The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-11

dinner commenced, he suggested to|
Evelyn that she should stroll down!
to the yacht with him afterward.
Evelyn, my DEAR" her motberj
said, when she protested, :" ell aIt
go. l declare, Richard, I'm crazy to-
see the new paintings" she continued.
Nov, Evelyn, l must insist that you
do not disappoint Richard on his
last evening of his single life. Go
and rat on your wraps, child"
They strolled down to the harbor
together, Lord Jocelyn and Evelyn in
advance, MI. and Mrs. Squires be-
hind them. And, as the inevitable
hour approached, Lord Jocelyn felt
a curious and unwonted sense of con-
traction in his throat.
"Evie," he said a little huskily,
do you remember our conversation
in the conservatory that evening
when 1 asked you to be my wife?"
"Yes, Richard" she answered,
steadily, facing him.
II told you then that I esteemed
you more than any woman in the
world. l think l would have learned
to care for you very much"
would have %learned7" said Evelyn,
in establishment.
Evelyn"
NO." she answered bravely, and he
felt something splash upon his hand
that pressed her arm.
Jocelyn looked back. Far, far be-
hind him waddled the varnish king
with his amiable spouse. Evelyn"
he said, you did not tell me that
there was another"
He felt her shake from head to
foot. She raised her tear-dlmmed
eyes and looked into his own.
mo. there was no need of that"
she answered simply. Tonight / put
all memory of him aside. You need
not fear my loyalty" she ended.
But you still love him?" asked
Lord Jocelyn, and, somehow. try rs
hard as he might, he had a distinct
feeling that her denial would, relieve
that strange. suffocating sensation.
Il have put love out Of my life,''
she answered. "Richar1, you will
find in me a faithful and devoted
wife,"
"That's not enough" he answered:
gayly. Suppose, EVE, l were to req
linquish you to Signor Torelli"
"Ah!" she exclaimed, as though be
had stabbed her. They were now
upon the pier at whose end the
yacht was anchored. She turned her
o1yoe ,,~1- h;~o ~ c-o-;rb III ,,iJ
no more, but, taking her by the arm,
led her aboard. He advanced to the
cabin door, opened it, and usbered her
in. Then he closed it softly and
waited.
1t did not reopen.
He counted thirty seconds upon his
watch. Then he stepped off the boat
and, looking toward the bridge,
waved his handkerchief.
simultaneously two men cast off
the ropes; the vessel trembled, and
then began to recede from the pier.
The foot of open water had grown
to a hundred yards before he saw a
woman emerge from the cabin and
ave her arms to him I'M study the
space of water as though she medi-
tated a plunge into its depths. Lord
Jocelyn looked back. Two wadd]jng
figures were approaching the pier en-
trance.
"A narrow escape for the parties
Of all the three parts.' he murmured.
Then, as the vessel receded further
into the distance, he saw the figure
Of a painter emerge from the cabin
and stand by Evelyn's side. j G made
a trumpet of his hands and called
over the waters:
Goodbye. Good luck to ycu!"
And, as he turned, he ended bis
soliloquy.
i've shut them up aboard and put
a clergyman to keep them company,
and if that don't %contrive to turn the
trick before the ship puts into JACK
sonville, why-I'n marry her my.
SELF" Lord Jocelyn said.