The evening times., 1911-07-08

1 ~e.@SeSsSS
gossiping villagers.
The captain did undertake to coun-
ter her inquiries and suggestions rel
ative to Margaret and himself by
changing the subject to Stephens fer
vent attentions.
1T Is true" she replied, "that Mr..
Holt comes here quite frequently, and
he processes some interest in me; yet,
captain, it is his boyish fancy, moth
ing more. His good mother disap-
proves, on account Of his age, and
that is sufficient reason, were there
none other"
"Yet," replied the captain, there is
an old adage about love and lock-
smiths"
"That applies only when love is in
tensely mutual, captain. Most wo-
men prize the privilege to choose,
among so many; and there is SO much
time before the age Of thirty"
And SO little afterward," he replied
with laugh.
"1f she fails before then, she still
has her independence and her expert
ence to aid her. rejoined Juanita
I'm her ripper judgment She may meet
with greater reward, If she waits. AS
for me, there is abundant time; am
out of school only a few months, you
know"
Juanita had succeeded in making 1t
so plain to the captains receptive
mind that she did not believe in haste,
he had no doubt that Mrs. Holt would
be greatly relieved. By this time he
had guessed the reason for her deep
solicitude; it was Stephens welfare,
not his. that concerned her.
The important moment had now ar
rived for him to resume his campaign
with Margaret's mother. He would
lose no time in assuring her that the
fair Juanita was far from being ready
to enter the dual state.
And so it was that the captain, when
Mrs. Holt and the Sonora appeared,
was ready to return to the "Pene-
lope," eager for an opportunity to de-
clare himself without further delib-
Grafton. The coveted time came when
he and his hostess reached the yachts
upper deck, and Mrs. Holt seated her.
self preparatory to receiving the cap
taln's report of progress.
1T is useless, my dear madam" be-
gan the captain, "for any man to hope
for recognition in that quarter at
present. Poor Stephen will be disap-
pointed. The young lady prides her
self upon the fact that there is ample
time, IN her case, to choose husband.
This much she vouchsafed quite posi-
lively without knowing that might
nave matrimonial intentions in her
direction. which may frankly say,
my dear Mrs. Holt, l have not. On
the contrary. 1t is but just to you, to
Miss Margaret and to myself, that 1
should tell you how exceedingly hap
py would be If you could look with
favor upon the desire Of my life. 1
love your daughter"
And does Margaret reciprocate
your feelings?" she inquired in a tone
that was not without sympathy.
Il cannot say it with the positive
ness that would like" he answered:
yet l have thought that she might
not be averse to my suit, if it is agree
able to you. My coming to you at this
time is intended to relieve you of fur
ther effort with the Sonora. and to
ask your indulgence of my hope"
"Margaret's happiness, my dear CAP
tain, is SO precious to me that 1 could
not find it possible to interfere. un-
less, to be sure. thought she was
about to make life's mistake. She
must decide; can only advise, and
not until she requests it. My kindly
feelings toward you. captain, will not
De m1sconstrued, am sure"
Il should despise myself IL I failed
10 understand or to appreciate your
considerateness." he replied, cor to
admire your daughters sincerity and
10 respect her for her sentiments to-
ward me. whatever they may be-"
summing up the situation a little
later. the captain found it Impossible
TO delude himself with the thought
that ne had made the least bit of prog
ress. Resolving not to accept Mrs.
Holt's declaration as an ultimatum.
ne waited for an opportunity to make
final appeal to Margaret. II he
found her in the same indefinite frame
OF mind in which he left her when
last he pressed his cause. he would
peg her not to foreclose him forever.
Dut to allow him to stimulate his ex-
istence in anticipation.
When he again unburdened hfs soul
to the winsome Margaret, not omit
ting to tell her Of his interview with
ner mother. she found it difficult to
conceal her distress. The CAPTAIN
pleaded with new fervor. He was
intensely in earnest, and Marearet's
heart was sorely touched, as it would
have been had she found a wounded
bird by the roadside. Such was her
sympathetic nature.
Mother is right about. CAPTAIN. :"
she replied, frankly. "It is a matter
that must decide, for it concerns not
only my own happiness, but the han
p'ness OF others. We two have been
good friends. For my part l have
sometimes thought it might be some
thing more. and again-but there !"
giving him her hand, which he press-
| ed to htS Inns "vffh mo {< x,,,1,