Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-05-23
cONrrNUED.

They walked from room to room,
In n final round of review. hand In
hand. and commenting vivaciously on
the beauty OF the decorations.
'.But l wonder why papa doesn't
Gomez" said Pauline; che promised
TO be in 10y eight"
''SomC affair or other has detained f
him" answered the mother, you F..
know he has had much TO look after +
since we returned. We have scarce i
" had an hour with him for q month I
and more
81 think he might lay aside affairs
for this evening at least. when 1t
would be so very nice 20 have him.
ooh. but he will bo here in good
time: he likes such thing "a this;
he's never so light and bright and en-
gazing as when IN the midst OF
company
And you are so beautiful this even
lug, mamma. He will be very proud
OF you.
"Ah. II I were young like you, You
might gay that: but I'm not going to
fiatter you. Do you know, Pauline.
that l. IS positively dangerous for
Young woman 10 think herself beauti
ful?"
"Whv. no. II she really is beauii-
fnl. why should she not be perfectly
frank IN acknowledging her good for
tune?'
They we're passing before n grand
mirror set In a bronze frame; they
both looked in and stood for mo-
ment contemplating themselves as re-
Elected there.
A momentary pensiveness passed
over Mrs. Nernon's face; but Pauline
blushed lust little aud smiled with
an expression os siucere delight as
she glanced over the reelection Of q
slender. graceful girl dressed IN a
gown of clinging, dull-white brocaded
silk with a fluff of delicate lace at the
upper line of tho modesUy designed
corsage. IL was a radiant face that
threw back her smile, and the white
arms and throat with their curious
bracelets an l slender pearl necklace
shimmered softly.
AZ this moment Mr.. Vernon came
in, accompanied 10y a tall. swurt mau.
The two went directly upstairs 70 the
room prepared for the gentlemen s
dressing room, but returned almost
Immediately. when Mr.. Vernon PIE
scented his guest 20 the ladies as Col
onel Philip Loring.
The gentleman's bearing was mill
tary, soldierly IN the extreme, and has
form and face suited well the air OF
studied dignity he wore. While not
strictly handsome, his features were
strong aud well-formcd, aud his eyes
had q singular power, as II OF concen
tration and ste0diness. He wa
bronzed by exposure TO wind and su'
until his face was olive brown, al
though il could be seen that 1t wa
not naturally dark, and there was
white scar, a saber-cut ID appeared
running in a slender limo across a par
of his left cheek and ear. His nee
was corded with muscles and M
hands were shapely, large and sinewy
'You have a lovely home here, Mrs
Vernon" he said, speaking Frencl
with a curious accent. 4 have bee
telling your husband that he lives Ink
grand duke"
Mrs. Vernon had often heard he
husband speak of Colonel LOring 4
one of his most trusted friends; bu
she had never before seen him.
His smile, rs he looked down int
her face, was peculiarly attractive, a
belt there was in il something remOf
and inexplicably unsatisfactory.
"And you, mademOiselle. he col
tinued, turning with bow TO Paulin
Unjust be as happy as you look,
such place of enchantment. W
will not charge a rough old saber III
me with fattery if tell you that Y,
look like an especially dangerous fai
In most alluring bower"
Pauline's cheeks showed the sligt
est access of pink under his bold y
not unpleasant glance.
Your father and l." he adde
shave long been great friends. and
account it one Of my far-apart piec
of good fortune to he here, even
mere chance, tonight"
my fathers friend is my friend
Pauline said; and she could not ha
accounted for the embarrassment :
felt in delivering this bit of formali
"And mine," joined Mrs. Verno
s'We are glad to welcome you as
chance guest this time. and we sh
be proud to greet you as n privileg
one hereafter at all times"
The conversation could go no furtE
than these stiff commonplace char
ter:stic Of the period and the pla
Guests were arriving, and Mrs. V
non and Paulire had duties 20 M
at once. They both turned awl
leaving Colonel Loring standing. Il
straight, grimly attractive, besid'
magnificent towering cactus as
and strange "a he Somehow I'll