Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-07
CHAPTER XIV.
JuIla's Romance.

Quise d'Esclignac asked:
Are you absorbed in your book.
Julia :"
Miss Redmond family smiled Is she
laid It down. She was absorbed In but
one thing. morning, noon and night.
waking or sleeping: when and whore
she should find him; how he was being
treated. Had he been taken captive?
He was not dead. Of that she was sure.
what II the book. Julia?"
lie Conte dun Spahi."
Put 1t down and let mo 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 . band Of white.
in the center Of which cleaned the
Red Cross. The marquise. wrapped in
sable rug, held q 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 q delicate veil; her hands were in
cased In long white gloves. Now that
abe had encouraged her energetic niece
and taken this decisive step. she re-
Taxed 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 we'll.
latish."
After midnight"
Possibly; butI am fifty and he is
thirty. Moreover, I am his godmother.
He IL enchanting, Julia, spiritual and
sympathetic. confess. my dear, that
I find myself rather 1t . loss ~ 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 Dc Sabron had been taken captive
by some marauding tribe and was be-
ing held for . ransom! This was the
Romance Of Q Spahi. in which she was
absorbed. Taken captive! She could
not let herself think what that might
mean.
Roberts mother. you know. Il my
the witnesses Of my marriage I feel
that have brought mp Robert .
It would have been 20 perfect" She
sighed.
ma tante!" warned Miss Redmond,
with note of pain In her voice.
yes. yes" accepted the marquise,
81 know, my dear, l know. But you
cannot escape from the yacht except
in lifeboat. and II you did it would
be one of Roberts Hfeboats! 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 II he were not here and
ct his duty you would be drowned. you
little goose!"
The Pekinese dog was . now addt
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.
Il had to be very circumspect. my
dear Julia, when I 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
IN In me calls me Q romantic goose. =
"Ah." breathed Miss Redmond, open
ing her book. INA tante, let me read. =
4 ''ifssonsense,r said the marquise alec
3tiOnately. The most important part
loe the whole afEair Is that we are here
that we are en- route to Algiers. 10 1t
'notf"
The girl extended her hand Crate.
fully.
.And thank you! Tell me. what did
you say to himf"
The marquise hummed . little tune,
and softly pulled Minis ears.
Remember, my child. that IL we nnd
Monsieur de Sabron, the circumspec-
lt1on viii have to be even greater still. :
Leave that to me, ma tante."
''You don't know" said the de-
itsrmined lady quite sweetly, that he
has the slightest desire TO marry you.
Julia"
ss Miss Redmond sat up in her chair.
and famed.
30 Jon want to make me miser-
5Iabfe1'
Il intend to let my worldly wisdom
equal this emergency, Julia I want
Robert to have no suspicion Of the
facts"
.How can We prevent It, ma tante?"
We can do % II you viii obey me"
The girl started, and her aunt, look
ing up at the Due de fremont where
no stood In the bow, saw that he
MOVED signs OF finishing his smoke
sAed q Joining them.