The re-
sponsibility is up to you."
Mrs. Durant and Frances came down
into the courtyard few minutes lat
er, just as Pinckney was reading a
cable that a messenger boy had hand
ed to him.
bad news?" asked Mrs. Durant
anxiously.
Pinckney looked up.
"Only that 1 must return at once, u
he said.
Whats wrong?" asked the other
two together.
The man smiled at their alarm.
Nothing very wrong" he said. I'm
fact, this cable brings good news. The
government has notified Us to go ahead
on the Rhinestrom gun order"
Then the Sommers gun, Of which
you were afraid?" suggested Mrs. Du-
rant.
Pinckney looked at her in his most
superior manner.
I'VE were never afraid of the Som
mers gum" he said. 1T was only his
influence in Washington"
It was Frances turn to flushed 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 Sommers
would scarcely do anything dishonora-
ble."
The man shrugged his shoulders.
He could not, even though it were
policy, suppress his hatred Of Som
mers.
Pm glad you think so," he sneered.
II don't think; know" retorted the
girl haughtily.
Pinckney smiled with triumph.
"well, it makes no difference now,
anyway" he said. I'VE 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 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-
tions--.-o----s -. .---------->---z------
Can you leave tonight?"
Il think so, easily" agreed Mrs. Du-
rant. What do you say, Frances?"
The girl turned wearily. After all,
what difference did it make? She
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.
"I'll 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 a 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 1t
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 a 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.
SdH you tell HE "iSiS Soii iiiiN'
Mr.. Pinckney?" he asked.
The man was so obviously not mere
ly 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-
toners manner was thoroughly re-
spectful and yet seemed to demand a
reply.
Il 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-
noke anchored in the harbor an hour
ago and that Lieutenant Sommers Is
expected at this hotel any minute
Then, bowling coolly, he turned and
walked off, leaving Frances staring
..,l,,