Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-06-14
CHAPTER XIV.
In the Conservatory.

passed him by without noticing him
more than If he had been the hearth
rug. This room Is hot" he said tt
Ursula, under his breath. "Will you
come to the conservatory" He walk
ed to the glass door and opened it
The scent OF warm flowers rushed out
like a breath of spring. She gave him
grateful look and passed In without
speaking. He carefully shut the door
after them.
Inside there were colored lamps
burning, and low cane seats lurked
among the plants and banks of bios
som. 1t was rather a habit of the
house to use it for an after-dinnel
smoking room. The admiral was not
smoker, and he gave the conserva.
tory UP to his guests. Winstanley
showed no signs of putting the place
to it's usual purpose, however, as he
and Ursula turned the corner of the
tall palms and found themselves ON a
space of tiled floor, with a gay rug or
two spread out on 1t. She sank down
on the little wicker bench, as he stood
close beside her, towering from his
six feet of height.
hope ] mmistaken in fancying
that little brute. was disagreeable.' 3
His voice threatened unutterable
things if his suspicious be true. He
seemed slightly excited at dinner, and
one never can tell what the effect of
excitement is on some people. He
hasn' t much Of head"
Ursula looked up with smile that
was half apologetic. She reached up
and drew down a bunch of heliotrope
TO the level where it could be smelt.
+" He was horrid-rather," she admit
ted. He was speaking about you"
About me! Good heavens!' rue
fully Il hope that was not the
grounds of his offense."
She shook her head, half laughing.
TT was, an dit wasn't. He said nice
things about you, to begin with, and
then odious ones
aConfound him! 1t is always open
to one to go back and punch his head"
No, no, not that sort of thing. He
only wanted me to ask you impertinent
questions, and didn't seem to think
there was any reason why | should
not
There are no questions you could
ask nae that could ever deserve that
4,
hush to his voice, and his look bent
down upon her, was full of something
that vibrated and glowed. Nothing
you know it-that you would not honor
me by the asking. Do I need to as
sure you OF that 3"
Her heart leaped at the thrill In his
own tones; she could not raise her
eyes from the heliotrope spray. This
was something no one had right to
ask.
You have all rights
mo, no you don't understand; it
was. vulgar curiosity wanted ME to
ask you about the generals discov-
cry
Winstanley made low sound OF
surprise. Of incredulity. what in
heavens name has he to do with that?
The prying curiosity Of some imperti-
nent people is past believing. He had
really the cheek to say that? He had
better address his questions straight
to me another time; ] shall have an
answer ready for him. i don't think
he'll ask another, probably"
Very likely he didn t know he was
impertinent, said Ursula. That
strange new thrill that filed her with
rapture made her feel suddenly kind,
even. to the baron.
Perhaps moi. Anyway, he shan't
repent at And vet, do yOu know. the
questions are not all asked or answer
ed. 4 have one ! want to ask you
VIII you call that an impertinent one,
TX wonder ~
How can tell till i know what 1T
TSP Her voice was SO low he had to
bend his head now to catch it. But
he did not gather encouragement
from its breathlessness
OH are going to know IT this very.
moment. Do you really need to be
! told in words Ursula. don't you
know what want to ask YOU? Don't
you know you are the whole world to
me May hope e
There was no response In words.
But She turned her glowing face up to
him WI h the answer In it. He was So
sk9 lIsaboYe her that he could not re-