Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-01-13

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unnecessary. for the face Of
each told plainly how much this chance
meeting meant.
OF course it was the girl who recov-
cred first. With an arch smile that
was very close to tears Of happiness
she held out her hand.
80 you haven't quite forgotten me,
have you? You do know my name.
Won't you shake hands,"
The man came to her eagerly, Selling
her hand and holding il with q. grip
that almost crushed it, while she looked
all the things that he could not just
then say.
Il can hardly believe it's really YOU"
he exclaimed. It's so strange to find
you L Way off here"
Frances heart was pounding with
great throbs Of happiness. He loved
her! That was plain, very plain. Every
look, every gesture, showed it. And
with the knowledge there came to the
heart of the girl a great confidence, a
like, to hide all her feelings and make
him work for everything that in real
ity already belonged to him.
ooh, mother and l are on a cruise"
she said lightly. We've beer here
several days. We didn't have an idea
that we should see you. What a lucky
chance!"
No one from her could have
guessed the weary days Of waiting for
that cruiser, now just arrived.
us your father with you?" asked
Sommers.
The girl shook her head.
"No; father couldn't come. Mr..
Pinckney is with u.s."
The naval officers face hardened
ever SO little.
ooh. yes, Of course" he said, and,
inside, his evident jealousy made the
girl just that much happier.
Eyes. Of ourse VIC had to have some
one" she agreed. won't you sit
down? I'd quite given up all idea Of
ever seeing you again. I'm glad we've
met"
II didn't know that you would ever
want to see nj again." ventured Som
mers as they sat down.
The girls face flushed. This was the
time when there must be some expla-
nation, and her sense Of squareness
made her feel that the explanation
should come from her.
1--WE wanted to see you ever since
that night in the furnace room" she
said at last, Ito ask your forgiveness"
Sommers shook his head.
mo; l have nothing to forgive, Miss
Durant. 1t is l who must ask forgive
ness. If l could only make you I'M
derstand how much I've regretted that
night and my outburst!"
The girl smiled with unconscious
tenderness.
"You had every right to ask what
you did. had given you the right"
she said softly.
The mar sighed.
Nothing could give me the right to
act as I did that night" he said bit
terly. 1--WE been punished for it."
Impulsively she held out her hand
to him across the table.
"Let us forget all about that" she
said. 81 went to the works on a very
silly errand that night. Some time
I'll tell you all about it. We mustn't
waste time about that now. though,
when we have just a few minutes to-
gether."
ga few minutes!" exclaimed Som
mers. "You don't meal that I'm only
going to meet you to say goodby"
Frances nodded.
"I'm afraid that's it for the pres
ent." she said. Were sailing this
afternoon"
Sand I'll be on sea duty for two
years." sighed the man bitterly.
1t was just as hard for the girl. but
the knowledge that she was loved
helped to buoy her up.
"Then we must make the best Of
the time we have" she said. '"Tell me
what you've been doing since I saw
you last"