The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-19
"FIREPROOF.''

We'll, Gerald, you seem strangely
distract tonight; is it toothache or love.
man. exclaimed the jovial rector of
Menstone. the Rev. Harry Ingold. a
parson 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 friend's
and drew him into a recess. There were
several of these convenient resting
places in the great ballroom of Mel
lans Castle.
The scene was certainly not ore
which favored either melancholy or alb
straction. Sir Harry Gayter, the owner
OF Mellans was giving a ball to inaugu-
rate his shrievalty of the loveliest
county of England in the ewes of at
any rate, it's Inhabitants, Devon. 1t
was an affair of the elite of the county,
with a large military, naval and ma
rine element thrown in, to give a touch
of brilliance and color to the ensemble.
1t may be doubted whether more beau
tiful women or a finer body of men
had ever before responded to the hos
pitable invitation of the lord of Mel
lans Castle than on this particular oc-
casion.
From the alcove to which Ingold and
Mountjoy had retired glimpses could be
obtained of the dancers as they fioated
past on the carefully polished floor Ger
aid sat forward, looking eagerly at the
couples gracefully circling round to the
tune of a waltz, played by the marine
band from Plymouth, stationed in the
whispering gallery.
The younger man was so intent and
preoccupied that he seemed already to
have fOrgOtten-at any rate, he was
oblivious of-the propinquity of his
companion.
Ingold looked at the fresh. strong,
handsome face with evident sympathy.
He knew perfectly what was passing
behind that inadequate. limiting
mask. He knew that every time the
revolution of the dance brought Bertha
Reeve and her partner, Lord Dayre, in
to Mountjoy's lire of vision a 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
hei Why he has the intellect and the
frame of an understood monkey"
What does it matter to me whether
she looks at him or not? Besides, you
never know what a woman thinks or
what she likes
Don't you? do. I never was a
marrying man; but not the most invet-
crate nus banO IN TINS TOOIn or any
where else, for that matter, can teach
me about what a woman likes and dis
likes
perhaps, them he remarked. some
what testify, you will tell me what
they do like?"
"Weu, above all things. some one
stronger than themselves-more inches,
more fibre, more strength. Only wo-
man who wants a title, and can con-
| tent 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
81 cannot help thinking sometimes
-" Gerald said, almost under his
breath.
THAT Bertha cares for you-loves
you?" put in the parson.
almost that Mountjoy assented
| after a pause.
why don't ,-ou take Your courage il
both hand 2 c-k Aer?"
Gerald looked at his friend.
How can II"
why not2'
''You know the state of my exchequel
| just as well as I do. I have the old
est name in the county, and the poor
est property. My pedigree is as long
as my rent roll is short. Bertha is
| Miss Reeve of Reeve, the richest CIR
in the west, absolute mistress of her
self and all her belongings. IF she were
| Pocr I would ask her to go with me tC
| Canada. or somewhere. and We weulc