ebullient nephew that there were clerks in the other room. He began to
ask questions about the voyage, but the clock struck one and Jack
recalled the fact that Taberman was waiting for him at the Roundheads,
and probably was on tenterhooks for his news.
"You'll come to luncheon, won't you, sir?" he pleaded.
"That'll look well," retorted his uncle with humorous derision.
"Everybody knows about your running off with the Merle--Bardale couldn't
hold his tongue--and I shall be accused of condoning a felony."
Nevertheless they set out arm in arm for the club, and as they went the
President informed his secretary that he should not be back at the
office that afternoon.
"We shall want to run over the log," he explained to Jack as they waited
for the elevator. "I've no doubt it will make you blush to have me read
it, but I'm going to."
"I brought it for you," Jack answered, with a grin of pure joy. "Do you
mind waiting a minute, while I send a cable to Katrine? She was awfully
anxious to know how hard you'd be on me."
"Now she'll think I've no backbone at all. Well, when you played me that
trick, Jack, I felt terribly old and alone; but I think I am a little
bit younger now you're back, and prepared to behave yourself."
"Wait till you've read the log," laughed Jack, "and you'll think you're
in your teens!"
[Illustration: Decoration]
Chapter Eighteen
EPILUDE
Jack, who had been dining at Mrs. Fairhew's, was taking leave of Katrine
one evening a few weeks before the day set for the wedding. The farewell
had all the characteristic deliberateness which has marked the unwilling
separation of engaged couples from time immemorial, and was to-night
prolonged more than usual by his teasing refusal to answer a question.
"Do tell me what the great secret is between you and Mr. Drake, Jack,"
she begged. "I think you are perfectly horrid!"
He looked down into her face and laughed softly.
"You're not," he returned. "You're perfectly stunning to-night."
"Of course I am," she retorted, laughing and pouting; "but you can't put
me off with a compliment. If you hadn't meant to tell me, you wouldn't
have spoken about it at all; and I think you've teased me enough. What
is it about the President and you?"
She touched the tips of her fingers to his cravat, as if she were
straightening it, whereas she was probably only exerting instinctively
her privilege of proprietorship in Jack and his belongings.
"Well," he laughed, "you have borne it beautifully, and I've had you
crazy with curiosity till I don't dare put off telling you. But you'll
probably lie awake half the night thinking about it."
"That depends upon how important it is."
"I expect to be paid for telling you," he declared with a look that made
her flush.
"I should think you might be generous enough to tell me for nothing,"
she responded; but her dimples deepened.
He stooped forward quickly, and kissed her. Then he took both her hands
in his, and stood caressing them while he went on.
"The news is this," he said. "We've got to change our plans for the
wedding journey from stem to stern."
"Why, Jack! What do you mean?"
"It's a fact, dear," he went on, assuming an expression of profound
regret which was too obviously artificial to be depressing.
"But why?"
"Because--Are you ready for a great shock? Wouldn't you like me to
support you in case you couldn't bear it?"
"Don't be silly," she urged, with an adorable smile. "Because what?"
"Because Uncle Randolph has given us the Merle as a wedding present. He
told me this afternoon, so that we should have time to shape our plans
accordingly."
"Oh, dear Jack!"
"Splendid of him, isn't it? How would it strike you to have the Merle
sent over and to take a whole year in her on the Mediterranean?"
"Oh, that would be too beautiful!" Katrine cried.
She clasped her hands, and looked up at him with loving brave eyes. Her
first thought was of his pleasure, and instantly followed the reflection
that she was making her first sacrifice; for her quick mind foresaw that
Jack on a yacht, with duties in which he delighted, would probably be
less wholly hers than in the travel by land which they had arranged. She
smiled wonderfully, and for the first time in their engagement she bent
forward of her own accord, and offered him her lips.
The Riverside Press
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_Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A._