The Raymer enterprise., 1912-04-04
dinner commenced. he suggested To-
Evelyn that ihe should stroll down
- tho voeht With him efta,-..A

dinner commenced, he suggested To-
Evelyn that ihe should stroll down
to the yacht with him afterward.
Evelyn, my dear" her mother
said, when she protested. ~ ell all
go. l declare, Richard, I'm crazy to
see the new paintings" she continud&.
Nov, EvelynaI must insist that you
do not disappaint Richard on this
last evening q his single life. Go
and put on YOUR wraps, child"
They strollest down to the harbors
together. Lord .Jocelyn and Evelyrssj
advance, Mr.. and Mrs. SQuires bs.
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 asked you to be my wife?"
Yes, Richard" she answered.
steadily, facing him.
II told you then that l esteemed
you more than any woman in the
world. Il think l would have learned
to care for you very much"
would have learned?" said Evelyn,
in astonishment.
you do not repent your bargain.
Evelyn
No. she answered bravely. and hs
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-dimmed
eyes and looked into his own.
mo, there was no need Of that"
she answered simply. Tonight l 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 az
hard as he might. he had a distinct
feeling that her denial would relieve
that strange. sutfocating sensation.
Il have put. love out Of my life,"
she answered. Richard, you will
find in me faithful and devoted
WIFE"
"That's not enough" he answered.
gayly. Suppose. Evie, l were to re-
linquish you to signor Torelli"
"Kh!" she exclaimed, as though he
had stabbed her. They were now
upon the pier at whose end the
yacht was anchored. She turned her
eyes upon him in anguish. He SAID
no more, but, taking her by the arm,
led her aboard. He advanced to the
cabin door, opened 1t, and ushered her
in. Then he closed 1t softly and
waited.
1t did not reopen.
He counted thirty seconds upon his
watch. Then he stepped OF the boat
and. looking toward the bridge.
waved his handkerchief.
simultaneously two men cast Oh
the ropes; the vessel trembled, and
then began to recede from the pier.
The foot Of open water had grown
to hundred yards before he saw a
woman emerge from the cabin and
wave her arms to him and study the
space Of water as though she medi-
tated plunge into its depths. Lord
Jocelyn looked back. Two waddling
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 painter emerge from the cabin
and stand by Evelyn's side. made
a trumpet Of his hands and called
over the waters:
:. Goodbye. Good luck to you!"
|. And, as he turned, he ended his
! soliloquy. '.
I've shut them up aboard and put
a clergyman to keep them company,
and II that don't contrive to turn the
trick before the ship puts into Jack.
eonville. why-I'll marry her my.
/ salf," Lord Jocelyn said.