Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-11-14

gan, who had consented to chaperon
the house party, seeing that the host
was a bachelor.
A typical English butler, rubicund
of face, portly in form, and with ire
proachable natural underpinning, an
nounced the arrivals, and when in
pompous tones he vociferated:
"Sir Harthur Dysart and Miss Dy-
sart, Mr.. Richard Dysart and Miss
Churchill" it needed all Kane's self
control to compose his features and his
manner to the requisite standard of
polite and genial interest.
A moment now, and he would know
his Interrogation, exposure, dis
grace, Or
Sir Arthur, with Stella on his arm.
came first, and passed under the arch ed
door OF the gallery, followed by Rich
ard and Marcia The first couple
paused a moment after their greet
ings, and 1t fell to Marcia to introduce
Richard to his host.
Welcome to The Cedars and well
come home, Mr.. Dysart," said Kane.
There fronted him tall, athletic
figure, bronzed and tanned of face
as clean-shaven as himself save for
tawny mustache, and in the mans
conventional evening dress bearing
not the remotest resemblance to or
suggestion of the unkempt and
bearded wayfarer of the Karroo
Desert
The two men gripped hands in tba
fSh 60.
looked the other squarely in the face.
Inc nrst keen glance was what Kane
reared most, but in the steady gaze
OF hichard there was naught save the
utmost courtesy.
Names heart leaped. He was safe
NJ least for the present. But there
was an expression of studied interesr
al Nlchards glance as they EXCHANGED
lew commonplaces, as though ask
ing what manner of man is this o.,
winch was to be explained a moment
later. SiA'
turning to Stella, Kane asked to
see her dance-card, saying
My duties will not permit me To
De selfish, but l claim the first waltz -
she handed him the enameled
pasteboard, and while he was PENCIL
ing his initials thereon the girl mur-
INJURED In significant tones that mona
other could hear
BE on your best behavior TONIGHT
SIT. flashing him q dazzling SMILE
across her snowy shoulder as she was
led away. vas
Kane sent her an answering ,oo,,
uhu Dreamed more freely. The fact
'hat the brothers were both under his
root seemed good omen, and argued
no opposition to his suit.
For the first time in manv DAVIS bis
inner mood lightened. All might vet
go well, and he resumed his tasl, op
welcoming the remaining guests with
almost boyish vim and abandon
After all, the ball would be q nor
sonal triumph, as he had at first in
tended, with his affianced bride &c
its chief ornament and attraction for
him. ior
That waltz with Stella Dysart be
.oid himself, the soft perfume of her /
Dalr hoating upward like blessed in
cense, was worth periling a mans
soul for. The while he held her in
MS arms he vowed to himself that he
would go through the fires of perdition
Iather than give her up. Yet even at
.he thought there came to him tbe
ureaa query, like a grinning demon
In the midst OF a feast. "Uba+
would she say or do If she knew tbs
lruth! But he wilfully drove the
lnlng away, and resolved, for that mo
ment at least, to drink the cup of han
plness to the last drop.
AS ne led her to cool corner after
Ine mai crashing bars of the music
he murmured:
shall call upon Sir Arthur IN
me morning. dearest You can guess
why" e"0
! viii tell him to expect you" she
said. lifting her eyes bravely to his.
ne love-light shining in their star.
Ike depths.