The Washington herald., 1907-12-30

pert Haverford. There was scarcely a
great house which had rot thrown open
its doors 20 him.
Already his small dinners had taken
10 themselves cachet. II he had respond
ed TO all the invitations which were
poured upon him he would scarcely have
had a moment to himself. AS It was. he
felt that he was drifting more swiftly
into the stream of society than he had
any desire or intention of doing
Not once. but a dozen times, he had
told himself Of late that he must change
this
Life for him had a serious meaning.
1t was full OF serious projects.
Sometimes. when he was a guest at the
table Of some illustrious parsonage. or
sometimes. when he would be standing In
a ballroom. watching the dancers. and
listening to the strains Of softest music,
he would lose himself as il were; he
would go back in his imagination to those
days when be had stood working with the
humbIest OF the factory hands. working
and dreaming for the time when he should
be free. Working, not for this bubbling
gayety, but for those big. those noble
ambitions which his father had set be-
fore him as his ideals when he had been
child OF only a few years.
He threw aside the letters now, and
leaned back in his chair.
1t vas. perhups the first time he had
let himself challenge himself.
With one of those curious tricks that
Imagination plays Us at times. he was
4
of his room 10 that cold damp mist of
the day before. He was walking through
the white fog with Camilla Lancing nest
ling close TO him.
II he were to turn his back on London.
on society, on that life which had been
circling about him of late. he must turn
his back on this woman, for she. and
she alone, was the magnet that held him
so tenaciously. unless she would be con-
tent 10 go with him.
He caught his breath suddenly. like one
who fights for a cold, keen wind. and
sot up. 1t had grown TO be the dominant
influence of his present life, this struggle
with himself on the subject Of Camilla
Lancing. How would II end?
His man entered his room at that mo-
ment. bringing a note.
1t was written in pencil. and came from
Camilla.
L am waiting outside" she had scrib-
bled u wonder If you would see me?
want 10 see you so very much. have
a great favor TO ask you. Could you spare
ten minutes"
Rupert Haverford read the note two or
three times he wanted 10 calm himself
and steady his voice
Please ask Mrs. Laneing II she VIII
come in. Harper" he said.
She came in almost directly.
Yesterday she had been a brown fairy:
to-day she seemed to be a living violet
He never knew, in detail, what she wore;
he was only conscious OF the exquisite
effect she always made. Her near ap-
proach was heralded by the sweetest.
faintest whisper OF the flower she per-
souifed
She had thrcwn back her ven He
noticed that, though she was smiling, she
looked pale and tired.
How good OF you TO see me- she said
How good OF you to come,'' he an
swered. in his usual grave way-the way
she called "stodgy"
He pushed forward a chair for her. near
the fire, but she chose 20 sit away from
II, in the shadows.
Thanks. No, / won't have tea. have
had some already-twO cups, and / must
HOt stay more tnan TWO minutes. nave
some news for you" she announced. lag.
nes has come up with me; I simply re-
fused TO leave Yelverton without her
And she only wanted an excuse to come"
Camilla laughed as she sank into a chair
You have not an idea what a scene Of
excitement there was at my house when
we arrived. My children simply adore
Agnes. and she adores them. And, oh.
Mr.. Haverford, / am charged with all
sorts Of messages 10 yOui Betty and Baby