Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-18

bis wealth and position. More than all
there was the excitement Of winning him in
spite Of himself. She understood him well
enough to know that In the outset she re-
PEELED rather than attracted him
She had dreaded nothing save another
woman. Was that girl across the piazza the
other woman? Rothwell had changed coun-
tenance at sight Of her. She must be the
native Molly had u~nearthed. but how did
Bhe make herself look as though she had
come from The Sleeping Beautys castle, in
stead Of a remote. everyday plantation?
She was individual, even distinguished.
Mrs. Loudon was never weak enough TO
undervAlue an adversary. She crossed the
piazza with he- finest high manner and
said, holding out her hand: You must be
very brave Miss Rhett. said as much
when Molly told us you were coming. Some
how / half hoped you would stay away"
Indeed Why" Patricia asked. rising.
but overlooking the profiered hand Upright
she showed lithely tall, and thin almost to
AngulErity. Her head. clouded over with
dusky hair. sat on q long neck as q rose
sits on its stem. She had fine dark brows.
too-So dark the violet pupils underneath
gave q sense Of piquant surprise. Now the
violet was q sort Of luminous black. Mrs.
LOudon had somehow q sense that ~blRekness
was q danger signal.
She had prided herself upon her fine
presenee-PatrieiA overlooked her by at
least three inches and had besides some
thing classic in poise and pose. But II
was something in her gaze. steady. COM
polling. that forbade Mrs. Loudon TO speak
after her won't wholly brutal truth. To the
woman Of her fancy. the uncouth country
girl or prim, pretentious spinster. she would
have said airily; Il did not want you be-
cause / knew you would be in the wsy-and
unhappy over 1t" Instead Of that she
answered PAtrieiEs eyes rather than her
question: Il did not know vhy-now ]
understand It was Instructive hated to
have you make Us anticipates ashamed Of
ourselves"
Why not r~attlepates. II one may rattle
gracefully and graciously? 20 Patricia asked.
Molly dashed out to them. abject in
apology. Il meant to be home-indeed ]
aid. dear Miss Rhett-but the afternoon and
the ride were so heavenly
IF you had come back a minute before
you were ready ] should be implacable, /"
Patricia said. softly patting 'Molly's hand.
Il love our woods in springtime 50 well ]
cannot bear TO have them sighted"
Molly. I'm positively rRvenous-I shall
ring for tea" Mrs. Loudon tnterposed. shs
caught up a silver lotus flower and began
striking keen chimes.
RothweIl pre-empted the cushion nearest
PatrieiA's feet. and sat watching her AZ
though In a trance. In the deepest pine
shadow IL was Alresdy dusking. yet pure red
light hlled all the west. Patricia fair in the
shine q T., seemed somehow 10 make al
the other women leaden. She slipped her
tea. playing dRintily between sips with her
gold spoon. quite as though she had done Il
every day OF her life. But when be would
have brought q fresh cup. she shook her
head, saying in = half-whisper: I drank
this only because II was part Of the game. %
what gamer he asked In her own KEY.
She smiled elhnly. Tbs game Of money
in-idleness." she said. Il have always
wanted a look in AZ A. Nov ! have q
pinch myself occasionally 10 make sure ]
really IN where an"
Come inside 10 the fire. The only excuse
for eountry-houss parties 10 sitting GrOuno
= IRE" rregArs said, stalking mA3estissliy
ahead Molly pushed VsnA Ash after him,
While TEploW himself solisitonsly huddlsd
the rest inside. Somehow Hugh Anstruther
earomed against Patricia as they went
through the window. Anstruther had a
sour face, squAre-JAWed. with lips shut
ting like a wise He had the name Of never
speaking 10 a WonAn II he could get around
H. Naturally everybody mArTeled TO see
him sit sewn beside Patricia. urring cut:
! shah doubt ys forgive ny elumsinssI