Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-06-08

her from his saddle, his face a bit
hard and tense in the cool moonlight,
his eyes full of yearnins. She had
said no, of course-every girl does
the first time she is asked by a man
and If he had been older he would
have understood the challenge In her
eyes and words, and fought the game
out with her to its winning. She had
wished him to win, but the next
morning when she had risen she got
the news Of his departure for New
York on the first train out.
And now he was on board. under
an assumed name. In q stateroom
for self and wife"
81 say. Vera, here he comes" Phil
said suddenly. "I'm going. Good
luck, sis. You might offer my con-
CALCULATIONS with your own. They
say lemons are good for s~easickness."
The next moment Ralph Maynard
stood in front Of her, cap off. very
erect, and on the defensive, but with
the same splendid brown eyes that
could plead a cause better than all
the lips In tho world, she had once
thought.
Il would have spoken before, but
you didn't seem to remember me,
Miss Chalmers"
We've only been out one day."
She looked up with a smile, but II
was not an encouraging smile. A
girl does not feel sunny and sweet
tempered toward a man who takes
unto himself a wife six months after
he has made love to her, Il had not
noticed you before"
May | take Phil's chair for a
while?"
Surely, II you wish" She waited
a moment. then said gently, very gent
ly: How is your wife. Mr.. Maynard?'
Good Lord. I'm not married"
gasped the boy. How can you ask
that. when you know | never loved
any woman in the world but you.
Vera? Why. l heard at the last min,
ute you and Phil We're sailing on this
boat for the futile wedding in London
and l caught 1t at the last minute. Just
for the chance Of even looking at
you"
Haven't you n wife In stateroom
d. who is seasick and unable to ap'
pear during the voyage?"
He met her clear blue ayes un.
f%inchingly and tried to speak. but she
wen m. Didn't you tell the old gen
tleman from Virginia. In the smoker,
that your wife was delicate? Aren't
you registered on the list as Somer.
set Lane? Oh, Ralph. ! never thought
you could do such n thing! And then
to make love to me-"
She tried to rise. but he caught
both her hands and held her firmly.
Listen. sweetheart" he said. Il
was fool enough to let you get away
from me last fall at Pinehurst. but
you won't this time. ! am registered
as Somerset Lane. Don't struggle.
please. till | get through. and the
passage vas booked for self and
Wife"
Then where's your Wife," she
flashed back.
She's a myth" he laughed. ut was
too late to engage a regular passage
on this boat. Everything was taken.
Sc | hustled to the brokers' offices
and landed a ticket and booking for
Somerset Lane and wife"
but who are they"
who cares? ! took the double
booking, of course. for the chance OF
crossing with you. And | had to
carry 1t out, didn't !? am Somerset
Lane. pro TEN. If my wife Isn't sea
sick, where Is she? | have to tell
something about her, or they'll C
me of having thrown her overheard.
Don't you see?"
Her eyes were full Of mirtn. IT'S
very suspicious"
Not half so suspicious as 1t will
be when | come back on another boat
under my " name. with another
wife. Can you risk II. Vera?"
She hesitated and sighed, then
laughed again.
81 suppose that 10 really as near as
you'll ever get to q proposal. Ralph,
so I'll have TO say yes. You may
book passage for self and wife on the
return trip, but don't you dare take
Il on this boat"