The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-30
CHAPTER VIII.
CONTINUED.

NONllNS1Os
But Mrs. Vernon's arm clasped her
daughters waist and gave caress for
caress with genuine creole rehe-
mence.
They walked from room to room,
in a final round Of review, hand III
hand, aud commenting vivaciously on
the beauty of the decorations.
.But I wonder why papa doesn't
Gomez" said Pauline; che promised
to be in by eight"
Some affair or other has detained
him." answered the mother; "you
know he has had much to look after
since we returned. We have scarce
" had an hour with him for q month
and more"
Il think he might lay aside affairs
for this evening at least, when II
would be so very nice to have him."
ooh, but he will be here in good
time: he likes SUCH q thing as this;
he's never so light and bright and en-
gaging as when in the midst OF .
company"
+ "And You are 20 beautiful this Q
! Ing, mamma He will be very proud
Of you."
"Ah, if T were young like you, You
might say that; but I'm not going to
fiatter You. Do you know, Pauline.
that it is positively dangerous for :;
young woman to think herself beauti'
ful?"
"Why, mol If she really is beauti-
full, why should she not be perfectly
frank in acknowledging her good for
tune?"
They were passing before a grand
mirror. set in a bronze frame; they
both looked in aud stood for q mo-
ment contemplating themselves as re-
fiected there.
A momentary pensiveness passed
over Mrs. Vernon's face; but Pauline
blushed Just a little and smiled with
IN expression Of sincere delight as
she glanced over the reflection oil n
slender, graceful girl dressed IN $:
gown of clinging, duli-white brocaded
silk with a fluff of delicate lace at the
upper line of the modestly designed
corsage. It was o radiant face that
threw back her smile, and the white
arms and throat with their curious
bracelets AMI slender pearl necklace
shimmered softly.
At this moment Mr.. Vernon came
in, accompanied by a tall. swart man.
The two went directly upstairs to the
room prepared for the gentlemen's
dressing room, but returned almost
Immediately, when Mr.. Vernon pre-.
scented his guest to the ladies as Col
onel Philip Loring.
The gentleman's bearing was mill
tary, soldierly in the extreme, and his
form and face suited well the air OF
studied dignity he wore. While not
strictly handsome, his features were
strong and well-formed, aud his eyes
had a singular power, as if OF concen-
tration aud steadiness. He was
bronzed by exposure to wind and sun
until his face vas olive. brown, al
though it could be seen that it was
not naturally dark, and there was a
white scar, a saber-cut it appeared.
running in o slender limo across q part
of his left cheek and ear. His neck
was corded with muscles and his
hands were shapely, large and sinewy.
''You have a lovely home here, Mrs.
Vernon" he said, speaking French
with a curious accent. 81 have been
telling your husband that he lives like
q grand duke"
Mrs. Vernon had often heard her
husband speak of Colonel Loring as
one of his most trusted friends; but
she had never before seen him.
His smile, as he looked down into
her face, was peculiarly attractive, al
belt there was in it something remote
and inexplicably unsatisfactory.
"And you, madsmoiselle," he con.
tirued, turning with a bow to Pauline,
"must be as happy as you look, in
such a place of euchantment. You
will not charge a rough Old saber like
me with hattery ii I tell you that You
look like au especially dangerous fairy
in n most allurinS bower"
P~auline's cheeks showed the slight
est access of pink under his bold yet
not unpleasant glance.
"Your father and T." he added.
"have long been great friends, and I
account it n Of my far.apart pieces
of good fortune to be here, even by
mere chance, tonight"
"My fathers friend is my friend"
Pauline said; and she could not have
accounted for the embarrassment sue
felt in delivering this bit of formality.
''And mine" joined Mrs. Vernon.
"Wc are glad to welcome you as a
chance guest this time, and We shall
be proud to greet you as o privileged
one hereafter at all times"
The conversation could so NO further
than these stiff c~omnioIplaces charsc-
t~er:stic of the period and the place.
Guests were arriving, and Mrs. Yer
non aad Psuiire had duties TO NEE
at once They bOth turned away.