Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-12-17

felt that 1t was not advisable to make
any reference to him in her letters to
Tom.
Tom was looking forward anxiously
to seeing her when her vacation came,
the following month. Perhaps then
she would tell Tom. Perhaps
She went to bed with a conscience
not wholly free from problems.
It was a day or two later that Miss
Elizabeth spoke of her vacation to the
colonel.
why, have been thinking of that"
he said. 81 shall want you-at least,
should like to have you help me, If you
can. You see, Miss Elizabeth, am
taking little yachting party to Key
West, and ought to keep in touch
with business affairs. If you could ac-
company us, you can have another
holiday when we get back"
The yachting trip was to take about
six weeks. Miss Elizabeth had never
been at sea; much as she wanted to
see Tom again the invitation was ir-
resistible. The colonel told her that
there were to be three or four other
ladies' They were to go aboard the
vessel at the little private dock at
seven in the evening, week thence.
Miss Elizabeth wrote letter to
Tom. explaining the situation and
promising to come home as soon as
she returned. Then, at the appointed
hour, she accompanied the colonel.
who called at her boarding house in a
taxicab, to the pier.
The yacht lay alongside the wharf.
A watchman paced her decks, but,
though they inspected her from stem
to stern, there was no sign of the 9TH
ers. They had sat down for a mo-
ment in the dining saloon. The girl
was becoming little nervous.
I'VE will have dinner now," said the
colonel.
wait a minute" said the girl hur-
riedly. when will the others be
here? Your sister-is she not expect
ed before we dne?"
The colonel pulled his mustache and
looked hard at her. Then he stretched
out one hand and patted hers gently.
my dear" he said, I'VE are going to
be the only two passengers aboard this
trip"
The girl looked at him with terrified
eyes and rose from her chair with
little gasp. To the last day of her life
she always pictured the colonel thus,
seated before her, pulling his dropping
mustache, and n,.ing at her with
such a kind expression on his face.
Il thought you understood, Eliza
BETH" said the colonel in tones or
grave poiteness. There was reproach
in his voice, but Colonel Slee could
never be anything but gentleman.
"But-you sad-you said" the girl
exclaimed; and even then she could
not quite believe it. But presently she
understood She was not at all angry.
She felt the tears of humiliation rush
to her eyes, that he should have mis-
understood her so. And there was
more than humilation-there was real
sorrow for the loss Of friend. the
only friend she had had, except Tom,
since her parents died
Are you going Elizabeth" asked
the colonel, watching her.
She began buttoning her coat You
ought not to ask me that-O, what
have done to make you think other
wise?" she pleaded.
"My dear" said the colonel, Il
thought you understood the situation.
Perhaps was wrong; had no wish to
deceive you. That is not my way.
There are certain conventions
why did you think | was taking you
out to luncheons and dinners?"
"As a friend" she cried hotly, feel.
ing her cheeks burning.
He shook his head Men Of fifty do
not make friends of their lady en-
ployees in that way. my dear" he an
swered 81 am sorry. Let me help
you with your coat"
They went up the stairs to the deck
and stood side by side there for a mo-
ment. Everything in Elizabeth's life
seemed to have crumbled into ashes.
She turned.
81 am sorry" she said. Il wish l
had understood. Good-by."
For the life Of her she could not
summon any indignation against him.
She did not feel the insult then, only
the unbearable loss.
Colonel Slee took her hand In his
and bent over it. They strolled up the
dock; he called taxicab and escorted
her to her door. Then he raised his
hat and left her.
On the following morning special
delivery message arrived for the girl,
asking her to hold her position at the
store till the colonel's return. They
need not meet, he said, but he trusted
she would take charge of his interests
till he could make arrangements.
Elizabeth went back to business.
She did not see him again. The
yacht was wrecked in the great storm
that ravaged the Florida coast that
summer. Colonel Slee never appeared
again. He doubtless died, with all the
crew. But he had had time to make
certain arrangements. The girl found
herself the possessor Of substantial
legacy. But she never told Tom all the
circumstances. That was page of
her life that she tore out of the book.