New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-19
CHAPTER X (Continued).

ing should improve my mind-my lazy mind
refused to be improved. Then a tall. slim young
lounged into sight the path from the
knoll, and in another moment had stretched
himself on the edge of the veranda at my feet
his back against a pillar, a cigarette between
his teeth.
Il may smoke. serene eyed lady?"
Yes" and, after a moment of silence. IT
wonder you felt like a stroll so early in the
afternoon; thought you found the heat dis
agreeable"
IF any other member of the fair sex had
made that remark" said Randall, Il should
think she yearned for compliment from yours
truly. 1 came because 1 find your lofty pres
ence cooling-not to say freezing"
No reply being necessary, I made none. Mr..
st. John smoked industriously for some time in
silence; then he said. smiling so broadly that
great deal of the lining of his upper lip came in
view: Grandma in a fearful state of wax
this morning, wasn't she? dear old LADY, So
gentle. with such winning ways! Why does she
call you Athena? Because you look like
goddess? I never see you that 1 don't think of
who-do-y ou-call- hinn's lines:
beat loud at her comingI
MY heart always beats loud at your coming
often wonder you don't hear it. You're such
make out what you hear and see and what you
don't. Erranti may. He's queer Dick him
self"
Il wish he would come home"
'Why?" asked Randall, greedy curiosity in his
blue eyes
Il wish to keep house." said. seriously; II
haven't enough to do
We'll, you are a queer girl! I wonder If Err
ranti will-well, never mind what. Any one told
you about him?"
"Only his mother"
Randall leaned back against his pillar, blow
ing thin wreath Of smoke from his lips. 1T
feel largely, generously conversational" he said
ITO tell the truth, that's why I happened in
| knew the old tigress would be asleep and you
probably here. I feel like telling you all, ALL
everything? Here goes for a portrait Of Err
ranti. Ask what questions you choose but
please keep awake
He lighted another cigarette-he smoked in
cessantly-and Nemesis flashed grandly as he
lifted his left hand.
You're looking at my ring, Miss Dean A
beauty, isn't it? My beloved uncle has lent me
the loan of it for year If during that time
| abstain from my pet weakness the ring be-
| comes mine. Won't you look at it?' drawing it
from his finger and offering it to me- IT'S
Nemesis. The Jewels are splendid. Come to
think Of IT, Nemesis is not unlike you. Just
turn your head little. will you? Yes, the pro-
file is almost the same. Strange never noticed
it beforer'
You were speaking of Mr.. Erranti," I said
giving back with what reluctance, - my
| mothers ring.
"Erranti?" slipping 1t on his finger. with a
| sigh. A very white finger, but with sn ugly
pink lurking under the whiteness ..Erranti-
oh. yes! Well here's his portrait. and you'll see
at once that he's almost as handsome as you
and I, only he's dark, and I prefer blends my
self. Erranti is tall and his figure just about
! perfect. Broad shoulders small hands and feet
we'll shaped head. Carries himself spIendidIy.
He don't strike one as tall, sOmehow-he's so
confoundedly we'll made. AwfuIIy graceful
chap, and as romantic looking as the dickens.
Not that he knows what that word means 1
| believe he could play the very deuce with the
women if he wanted to. but he don't care a
rap about them" and Mr.. st. John sank into
meditative silence.
What does Mr.. Errant care foro" I asked
Money" was the prompt response; money
and games of chance"
You mean stocks?"
Il mean games of chance of every kind"
I remembered Claudes description OF the card
parties in town.
The beggar has handsome face, too" Ran
dial went on; splendid eyes-dark long, gleam-
ing. Hair like black velvet-wears it cropped
close; too short, you know. Skins dark-tanned
| a deep brown-but it's clear and smooth. He
wears gorgeous toys. I like giddy garments.
You wear fetching raiment, Miss Dean"
Please finish the portrait"
|. "Oh, WELL let's see-nose? Delicate auuiline.
chin, stunning. cleft in it. His sole defect is
his mouth-his lips awfully full I think but
some fellows don't object to 'em. Men admire
Erranti, you know. There's nothing he can't
do-all round chap so to speak"
Tell me now of your uncle Mr. Beverley
said; ARE you to live with him aIways?"
Randall sighed. I'm I don't know" he
said and I wish I did. Sometimes feel I'm
settled for life, sometimes I know I'm on trial
still Uncle BIS bachelor and he has pile Of
tin to leave, Grandpapa left him and his two
sisters plenty to begin with, but my mother
would marry my father. you see, and he. good
fellow no doubt, but merry merry artist let
the money slip through his fingers Ny parents
died when 1 a tiny child Miss Dean. Had
my mother lived I might be a better sort of
chap"
He sighed again, and opening the back of his
watch. handed it to me, saying, My mothers
picture"
1t was a faded likeness of a small featured
pretty woman-Randal without RandaPs dis
/ agreeable expression. admired the gentle face
and then asked about the other sister. Richard
Thorpes mother; she was in my thought
Both sisters married cousins. Miss Dean A
mistake. 1 think-narrows down the family con-
nections When Uncle Thorpe died-for die he
did-she was goose enough to marry again. and
a foreigner into the bargain. a fat German
baront 1t was partly her sons fault though
Dick Thorpe's the most obstinate chap I ever