The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-05-16
THE WEST VRGnIAN TUESDAY EVENING MAY 16

sfs--f-s -. ~ hSSA hhS bnAMuNo "
appreciate the sun. ] don't believe ia
like Summer where Tom ISL
Philip took q roll. Don't you? I've
about decided to go there myself and
Twas going to suggest that you go
along!" ~
How impulsive you are. Phil! 4
don't believe you ever thought Of such
a thing until this minute. OF course
l can't go, thank you"
III you like. I'll undertake to be a
matrimonial guide for your son. You
see, take like hot cakes wherever
go-all the mamas will introduce
me to their daughters and, in turn, I
can introduce them to-"
Hush! You cancelled goose! But
run along II you really want to 10.
When think OF 1t I believe It will be
good for Tom to have you there. And
think you need change. Phi. dear
- suddenly leaning forward with
eyes full Of sympathy-"I'm sorry, SO
sorry, spoke the way I did! Now
goodby. I've an errand to do before
dinner"
1t was late in the season for Sum.
mer Beach,, Many of the winter SO.
journers had gone north to replenish
wardrobes for the summer campaign
and arrange for the opening Of sum.
mer homes on mountain and lake. But
enough OF gayety remained at the
great hotel to fill the quiet moonlit
night with sounds OF laughter and
music.
Two men, Philip Mercer. and his
nephew, Tom Baldridge, had dinner
on the terrace, where a cool, soft
breeze blew in from the sea. The
smoke from their cigars was waited
across the terrace to another table, at
which n girl and an older man were
finishing their dessert. The girl
turned and Philip Mercer caught her
glance. A startled glance, It was, for
he was on his feet in an instant string
as though he had seen ghost. Then,
seeing her amazement, he sank back
to his chair. He flung his cigar over
the rail- and mopped his forehead.
THAT girl. Tom-who Is she?"
Patricia Talbot"
And who Is the mani"
II don't know-it's the first time I've
seen him. don't know her very we'll.
Just met her yesterday. Her daddy,
maybe! What's the matter, Philip"
"ls her mother here?'
II don't know anything about them.
| met her on the beach and only talk.
ed with her for little WHILE"
Something in Toms tone caught the
Older man, something that conveyed to
him that the few minutes had been
very precious and hope that chance
might offer more opportunities.
"She Is beautiful! And she is the
image OF some one used to know. I
don't know the name of the man she
married. The family took her to ia.
pan where she met an Americana
lieutenant in the navy-and married
him. never knew his name. It may
have been Talbot.
Philips face had gone gray. He got
UP. II think I'll walk on the beach
alone, Tom. I've a headache and don't
feel like talking"
II believe I'll do the boy more good
by keeping away from him." he
| thought, as he walked down the palm.
covered path to the beach. "Patrtca
I-Patrica Talbot"
The beach. hard as stone where
the tide had receded, showed white
and glistening in the moonlight. Philip
strobe along the edge Of the water,
not hearing Its soft lap. regardless Of
time and distance. Thoughts and feel
ings he had thought dead twenty years
were tormentlng him-just because he
had seen face that reminded him OF
his old sweetheart. He despised him
self now for a fool! Why. instead Of
running off, hadn't he waited to meet
Toms friends? That would have end
ed the misery. What was he afraid
Of? Afraid to find out that the girl he
had loved was after all but men,
ory? Afraid the man at the other
table was her husband?
He came to the delta of small
river. There was no bridge across SO
he turned up the nearest bank, where
a sandy path showed white beneath
the trees. He followed the stream
through the palm grove, the wonder
full beauty of the night bewitching
him. He kept on until the stream d.
vided-and In the embrace OF the two
arms was small green island and
on the island-a house. Moreover.
across the water to his side Of the
little river extended an arched bridge,
Japanese In style, and, coming nearer,
he saw that the house was a jap
anese pagoda, and the miniature
bushes II the moonlight and the paths
and tiny pools made wonderful gar.
den. i
Then he heard the pumping Of
motor in the distance-from the direc.
ton he had come-a boat coming up
stream from the sea.
The sound grew louder. and soon
through the trees Philip saw a tiny
launch hung with lanterns. Two PEG.
pie were In 1t. man and a girl. Tom
and Patricia!
But before he had quite recovered
from his surprise something happen.
ed-the unexpected, of course. A
crash like a hundred guns tore tho
quiet night and there was flash
of flame. When Philip looked again
the boat had disappeared and there
was no sign of its occupants.
1t took only an instant for him to
kick off his white shoes and drive into
the water. He found Tom first-per.
fectly whole so far as he could tell, but
unconscious-and got him to shore.
He Owed twice for Patricia before he
found her caught in the wreckage at
| the bottom.