The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-03
CHAPTER XIV.
JuIla's Romance.

QulSe q EScngnac asked.
Are you absorbed in your book,
Julia?"
Miss Redmond family smiled as she
laid it down. She was absorbed in but
one thing, morning, noon and night,
waking or sleeping: when and where
she should find him; how he was being
treated. Had he been taken captive?
He was not dead, of that she was sure.
What is the book, Julia?"
lie Conte dun Spahi"
Put it down and let me speak to
you Of Robert de fremont"
Miss Redmond, being his guest and
indebted to him for her luxurious
transportation, could not in decency
refuse the request.
HE knows nothing whatever of our
errand, Julia"
"Ah, then, what does he Think"
Miss Redmond on the arm of her
blue serge coat wore a band of white,
in the center of which cleaned the
Red Cross. The marquise, wrapped in
sable rug, held small Pekinese lap
dog cuddled under her arm, and had
only the appearance of lady of leis-
ure bent on pleasure excursion. She
did not suggest rescuing party in the
least. Her jaunty hat was enveloped
by delicate veil; her hands were in.
cased in long white gloves. Now that
she had encouraged her energetic niece
and taken this decisive step, she re-
laxed and found what pleasure she
might in the voyage.
when we came on board last night,
my dear you remember that sat with
Robert in the salon until well,
latish."
After midnight"
Possibly; but l am fifty and he is
thirty. Moreover, am his godmother
He Is enchanting, Julia, spiritual and
sympathetic. confess, my dear, that
l find myself rather at a loss as to
what to tell him."
Miss Redmond listened politely. She
was supremely Indifferent as to what
had been told to her host. This was
Tuesday, they should reach Algiers
on Saturday at the latest. What news
would meet them there? She held in
her book the last dispatch from the
ministry Of war. Supposing the Cap
tain de Sabron had been taken captive
by some marauding tribe and was be.
ing held for ransom! This was the
Romance Of Spahi, in which she was
absorbed Taken captive! She could
not let herself think what that might
mean.
Roberts mother, you know, is my
closest friend. His father was one of
the witnesses of my marriage. I feel
that have brought up Robert
it would have been so perfect" She
sighed
MA tante!" warned Miss Redmond
with note of pain in her voice.
"Yes, yes" accepted the marquise,
| II know, my dear, l know. But you
cannot escape from the yacht except
In lifeboat, and if you did 1t would
be one Of Roberts lifeboats! You
must not be too formal with him. -
She tapped the. nose of her Pekinese
dog. 'Be still, Mimi, that man is only
sailor! and If he were not here and
at his duty you would be drowned, you
little goose!"
The Pekinese dog was a new addi
ton. Julia tried not to dislike her; for
Julia, only Pitchoune existed. She
could not touch Mimi without a sense
of disloyalty.
The boat cut the azure water with
its delicate white body, the decks
glistened like glass. The sailor at
whom Mimi had barked passed out OF
sight, and far up in the bow fremont,
in white flannels, stood smoking.
II had to be very circumspect, my
dear Julia, when talked with Robert
You see you are not engaged to Mon.
sieur de Sabron." The girl colored
"The sentimental woman in me-" her
aunt went on, has responded to all
your fantasies, but the practical WON.
an In me calls me q romantic goose.
"Ah," breathed Miss Redmond, open.
ing her book. ina tante, let me read. u
Nonsense" said the marquise affec-
tionately. THE most important part
of the whole affair is that we are here
that we are en- route to Algiers, is II
not?"
The girl extended her hand CRATE
fully.
And thank you! Tell me, what did
You say to him?"
The marquise hummed little tune
and softly pulled MINIS ears.
Remember, my child. that IL we find
Monsieur de Sabron. the circumspec
ton will have to be even greater still. .
Leave that to me-, ma tante."
"You don't know" said the de.
| termined lady quite sweetly. that he