The Lamar register., 1913-02-19

outside. you know. anyway, and"
Pardon me. Miss Milford. orders
never have to be explained, you
know" interrupted the captain, smil-
ing at the charming girl.
That's right; l take back the ex-
PLANTATION" she said. as Thorne stepped
toward the window; land, captain"
cried the girl.
"Yes?"
BE sure and smoke"
Thorne laughed, as he lighted his
Cigar and stepped out onto the porch.
and thence into the darkness of the
garden path.
"Oh," said Caroline to herself, he
is splendid. II Wilfred were only like
that!" she pouted. But then-our en-
gagement's broken off anyway, 80
what's the difference. II he were like
that-Td- No-I don't think I'd"
Her soliloquy was broken by the en-
trance of Mrs. Varney. who came slow
ly down the room.
why. Caroline dear! What are you
talking about. all to yourself?"
"O-just-I was just saying, you
don't know what
I was Do you think 1t is going to
rain?" she returned in great confu-
sion.
Dear me, child: I haven't thought
about it. Why. what have you got on?
Is that new dress. and in Rich.
mond?"
"A new dress? Well. should think
SO. These are my great-grandmoth-
er's mothers wedding clothes. Aren't
they lovely? Just in the nick of time.
too. l was on my very last rags, or,
rather. they were on me, and l didn't
know what to do. Mother gave me a
key and told me to open an old horse
hair trunk in the attic. and these were
In it." She seized the corners of her
dress and pirouetted step or two for
ward to show 1t off, and then dropped
the older woman an elaborate, old
fashioned courtesy. 81 ran over to
show them to Edith" she resumed.
Where is she? ! want her to come
over to my house."
Upstairs. think. am afraid she
can't come. l have Just come from
her room." Mrs. Varney continued as
Caroline started to interrupt, land she
means to stay here"
Il will see about that" said Caro-
line. running out Of the room.
Mrs. Varney turned and sat down at
her desk to write letter. which evi.
IDENTIFY. from her signs. was not an
easy task. In a short time the girl
was back again. Mrs. Varney looked
up from writing and smiled at her.
You see it was no use, Caroline"
she began.
mo use." laughed the girl; well.
you will see. didn't try to persuade
her or argue with her l Just told
her that Captain Thorne was waiting
for her in the summerhouse. Yes"
she continued, as Mrs. Varney looked
her establishment; "he is still here.
and he said he would take her over.
You just watch which dress she has
on when she comes down. Now
will go out there and tell him she'll
be down In a minute. have more
trouble getting people fixed SO that
they can come to my party than 1t
would take to run blockade into Sa-
vannah every fifteen minutes"
Mrs. Varney looked at her depart. !
ing figure pleasantly for a moment,
and then. with deep sigh, resumed
her writing. but she evidently was aot
to conclude her letter without further
for she had scarcely be. |
gun again when Wilfred came into the
room with bundle very loosely done
up in heavy brown paper As his
mother glanced toward him he made q |
violent effort to conceal it under his |
coat.
What have you got there, VIII.
fred?" she asked incuriously.
That? oh. nothing; it is only
say. mother, have you written that let. |
ter YETI"
mo. my dear. have been too busy
] have been trying to write it, though, |
since came down, but have had one
interruption after another. l think I
will go into your fathers office and do |
1t there" She gathered up her paper
and turned to leave the room. at is
a hard letter for me to write, you
know" she added as she went away.
Wilfred. evidently much relieved nj |
his mothers departure, took the pack.
age from under his coat, put it on the
table, and began to undo 1t. He took
from 1t a pair Of very soiled, dilapil