Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-07
CHAPTER XII.
A Wireless Message.
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CHAPTER XII.
A Wireless Message.
Frances and Sommers stared at each
other, 18th at first unable to speak
Perhaps speech was unnecessary, fol-
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.
so you haven't quite forgotten me,
have you? You do know my name!
Won't you shake hands?"
The man came to her eagerly, seizing
her hand and holding it with a grip
that almost crushed it, while she look
ed all the things that he could not just
then say.
Il can hardly believe it's really you"
he exclaimed. Its so strange to find
you away off here"
Frances heart was pounding with
great throbs Of happiness. He loved
her! That was plain, very plain. Every
look, every gesture, showed 1t. And
with the knowledge there came to the
heart of the girl great confidence,
content that made her able, woman
like, to hide all her feelings and make
him work for everything that in real
ity already belonged to him.
"Oh, mother and are on a cruise
she said lightly. We've been here
several days. We didn't have an idea
that We should see you. What a lucky
chance!"
No one from her manner could have
guessed the weary days Of waiting for
that cruiser, now just arrived.
rs your father with you?" asked
Sommers.
The girl shook her head.
mo: father couldn't come. Mr..
Pinckney Is with u.s."
The naval officers face hardened
ever so little.
"Oh, yes, of course" he said, and,
inside, his evident jealously made the
girl Just that much happier.
Yes, Of course we had to have some
one" she agreed. Wont 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 me 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.
I've 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: 1 have nothing to forgive, Miss
Durant. It is l who must ask forgive
ness. II 1 could only make you un-
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. 1 had given you the rignt'
she said softly.
The man sighed.
Nothing could give me the right to
act as l 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. Il went to the works on very
silly errand that night. Some time III
tell YOU all about it. We mustn't I
waste time about that now, though,
when we have just few minutes to-
gether."
"A few minutes" exclaimed Som
mers. You don't mean 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. We're sailing this al
ternoon."
And I'll be on sea duty for two
years" sighed the man bitterly.
1t was just as hard for the girl, put
the knowledge that she was loVeo
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 l saw
you last
Sommers shrugged his shoulders.
Nothing to tell. Been at sea, that S
ALL" he said.
But surely you do something at
sea-" persisted the girl.
He was still too disconsolate at the
thought of parting to quite lift him.
self into her mood.
"Oh, we eat and sleep, and I've
taken up wireless a little in my spare
moments. l expect you know why
I've been interested in it ever since
Won gave me my first lesson in your
workroom."
Can you send and take?" she asked
eagerly.
"A little, but am slow at it."
The girl was leaning on the table
now in her eagerness, 1or areduy ai'
idea had occurred to her.
Il can send we'll now," she exclalm-
ed. 81 spent lots of time In the IL
yassa's little wireless room. 1t seems
so much more wonderful on sea than
II did on land. Oh, the mystery OF II
all!
Think of being away off tossing
about in a boat with nothing but SKY
and water anywhere in sight, ana to
have one who is"-she hesitated mo-
ment. and a bright flush rose as she
went on, correcting herself quickly
"I mean, of course, if there should De
some one very dear to you on that
same ocean. You don't know where
how near or how far, but by touching
a key you can send your thoughts fly
ing in every direction, and the little
wave currents bearing your message
will culver around him. brush by him.
perhaps touch his cheek in passing
and Won wonder If he feels 1t"