Her own way

by Clyde Fitch

Louise. Well, why, do you suppose?

Mrs. Carley. I don't know, but I hope you'll tell me that, too, sometime—what about Steve?

Louise. That must wait, mother—Dick Coleman—

Mrs. Carley. What? Don't tell me he made another will, and didn't leave Georgiana his money.

Louise. No, it's good news for Georgiana. I'm almost as afraid to tell you as to tell her.

[Whispers.] Dick Coleman may be alive, after all.

Mrs. Carley. Louise!

Louise. It is possible he was one of the three men who arrived at San Francisco nearly a week ago.

Mrs. Carley. Who were taken prisoners by the Ladrones and escaped?

Louise. Yes! The three men who got away from Cebú in a boat and were picked up by a German steamer. It seems more than probable. They got one name wrong in the despatches, making it "Richard Cotten"—who was also missing—instead of "Richard Coleman."