Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-19

way corner, instead OF on Canal street.
Then, after running the gauntlet 10
the end. he found his hand trembling
nervously as he laid IL on the latch
Of Mrs. Chaudrons gate. He stopped
and laughed at himself. Even IL he
were q few minutes late there was
no necessity for such a panic. He
paused at the gate. just 10 show him
self that he was not afraid. then
walked steadily up TO the door.
Anita contrived 10 meet him and
have the first word: il was done so
carelessly and Unexpectedly that Joe.
who was coming down the stair,
| thought IL an accident.
ITS all right" Duke whispered 20
Anita, eve sail tomorrow at two
| o'clock"
The things are packed-back yon-
/ der-in bag" Anita answered with
a nod toward the little room: and the
man understood.
Joe met them as they were entering
the drawing room.
Hello. Noel" he said. where have
you been all day."
"Loahng around: getting rested"
He tried not TO laugh outright. but
he could not help thinking how dunn
founded Joe would be tomorrow.
Duke glanced about the Chaudrons'
dining-table. glittering with glass and
silver redolent OF pink carnations.
sweet with the intangible atmosphere
Of home.
He chatted with Mrs. Chaudron.
spoke naturally as he could 90 Alice:
he sent back a laughing retort TO
pretty little Miss Derosset. talked
frankly with WoodfOrd Vance and
smiled at sober-sided Joe across the
table
But he felt nothing. he thought OF
nothing ne cared for nothing except
the girl beside him. the girl with the
black lace gown and the throat OF
dazzling white-the girl whose eyes
spanked and snapped-the girl who
had the single ionQuil hidden in the
midnight OF her hair.
Il wanted 20 wear this gown-just
once she whispered. eagerly
Everything else is ready"
Ready" Dukes heart beat gIori-
ously az the word She was ready 90
follow him into the unknown wilder
nesses Of the world. ready 20 follow
him beyond the seas. out OF the
shadow Of her flag beyond the sound
Of her mother tongue: she was ready
20 forsake her native land. her kin.
the companionship Of her friends:
ready 90 renouncc them all. and hy
with fugitive from her couutry's jus
tice. The mans reveront soul bowed
itself In humility az the altar OF
woman's sacrifice.
Anita had balanced every refine
ment OF this life around her upon the
tip OF her slender fingers. Love and
exile had outweighed them an. He
turned his head slowly toward her
as he might have done homage 20
saint. She laughed an excited little
laugh. and touched his hand beneath
the table. Anita was very happy.
Dukes tongue unlooscncd. Joe
thought the wine had exhilaratod him
he talked so brilliantly. but he no
ticed that the clarot went untasted
his chahlis was untouched. and he had
turned down his champagne glass
Joe wondered 40 the color in his face
the infectious enthusiasm Ga his voice.
his huoyant spirits.
All through the dinner pretty little
Miss Dorossot mo the gar end OF tho
table could scarcely take her eves
away from him for fear she mlrht
miss something that d. said
While old Ben was clearing ava,
the salad plates something reminded
Duke. and he BEGAN Co tcll very In
teresting story OF the Argentine rcvo-
lutions-the story Of an American
hardware drummer and fussy gov
eminent official hurjened with re-
sponsibility and gold lace Pretty
Miss Derossct faced him. scarcel,
breathing. 60 was so romantic.
In the midst Of his story the door
bell rang lie dropped his fork Will
clattor; his voice wavered and
stopped. Involuntarily he looked over
his shoulder into The hail
Anita caught her breath In one
quick gasp and pushed back her
chair.
Never mind. dear" said Mrs. Chau-
dron; Celeste viii 90"
The color went and came in Anita's
face; She stared out into the hall.
Then she heard Celeste talking with a
messenger boy who had brought
49, ava @AAo' CANAQIOl. oAt lauEueQ
and looked at Duke.
We'll. what did the governor do
then?" asked Miss Derosset. with one
little fist lying clenched on the table
Everything was safe: Duke STUN
bled through with his story. After
that he sat quietly and listened. But
he knew he was listening for the bell.
the sound OF the latch. a step on the |
walk. and not at what was said across
the table.
In every lull OF the conversation
Chaudron reverted TO the subject |
which irritated him most-the tr Zach
cry OF Baker
Coffee had been served, and dallied /
over Old Ben began handing round |
the cigars, and the ladies arose TO l
leave
But III make them suffer for tt
see II l don't" Chaudron declared |
Vehemently 10 Joe.
What are you talking about, my
SOM" asked Mrs. Chaudron, laying