The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-05-20
Captain Salvation
BY Frederick William Wallace

a GAASGAAANeNA
terests, a trustee Of his uncle's
church and one Of the wealthiest
men in the county. Mary was
his only child.
In their younger days she ana
Arson were schoolmates ana
boy-and-girl regard mad sprung up
between them-a common attach
ment. but peculiar in the fact that
1t still held in adolescence when
she went to young ladies' semi
nary and he to Appletown Theo-
logical College. That was three
In her letters. formal but
friendly, she had made no secret
of her pleasure at the idea Of his
entering the ministry. In his
carefully indited replies he re-
trained from injecting his own
idea on the subject. As he
strolled along, carrying his valtse.
he wondered foggily how she
would feel about his sudden
switch-over.
The loafers about the steps of
the Harbor House were still deep
in their discussion of young
CampbelI's delinquencies; and
Campbell himself had proceeded
but a few hundred yards on his
way toward the manse when In.
tuition caused him to lift his eyes
from the ground and look ahead.
ENTER THE GIRL
''Damr' The expletivs came
from his lips az an indignant
apostrophe to Fate. He stopped
dead. wavered as though to re
trace his steps. but, lacking the
impulse. remained as II petrifieo
to the spot. Coming in his 81
rection. escorted by young man
was the girl of his thoughts.
Unconscious Of his presence in
the intimacy of a laughing con
versation, they approached him
too rapidly to permit of his evad
ing the meeting.
With a tremendous mental eff.
fort, he secured control Of his
jangling nerves, his befuddled
perception, and faced the on.
coming couple with a desperate
hope that he would handle fu.
ture events with credit to him
self
|. StrolIing on to this impromptu
stage came the para young
woman of decidedly pleasing face
and form, with fluffy brown. hair,
clear, healthy complexion and
calm, long-lashed gray eyes. She
carried herself with some stateii-
ness-the suddenly acquired dig
nifty which comes with the pass
ing of Is and the adoption OF
long dresses and coiled hair. Her
escort, a man in his early TWEEN.
ties, was of a blond type, slim
and vigorous, a dandy in his well
cut clothes, flowing silk cravat
and lowered vest, his white
hands and oiled hair, and decid-
edly handsome with his expires,
sion of cultured masculinity.
A SOLICITOUS SQUIRE
He had the girl on one arm,
carrying her parasol and a book
on the other, and he seemed un.
duly solicitous in his plotting of
her along the plank walk.
At the sight Of him and his
evident familiarity. Anson's as-
sumed composure was tinged
with a feeling of resentment. He
recognized Mary's companion as
one George Page, a frequent
summer visitor to Anchorville
and the son of snip broker IN
Boston. He had never liked Mr..
Page and mathematical the for
tune that brought him In her
company at such a portentous
time.
He was also quick to notice
the others fashionable quality
and he felt that his own shabby
black serge of provincial cut
made an irritating comparison.
Mr.. Page was too spruce and too
familiar with Miss Phillips to
please the waiting Arson.
BY the time the two drew
abreast, however, he regained his
assurance and stepped before
them with a polite doffing Of his
hat and an expression Of cordial
delight.
"Why Mary"
Her startled reaction to his sud
den greeting and, appearance
halted the effusive address he
was about to make. Her gray
eyes, large, crystal clear, dilated
for a fleeing second with the
surprise occasioned by his pres
ence. then became perceptibly
colder as they gazed upon him.
He was chilled by the aspect OF
her comedy features and he be-
came instantly sober, conscious
that he had betrayed himself.
Her Quiet Reply
''Why what's the matter.
Mary?" Arson, confused by her
attitude, blurted the question.
You needn't ask. Her answer
came quiet. significant in mean.
ing as her perception took in his
condition. Mr.. Page, still main.
tanning his hold upon her arm,
appeared to draw her closer to
him, while he eyed the other with
suddenly hostile glances.
II wonder il this gentleman
he indicated Page with a slight
nod-"would permit us few min.
utes alone?"
II don't wish to hear anything
you may have to say" She
broke off as he stepped closer.
But, Mary" he urged humbly.
his hat in his hands. his dark eyes
pleading. his whole attitude ex.
pressing the wish In his heart: II
came home especially to see you.
I'm going off to sea on Monday
I've given up the-the other thing,
and should like to speak with
you-privately. / thought you'd
be interested in--in what I'm 20.
. ing to do" he concluded lamely.
I'm not interested!' She turned
to her companion as IL anxious 10
and ans. - a..L