Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1915-06-10
CHAPTER Vll-contInued.

CHAf Eli NIl-OOUtiIluCu'
That there was real danger in her
interest in Warrington did not occur 10
her. The fact that she was now will
ing to marry Arthur, without analyz-
ing the causes that had brought her
to this decision, should have warned
her that she was dlmly afraid OF the
stranger. Her glance fell upon the
mandarin's ring. She twirled 1t round
undecidedly. Should she wear 1t or
put 1t away? The question remained
suspended She saw Craig coming
aboard; and she hid her face behind
her magazine. Upon second thought
she let the magazine fall. She was
quite confident that that chapter was
closed. Craig might be scoundrel.
but he was no fool
A sharp blast from the tenders
whistle drew her attention to the
aboard was Warrington. He immedi-
ately sought James; and they stood
together chatting until the tender drew
up alongside the steamer of the Brit
ish-India line. The two men shook
hands finally, Warrington added a
friendly tap on the Eurasian's Shout
der. No one would have suspected
that the white man and his dark COM
panion had been "shipmates," in good
times and in bad, for nearly a decade.
Elsa, watching them from her secure
nook, admired the lack of effusiveness.
The dignity of the parting told her of
the depth of feeling.
An hour later they we're heading for
the delta.
Elsa amused herself by casting bits
OF bread to the gulls. Always they
caught it on the wing, no matter in
what direction she threw it. Some
times one would wing up to her very
hand for charity. its coral feet
stretched out to meet the quick back
play of the wings, its cry shallow and
plaintive and world-lonely.
Suddenly she became aware Of
presence at her side.
A voice said: 1T was not quite
fair Of you"
What wasn't" without turning her
head. She brushed her hands free Of
the crumbs.
you should have let me know that
you we're going to sail on this boat"
"You would have run away, then"
"Why?" startled at her insight.
Because you are little afraid Of
me-" She faced him, without smile
either on her lips or in her eyes.
Aren't your"
Yes. am afraid of all things do
not quite understand"
There is not the least need In the
world Mr.. Warrington. l am quite
harmless. My claws have been clipped.
am engaged to be married, and am
going home to decide the day"
Hes a lucky man." He was aston
ished at his calm, for the blow went
deep.
Lucky? That is in the future. What
lonely thing gull isl"
What a lonely thing lonely man
isl" he added Poor fool! To have
dreamed so fair dream for a single
moment! He tried to believe that he
was glad that she had told him about
the other man. The least this infor
nation could do would be to give him
better control of himself He had moi
been out in the open long enough en-
tlrely to master his feelings,
Men ought not to be lonely" she
said. There's the excitement O.
work, OF mingling with crowds, of go
ing when and where one pleases
Woman's lot is wondering and wait
ing at home. When | marry l SUP
pose that | shall learn the truth o
that"
Perhaps 1t was because he had beef
away from them so long and had los
track of the moods of the feminin
mind; but surely 1t could not be pos
sible that there was real happiness i
this young woman's heart. Its ev
dence was lacking in her voice, in he
face, in her gestures. He thought
over with sigh. He felt sorry for tn
girl, sorry for the man; for 1t was nc
possible that girl like this one woul
go through life without experiencin
that flash of insanity that is called tn
grand passion.
He loved her. He could lean again'
the rail-, his shoulder lightly touchin
hers, and calmly say to himself tn;
he loved her, He could calmly pc
NIT her to pass out of his life as
cloud passes down the sea-rim. +
hadn't enough, but this evil must
fall him. Love! He spread out h
hands unconsciously.
what does that mean?" she aske
AmiDAG now AN invocatoDf"