Evening star., 1900-11-17
CHAPTER II.


And vet it was a very preSentab BILE young
man, well garbed and well groomed. who
came instantly to meet his callers at the
inn. The doctor had had no opportunity to
draw from Lane the reasons for his reluc-
tance. Henry had come at once in obe-
dience to his fathers message, and, while
Norman and the other young knights were
gall3ping through the forest aisies with
Beleview's fair guests, the father and elder
son had driven into ASholt close at hand.
to honor the judges note. Henry had met
both Malloys. the state senator and his
heir, yet knew them only slightly The
former he said, frequently closeted
with Judge Mcintyre. The latter belonged
TO a young and lively set, with whom Henry
had little in common Henry was studous
and ambitious, was not society man, and
SO appeared but seldom at the blithe gath
erings for which the queen city in those
days was famous. Young Malloy had trav-
eled abroad-something few Americans
could say two generations ago-and had
abundant means and fair manners. The
elder struck Henry being coarse and
pushing. but polish was not to be looked
for in the professional politician. Henry
was not in the confidence of Mr.. Lane, and.
therefore, could not say how he regarded
the Mall0ys, but thought it possible the ju-
nior partner disapproved of the son, on
general principles. as a possible suitor for
Henry remembered having heard that young
Malloy was deeply smitten with Daisys
beauty. And then came the youth himself
TO greet them, and to accept with evident
pleasure the Doctors cordial bid to dinner
that evening.
Sorry we haven't a room .br you at
Bellev!ew. suh," said the Kentuckian; but
the women folks are there in force, and sew
eral OF our guests have to put up here. If
they give you a comfortable bed it's all
you'll need. We expect you to spend your
waking hours with us.
Mr.. Burnett Malloy. in expressing his
thanks, displayed much qualification and a
fine set of teeth. He arrived just exactly at
the appointed hour. and appeared in black
evening dress. which at that time was
rarely seen in the west or south-most men
wearing frock coat and shirt collars of
remarkable pattern. and not few still ap-
pearing in the frills and wristbands that
had been the mode of much earlier day.
Mr. Malloy was taken round the circle by
the beaming host and presented individually
to every man and woman, old or young in
the big, low-ceilnged, old-fashioned draw
ing room. and. after the kindly manner of
the day. by men and women both, he was
greeted with cordial handshake. Mr. and
Mrs. Lane were civil, were courteous vet
somewhat constrained and distant. Daisy
gave him swift glance from her soft blue
eyes. falterng hand. and colored to the
brows as she met his gaze. and this, too.
despite the fact that her mother had warned
her Of his coming.
Did you have any intimation Daisvo"
Mrs. Lane had asked, as they were dressing
fer the late dinner, and the child had fought
in vain against that telltale flush as She
answered: He said last week that business
might bring him to Asholt"
1t so happened that at the moment OF
Malloy's entry Norman Holt was in an ad-
joining room. the library, with Miss Ray
and her mother. Wax candles by the score
| filleG the drawing room with soft, yet bril-
liant light. while the library seemed in
| shadow. The Rays were full of interest
and sympathy in Norman's West Point life
there was a lad at home whose whole
ambition was to win a cadetship-and they
were listening In absorbed attention to his