The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-06-03

warmth and light, and hear the rain
| beating about the glass. That interested
| and radiant face confronting him would
| have inspired a less fascinating recon-
teur than Hildreth Marlowe to please
such a Desdemona He talked much.
But he also talked we'll. For, being col
: lege bred. and man of keen Observa
ton, he had brought back with him
treasures of picturesque truth that 9TH
ers had underestimated, or passed un-
noticed.
She admired his rugged physique, his
strong. bronzed features, his look OF
| power-of thinking for himself, an6 OF
acting for himself. And he mentally
| approved the aesthetic beauty of the
woman, the luster of her hair, the deli
cate sweep of chin and throat, the f1ut-
! ter and grace of the little ringed, white
| hands.
Indeed an hour whisked away at
most astonishing rate of speed.
ct is almost time for Frank" he be-
gan, when a distant cry startled him. It
was the voice Of a child, he fancied.
Frank had said he had no children.
Marlowe sent an inquiring glance to-
ward his vis-a7vis.
"You will excuse me few minutes!"
| she begged, and passed to the door He
| heard the rustic of her gown as she went
upstairs. The sound of the crying
ceased. When she reentered the room she
| sat down at little French desk and
wrote a few lines. She touched the but
! ton in the wall, and TO the servant who
! fho wit q
of instruction.
when Mr.. Rogers comes" she said,
gayly, as she sank again in her own
seat, I'VE will have little late sup
per- Men always enjoy meals at IN
earthly hours!" she laughed.
Mrs. Rogers" Marlowe said, earnest
| ly, leaning towards her, 'I'm going to
confide in you. Will you permit me to
be personal-and perhaps egotistic?'
81 shall be charmed!" she avowed.
"Well, I'm no fatalist l believe that
man makes himself and creates his for
! tune, good or evil. The old Persian who
wrote about ones Heaven or hell being
in ones self alone, had the right idea
] made up my mind years ago that Ia go
| through college, ard I did-worked my
way through. Then l went west, pre-
pared to undergo all imaginable tests OF
endurance and endeavOr until had
amassed fortune. I've done that, too
but it's been a pull. Now, I'm back
"And now-what is your next ambi-
! tion?" she questioned, smiling.
There are two" he answered, prompt
| ly. Zone includes the other. | want
wife ard home"
He was so direct and simple in his
statement, so like great, unsophlst1-
Gated boy, for all his experience and
travel, that she nodded sympathetlcally.
"You-dont think I'm impertinent!"
he begged, ''but--have you sister,
Mrs. Rogers?"
| "Yes-the dearest sister,! Inc DIM
pies were in evidence again.
"You have? Does she resemble you?'
He was intensely in earnest. "Will you
| introduce me to her?'
with pleasure!" He misunderstood
the mocking light in those laughing eyes,
and was about to thank her, when she
put out a pretty, protesting hand. I'm
so sure you would admire Ellen's chill
dren," she said. "They are darlings!"
"Oh." he calculated, blankly. "She
is married. then?"
Eyes. I've just been up with the little
lad. He had bad dream. Just now his
mother is indisposed, or she would come
| down to meet you" They heard the hall
door open-a tread in the hall.
There" rising hastily, ''there is Mr..
Rogers now!" she said.
Storm-beaten and red-faced, Frank
Rogers came bustling in. He looked
from one to the other of the occupants of
the library, and began to laugh. He
shook, his broad shoulders heaving, his
countenance convulsed with mirth. And
! the lady before the hearth laughed too
"a low, long peal that broke on the air
| like silvery spray.
Marlowe stood petrified with aston
| ishment. 1t was his hostess who took
pity on his bewilderment.
"Mr. Rogers lives next door" she ex-
planned These two houses were built
for sisters, originally, and the locks
could be opened by either. I sent word
to Mr.. Rogers that you were here, and"
The jolly short man stopped laughing
long enough to make proper introduc-
tions.
"This is Mrs Vanreith's home into
which you've blundered, old boy!" he de-
clared. "She is i'll, and her sister is stay
ing with her Allow me to introduce you,
Hildreth to Miss Elaine Sherwood"
The man from the west bowed per-
functorily. Miss-EIaine Sherwood!
Good! But you seemed to know mel"