The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-03-31
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y strangely distrait tonight
9 M 9 it is toothache or love
4 E man." exclaimed the joviai
$ ~o< rector OF Menstone. the
Rev. Harry Ingcld, a squarson Of the
) old school, now fast passing away.
Mountjoy started as the older man
laid his hand on his shoulder.
Not toothache, I'm thankful TO say.
I've never been troubled with that in
my life" =
Then it must be the other thing
Ingold linked his arm into his friends
and drew him into recess. There were
several of these convenient resting
places in the great ballroom Of Mel
lans Castle.
The scene was certainly not one
which favored either melancholy or
abstraction. Sir Harry Gayter, the
owner of Mellans, was giving a ball
to inaugurate his shrievalty Of the low.
lest county Of England, in the eyes of,
, at any rate, its inhabitants, Devon. 1t
was an affair of the elite of the coun-
ty, with large military, naval and
marine element thrown in, to give a
touch Of brilliance and color to the en-
semble. It may be doubted whether
more beautiful women or finer body
OF men had ever before responded to
the hospitable invitation Of the lord
of Mellans Castle than on this particu-
lar occasion.
From the alcove to which 1ngold and
Mountjoy had retired glimpses could
be obtained of the dancers as they
foated past on the carefully polished
floor. Gerald sat forward, looking ca
gerly at the couples gracefully circling
round to the tune of waltz, played
by the marine band from Plymouth,
stationed in the whispering gallery.
2 The younger man was so intent and
lpreoceupied that he seemed already to
have forgotten-at any rate, he was OBJ
livious of-the propinQuity of his COM
panion.
Ingold looked at the fresh, strong,
handsome face with evident sympathy.
He knew perfectly what was passing
behind that inadequate, ill-ftting mask.
He knew that every time the revolu-
ton of the dance brought Bertha
Reeve and her partner, Lord Dayre,
into Mountjoy's line of vision, hard
ness came about the flexible mouth,
and something very like pain showed
itself in the clear gray eyes.
''You don't think Bertha would ever
look at him, do you, Gerald? Why,
she could crumple him up in the palm
of one hand. She is the finest girl in
the room, and that's not saying little.
And he! Why, he has the intellect and
frame Of an under-sized monkey"
What does it matter to me whether
she looks at him or not? Besides, you
never know what woman thinks or
what she likes
Don't you? I do. never was a
marrying man; but not the most in
veterate husband in this room, or any
where else, for that matter, can teach
me about what a woman likes or dis
,ikes.'
perhaps. then," he remarked. some
what testify, you will tell me what
they do like?''
well, above all things, some one
stronger than themselves-more inches,
more fibre, more strength. Only a
woman who wants title. and can
content herself with that and nothing
more, will marry Dayre; and I can
assure you, with all the confidence in
life, that woman is not Bertha Reeve"
II cannot help thinking some
times" Gerald said almost under
his breath.
'"rhat Bertha cares for you-loves
your put in the parson.
Almost that" Mountjoy assented,
after a pause.
"Why don't you take your courage
In both hands, and ask her?'
Gerald looked at his friend.
"How can I:''
"Why not?"
''You know the state of my cx-
ehequer just as we'll as I do. I have
the oldest name in the county and the
poorest property. My pedigree is as
long as my rent roll is short. Bertha
IS Miss Reeve, Of Reeve, the richest
girl in the west, absolute mistress OF
herself and all her belongings. II she
were poor l. would ask her to so with
me to Canada. or somewhere. and we
would make out life together somehow
But as it is! Would not men say
was fortune hunter? Nay, should
not feel like one myself? 1 cannot
even talk to her like can to Other
girls. I should say that she thinks
that fellow Dayre genius by the side
oS me. Look at them now
The dance was over. They were now
at the further end of the salon. Lore