Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-01-17
At the
Ambass ador'r
Reception
By A. NJ. DAVIES OGDEN
Copyright. 1905. BY Eugene PARCELS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

an extremely hot July day even 70.
Paris. and Leighton felt tired and dis.
pirited. But all good Americans must
go to their ambassadors reception. Be
sides, there was girl. Yet Leighton's
step did not quicken at the thought.
His pace, if anything, slackened. She
was nice girl-oh. yes-and pretty
and rich. Nevertheless
The rooms were crowded with the
usual mob Of Americans, travelling and
resident, mingled among few French
people. Leighton. watching idly for a
moment. caught sight of Miss Harris
wedged across the drawing room and
worked his way to her. At his sug.
gestion of the conservatory she looked
keenly at him and seemed to hesitate.
Then she smiled.
Why. 1t might be cooler" she assent
ed You know the way"
But once away from the crowd. amid
the luxuriant green OF the palms where
little ripping fountain lent note of
freshness to the heated atmosphere.
young Leighton fell silent. AS the girl
~NA'AesNN* 49, - o-As ~ III
OF his quietude. Leighton studied her
carefully. She was slight and trim
perfect i'll 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 1t was the sight of SO many
of his country people together, but un,
doubtedly Leighton was conscious of
vague nostalgia. Would he ever see
America again:
He was tall, clean cut young fel.
low. with pleasant hazel eyes. but
round his mouth had deepened lines
which betrayed that existence was
proving none too kind. Five years ago
he had arrived at the Beaux Arts
eager. hopeful. ambitious. He had
worked hard, he had struggled pa.
tlently, yet somehow success did not
seem to come, and now a terrible
doubt was beginning to torment the
young fellow. Had he mistaken his
vocation?
From the beginning his father had
been averse to these artistic projects
There is place for you in the bank
whenever you choose to come home
and take it," he had said, but no
money of mine shall go for foolishness
| and Frenchmen." Young Leighton. at
! first too confident to dream of failure
and later too proud to admit the fact,
had fought along striving to the best
of his ability. How could he give up
and go home? And, then, Just month
ago he had met Miss Harris.
She was stopping awhile in Paris
living with rich old aunt and pos.
sessed of the reputation Of being her.
self extremely wealthy. Apparently she
had at once taken fancy to Leighton
She asked him to call The day after
he had left a card at the Ritz came an
invitation for dinner, and henceforth
nearly every day saw the young PEG
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 sensitively alive
to the beautiful, her perceptions were
delicate and fine. her tastes cultivated
Leighton realized fully her charm, ant
yet he still hesitated to put the de
cisive question. Her voice broke sud
denly across his reverie.
You are not listening at ALL" she re
monstrated gayly. yet with a certain
strained note below her mirth, whicl
Leighton In his abstraction missed
"Why this wool gathering tendency to
day." Leighton laughed.
1T wOS thinlyipo hour lilo rooo ~,
looked against all this green In tina
pretty pink frock," he answered. Mis-,
Harris frowned little.
Il do not care for compliments" sh,
uttered dryly. pray let me tell 20,
again that l am leaving Paris tomor
row.
Leaving Paris" echoed Leighton
"Why"-
; I'VE go to Lucerne for awhile" stat
I ed Miss Harris. ut is far too warn
. in Paris now"
"Lucerne"' repeated Leighton agail
. rather blankly. He could never affor,
, to follow her there. II he were goin
n to ask her it must be done now. Hi
$ mouth tightened. The girl, whose eye
had scrutinized his face with certain
:. eager intensity, interposed before b
i, could speak.
I Il am going to Lucerne to join
h friend she began rapidly. as thoug
there We're something which must b
met and faced now. Il want to &c
there before she leaves. as have jus
heard that she is sailing next weeI
: We have always been great chums
: this girl and l; had no secrets fror
each other and that sort OF thing
II Yes said Leighton absently. II
! was wondering how 1t would seem t
lie work in the bank. Was 1t fair to
i girl to marry her for her money? AT
: er all, dad was good sort II he coul
i only make up his mind to renounce ar
I. to confess his failure to dad! But q
st the thought his throat contracted. Civ
d In: admit that he was no good. 81