Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-11-24
At the
AmbaSS ador'L
Reception :
Copyright, Isoh. by Eugene Par
sOsOsOsOsOsOOsOsOsCs a
By A. NJ. DAVIES ocDE

Af'AhatVn Ntnl nNlltNN ~
the steps OF the embassy. II had Been
an extremely hot July day even for
Paris, aud Leighton felt tired aud dis.
plrited. Hut all good Americans must
40 TO their ambassadors reception. he.
sides, there was a girl Yet Lelghton's
step did not quicken at the thought
His pace, II anything. slackened. She
was a nice girl-oh. yes-and pretty
aud rich. Nevertheless
The rooms Were crowded with the
usual mob OF Americans. travelling and
resident. mingled among a few French
people. Leighton, watching idly for
moment, caught sight OF Miss Harris
wedged across the drawing room and
worked his way 10 her. At his sug-
gestIon OF the conservatory she looked
keenly az him and seemed TO hesitate.
Then she smiled.
why. Il might be cooler" she assent.
ed. "You know the wayf"
But once away from the crowd, amid
the luxuriant green OF the palms where
a little ripping fountain lent a note OF
freshness TO the heated atmosphere.
young Leighton fell silent. As the girl
chatted gnyly on, apparently unheclful
OF his quietude. Leighton studied her
carefully. She was slight and trim.
perfect In detail from the tiny patent
leather ties to the huge, rose crowned
hat tilted so becomingly on the wavy
hair. Yes, she was undeniably attrac-
tive. Yet once more Leighton sighed
Perhaps II was the sight OF so many
OF his country people together. but un.
doubtedly Leighton was conscious OF
a vague nostalgia Would he ever see
America againi
He was a tall. clean cut young fc..
low. with pleasant hazel eyes bui
round his mouth had decpeuei lines
which betrayed that existence ua.
proving none too kind Five years az
he had arrived at the Bcaux Arr
eager. hopeful. ambitious Hp uJI
worked hard. he had struggled pa.
tiently, yet somehow success did uot
seem 20 come and now terrible
doubt was beginning 10 torment t.p
young fellow. Had be mistaken his
yOcatiOnf
From The beginning bis father had
been ayersc 20 these artistic projects.
There Is u place for you In the bank
whenever you choose 10 come home
and take IT," he had said. but no
money OF mine shall 90 for foolishness
and Frenchmen." Young Leighton. nc
first too confident 10 dream OF failure
and later too proud TO admit the fact.
had fought along striving 10 the best
Of his ability. How could he give up
and 90 homer And, then. just a month
ago he had met Miss Harris.
She was stopping awhile In Paris.
living with a rich old aunt and pos
sessed OF the reputation Of being her. |
self extremely wealthy. Apparently she |
had nc once taken fancy 10 Leighton. |
She asked him 20 call. The day after
be had left card at the Ritz came an
invitation FOR dinner. and henccfOrth
nearly every day saw the young peo-
pie together on some preteXt or other
Leighton let himself drift He liked
her. liked her immensely. To her very
finger tips the girl was sensltively alive
to the beautiful. her perceptions were
delicate and fine. her tastes cultivated
Leighton realized fully her charm. and
yet he still hesitated 20 put the de-
cisiyc question. Her voice broke sud
denly across his revere
You are not listening nc ALL" she re-
gayly. yet with a certain
strained note below her mirth. which
leighton In his abstraction missed
why this wool gathering tendency TO.
dayi' Leighton laughed
Il was thinking how like rose you
looked against all this green In that
pretty pink frock," he answered. Miss
Harris frowned little
II do not care for compliments" she
uttered dryly. Pray let me tell you
again that I am leaving Paris tomor.
row"
Leaving Parisr' echoed Leighton.
why
I'VE go TO Lucerne for awhile" stat
ed Miss Harris 1T Is far too warm
In Paris now"
''Lucerner repeated Leighton again
rather blankly. lie could never afford
TO follow her there. II he were going
to ask her II must be done now. His
mouth frightened. The girl, whose eyes
had scrutlnized his face with n certain
eager intensity. interposed before he
could speak.
Il am going 10 Lucerne 10 Join a
friend" she began rapidly. rs though
there were something which must be
met and faced now. II want 10 get
there before she leaves. as | have just
heard that she Is sailing next week
We have always been great chums.
this girl and /; had no secrets from
each other and that sort OF thing"
Yes" said Leighton absently. He
was wondering how Il would seem TO
work In the bank Was II fair TO a
girl 10 marry her for her money! Aft
Pr all, dad was a good sort. II he could
only make up his mind 10 rcnounce art.
10 confess his failure 20 dad. but at
The thought his throat contracted. Give
In; admit that he was no good. He
bent forward.
Listen" he began unsteadlly. "T'-
But the girl was still chatterlng on.