Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-11-14

MAX lelt ueClueuly plcdSSu Win
himself as he walked up the steps OF
a palace belonging to one of New
York's millionaires. This millionaire
and all his belongings were of special
interest to the public just at that time
because his daughter was shortly to
be married to a titled foreigner and
the wedding, in the magnitude of its
splendor, was to eclipse all previous
weddings.
A well-known photographer had re-
ceived an order from a magazine for
photographs of the important rooms
in the home of the bride-elect, and
Max, who was the photographers
right-hand man, was now on his way
to take the pictures.
Arrived at the house, Max began
with the drawing-room. When he had
the light and his camera arranged to
his satisfaction Max sent away the
servants who were helping him and
prepared to take the picture. AS he
was about to remove the cap he
heard the rustic of gown and wo-
mans face appeared between the cur
tains that hung in doorway directly
in range of the camera.
!. The face belonged to tall, slender
: creature, half girl, half woman. When
she saw Max she seemed startled, but
at sight of his camera she recovered
her composure.
MAY | come in?" She asked the
question in hesitating way.
Max smiled at her. II would rather
you waited a few minutes" he return
ed, uneasily, unless you want to be
in the picture. Just step back out
of sight and l will call you in mo-
ment."
The girls astonished face as she
obeyed him made Max realize that he
had been a trifle dictatorial to some
one who had more right there than he.
She evidently lived in the house and
he found himself wondering as he
timed his exposure, in. what capacity.
He came to the conclusion that she
was probably companion or secretary
to one of the family. Her dress, as
well as her way of carrying herself
and her manner of speaking, told him
she was not a servant and he knew
that the millionaire and his family
were out of town. They were sup
posed to have slipped away to give
the bride-elect a few days rest and
shelter from publicity before the we'd
ding.
You may come in now" Max
called.
AS the girl entered the room he no.
ticed that she was very pretty. She
walked over to his camera, which
she examined with interest. The girl
seated herself before the fire and be-
gan listlessly to turn the pages of a
magazine, meanwhile asking questions
about his work until Max found him
self growing communicative. He told
her how busy they were at the studio
ad that he preferred photographing in
teriors to taking portraits of actresses
and celebrities. interior work was
harder, but portraits became monoton-
Gus.
"This house is a beauty, isn't it?"
he remarked.
The girl looked surprised, then she
smiled. YES" il is a nice house" she
said
"You don't say that very enthusiast
tically," observed Max turning to look
at her, but suppose you're too used
to it to have it impress you as it does
me. There'll be a fine time here when
that wedding comes off, he went on
"It's going TO cost something, | tell
you, but like to see rich people spend
- . though
making such a fuss over girl not out
of her teens. Do you know herr" he
asked suddenly.
Yves, know her"
do you like her? l have always
heard that she had very lovely dis
position, sweet and gentle, you know
and all that"
"Oh, | suppose under all her moods
she has a fairly good heart" said the
girl, rising and going over to look ou
from one of the windows
silence followed which was bro
ken only by the faint splashing OF the
fountain in the hall. Max was inten
on his exposures and his companion
who had returned to her chair, ap
peared to be absorbed in book.
Il wish Maisie could see this
house," Max cried suddenly.
The girl looked up quickly. WHO Il
Maisie?' she asked.
Max's face grew red under his fai
skin; he had spoken without stopping
to think. "Maisie is" he began In
laundering way; she is the girl In
engaged TO-" he ended bravely Th'
shyness in his manner. in such con
trast to his former easy assurance
seemed to amuse and please his com
panion.
$50 you are going to be married
too?v she said smiling at him.
mo, l am not going to be married
Tor a long while yet" Max answered
ruefully Il only wish | were. Blu
there's no such luck"
Doesn't she want to be marrie'
YETI"
Eyes. but we've got to wait"
why" The girls voice was ful