The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-07-14
CHAPTER XIV.
in the Conservatory.

He came across the room with his
slightly and fell back. Winstanley
passed him by without noticing him
more than if he had been the hearth
rug. "This room is hot" he said to
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 breath of spring. She gave him
a 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-dinner
smoking room. The admiral was not
a smoker, and he gave the conserva-
tory up to his guests. Winstanley
showed no signs Of putting the place
to its 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 it. She sank down
On the little wicker bench, as he stood
close beside her, towering from his
six feet of height.
II hope I mmistaken in fancying
that little brute was disagreeable." !"
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 a smile that
was half apologetic. She reached .x up
and drew down, a bunch of heiotrope
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. II hope that was not the
grounds of his offense."
She shook her head, half laughing.
1T was, an dit wasn't. He said nice
things about you, to begin with, and
then odious ones"
."Confound 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 I should
not
There are no questions you could
ask ME that could ever deserve that
name There had come sudden
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?'
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 c,1riosity-he wanted me to
ask you about the generals discov'
cry
Winstanley made low sound OF
surprise, Of incrednlity. 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; l shall have an
answer ready for him. l 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 not. Anyway, he shan't
repeat it. And yet, do you know, the
questions are not all asked or answer
ed. ] have one I want to ask you
Will you call that an impertinent one
l wonder?'
How can I tell till I know what ii
is?'' Her voice was so low he had to
bend his head now to catch it. But
he did not gather discouragemen'
from it's breathlessness.
"You are going to know it this very
moment. Do you really need to be
told in words? Ursula, don't yol
know what i want to ask you? Dom
you know you are the whole world tt
mel May hope?"
There was no respons e in words
But she turned her glowing face up Il
him with the answer in it. He was st
tall above her that he could not re
main there He dropped on one KNEE
by her side like a medievalzlover-'