The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-08-03
| A NOVEL
/ A w EEK
Next Week
tsMR. PRATT"
BY Joseph LineoIa

in silence, while her eyes shrank
from his to the broad reaches of
the valley. Suddenly she started
from his arms as a motOr-car
speeding along the road dashed
into view.
why, it can't be- 1t is, It's
Jack and Uncle Geoffl" She dart
ed across the porch and down the
steps. They must have caught
the White Mountain Express, aft
er ALL"
She sped across the lawn to in
tercept the approaching motor
car as it came circiing up the
driveway. A moment more and
she had sprung daringly upon
the footboard amidst a chorus of
warning EXPLANATIONS; then
strong arms lifted her, laughing,
into the tonneau.
Besides the Japanese man seat
ed alongside the chauffeur, there
were tire occupants of tn car
which Evelyn had impetuously
boarded. Released from the
sturdy arms of her brother Jack.
who looked strangely older, she
noted, and deeply tanned from
his two years sojourn in the Far
East. she was greeted by a mid
dle-aged gentleman - Colonel
Godfrey Winthrop - with a
There, there, Eyie! Just as
much of a romp as ever, | see.
This is Mr.. Poole, whose feet you
must be stepping on as well as
mine"
Evelyn recovered what dignity
|
she could to extend her hand to
the third member of the party. A
pair of penetrating gray eyes fix
ed hers keenly, and she flushed
for no reason at all. Wheeling
about, she leaped from the car as
it halted at the porch, while
Archie came forward to greet the
travellers.
Presently they were all gath
cred about the tea table.
Colonel Winthrop seated him
self in one of the wicker chairs.
81 declare, it's certainly good to
be home again. Try these" he
ended, offering Poole his cigarette
case.
Have we permission Miss Win
throp?" Poole's gray eyes were
turned toward Evelyn.
Good heavens! Pool" Jack
broke in. Permission! Smoke
all over the lpace as much as you
Like" But Poole's gaze, unaffect-
ed by this rejoinder. was fixed
upon Evelyn, who nodded quick
smile of ascent. Then he flung a
cigarette across to his young host.
Have one, Jack?"
Thanks! And-now - EVE
in the pauses Jack lighted the
cigarette-"I will recount in full
detail the history of our two years
abroad"
Archie groaned a protest.
Doesn't appeal to you, Archie
Then get Poole to tell you how he
plaved detective in London and
put one over the Scotland Yard
chaps"
"By Jove!" put in Colonel Win
throp, that was clever, you
know"
poole should have been a de-
| tective," Jack ratified on. If you
ever take a notion to earn your
own living, Poole, go in Tor
sleuthing."
I AS Grimes appeared with a tray
of glasses tinkling with ice, Eve
lyn withdrew to give orders about
the dinner. Later, in her room
she dressed herself, glowing with
happy excitement.
| Jacks a dear" she murmured,
land know he's outgrown-
everything" She hesitated over
the word, and sighed. There was
a footstep in the corridor, and she
slipped to the door. Colonel Win
throp was passing on his way to
his room.
"Oh, Uncle Geoffi"
He caught both her hands.
"Glad we're home, eh?"
Its been so long-and so lone
some" she said. There was a
sudden catch in her voice.
Il know, l know" replied Col
onel Winthrop, gently. His eyes
lifted to the portrait of Evelyn S
father that hung at the far end of
the hall. A year and a half had
passed since his death, which had
come suddenly while Colonel Win
throp and Jack were in India.
There, there, Evie." He kissed
her. We'll, l must be getting
along to my room. Hope Grimes
got my boxes up all right. Some.