The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-10-23


he pleaded. hoping that you will
,hange your mind when you find that
| am very much In earnest?"
TT appears to me-" she answered.
that the office would be q thankless
one"
81 am content to take my chance"
Gerald pronounced. ~ can command
all the usual resources which might
make life more endurable for you. Ny
personal devotion you are already as
Sured Of"
You had better not tempt us too
far" Pauline warned him. little bit
terly. 'The good folk at Monte Carlo
we're only guessing when they called
ms adventuresses, but we are down on
our luck just now-we might accept
your Offer"
Il will take my risk Gerald de-
clared eagerly. You have given me
encouragement You have no respon-
sibility. AS for the rest. we are all adj
venturers or adventuresses, more or
less. am In quest of happiness and
! have met no one else except you
who could give 1t to me-"
There was touch of real feeling in
Ter eyes as she glanced toward him,
feeling, however. composed Of vary
ing elements-some curiosity, q tinge
of scorn. an iota of compassion. She
shrugged her shoulders slightly be-
meath her wrap of black lace.
"How long do you remain in London,
Lord Dombey?" she inquired.
"As long as can be of service to
you." was the quick reply. 81 was
going down to Hinterleys soon for
want of something better to do. A
days visit there will suffice. shall
remain al your service"
Il am in love with another man"
:,:uline assured him.
Gerald considered the matter for q
I.ioment.
II do not believe it," he declared.
Pauline sighed.
Nevertheless. il is true" she re-
ite,ated. lie is very bad-tempered,
and il ne knows that ! am accepting
all these attentions from another man,
he will certainly quarrel with you"
II will risk it." Gerald decided.
How am to get rid Of this persist
emf young man?" Pauline asked her
aunt
Madame de Poniere had great deal
to say about the subject in a rapid
undertone When she had finished.
Pauline turned back to her companion.
MY aunt was very much against IA
renewal Of our acquaintance" she told
him, "but. as she justly remarks. one
must live. This evening has turned
our heads q little-a return to the
fleshpots, you know, and that sort OF
thing. You shall be my sutton II you
will. Lord Dombey, but of one thing
you must be very sure-I shall never
marry you"
There Is another thing Of which you
may be equally sure" Gerald rejoined.
II shall never leave OF trying to per-
suade you to-"
Gallant but pig-headed," Pauline
murmured. you can judge Of my
aunt's newly found tolerance when I
tell you that she permits us to walk
in the rose garden. 1 want to see
whether those delphiniums are really
as blue as they seem to be-"
The walk in the rose gardens. al
though Gerald welcomed with intense
satisfaction this new phase In his re-
lations with Pauline. was in some
ways a disappointment. Pauline
looked around her all the time with
serene pleasure. She was fond OF
flowers; she knew them all by name.
and paused often to admire some Won
derfully fine bloom. She acceded with
out demur to his suggestion that they
should take one Of the small boats
moored against the bridge and lay
back among the cushions whilst he
lazlly sculled round the small stretch
Of water. On the far side Of the
island he let the boat drift and laid
the oar across his knees.
Pauline" he said. leaning q little
forward, "you are adorable"
81 suppose it goes without saying
that you should find me So" she an
swered composedly. II suppose. also
that must permit you the privilege
Of my Christian name. On the other
hand, do not try to get on too quickly
will you? I must warn you that you
have reached the extreme limit Of my
complaisance."
His eyes flashed for q moment. Id
was much too spoilt to regard her In
difference as anything more than par
of the game. 1t was q duel betweer
the two, the result Of which hi
scarcely doubted, but with his usua
impetuosity he resented delay.
You will accept me some day." h'
| said. "why not now3 We could spend
the honeymoon In Paris and 60 on Il
the italian lakes. Or we could b.
married at the embassy In Paris, II 20,
liked"
"You are taking base advantage o
this lonely spot" she murmured. dip
ping her hand In the water. II hav'
told you that am In love with an
4