John felt himself growing strangely interested in this mysterious girl. And, having resolutely decided to put Marjorie Wilkinson so far as possible from his thoughts, he did all in his power to encourage this new fancy. It had been a long time since he had felt an attraction for any other girl but Marjorie; the sensation therefore was novel.
Spurred on by this emotion, he displayed more eagerness than usual in leaving his desk promptly on Friday afternoon to take the train to Cape May. He tried to attribute his excitement to the desire for fresh air and rest, after a week in the hot city, but he knew that this was not all. For when his mother, alone, met the train, he experienced a decided feeling of disappointment.
“How’s Miss Snyder?” he asked, as soon as he had satisfied himself as to his mother’s health.
“Much better, thank you. She’s gone to bed early, so you won’t see her tonight. She needs all her strength.”
Another disappointment! John managed to conceal his feelings.
“She—she doesn’t mind my coming?” he faltered.
“Not a bit. She hardly listened when I told her.”
This piece of information was not particularly pleasant to a young man who was hoping to forget his infatuation for one girl by becoming interested in a new one. Suppose she were as indifferent as Marjorie!
“What’s she like?” asked John.
“Quite pretty—and of rather a refined type, I should say. She comes of a cultured family, for she has a charming voice, and lovely manners.”