E-text prepared by Roger Frank
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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| Transcriber's note: Chapter numbering skips Chapter XI in the printedtext. The original numbering has been retained inthis transcription. |
THE SEARCH
BY
GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL
GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
Made in the United States of America
COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE SEARCH
THE SEARCH
I
Two young men in officers’ uniforms entered thesmoker of a suburban train, and after the usualformalities of matches and cigarettes settled back toenjoy their ride out to Bryne Haven.
“What d’ye think of that girl I introduced youto the other night, Harry? Isn’t she a pippin?”asked the second lieutenant taking a luxurious puffat his cigarette.
“I should say, Bobbie, she’s some girl! Whered’ye pick her up? I certainly owe you one for agood time.”
“Don’t speak of it, Harry. Come on with meand try it again. I’m going to see her friend to-nightand can get her over the ’phone any time.She’s just nuts about you. What do you say? ShallI call her up?”
“Well, hardly to-night, Bob,” said the firstlieutenant thoughtfully, “she’s a ripping fine girland all that, of course, but the fact is, Bob, I’ve decided8to marry Ruth Macdonald and I haven’tmuch time left before I go over. I think I’ll haveto get things fixed up between us to-night, you see.Perhaps—later——. But no. I guess thatwouldn’t do. Ruth’s folks are rather fussy aboutsuch things. It might get out. No, Bob, I’ll haveto forego the pleasures you offer me this time.”
The second lieutenant sat up and whistled:
“You’ve decided to marry Ruth Macdonald!”he ejaculated, staring. “But has Ruth Macdonalddecided to marry you?”
“I hardly think there’ll be any trouble on thatscore when I get ready to propose,” smiled the firstlieutenant complacently, as he lolled back in hisseat. “You seem surprised,” he added.
“Well, rather!” said the other officer dryly,still staring.
“What’s there so surprising about that?” Thefirst lieutenant was enjoying the sensation he wascreating. He knew that the second lieutenant hadalways been “sweet” on Ruth Macdonald.
“Well, you know, Harry, you’re pretty rotten!”said the second lieutenant uneasily, a flushbeginning to rise in his face. “I didn’t think you’d9have the nerve. She’s a mighty fine girl, you know.She’s—unusual!”
“Exactly. Didn’t you suppose I would want af