Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-21


time With her. rather 30 her wonderment and trou-
ble as she felt Philippa ought to be with Colonel
Branscombe, and moreover lest he should be say
ing to himself "She is with that little terror" Her
cousin Mivart, Mrs Bolton and one and another
dropped in and dropped out, and Colonel Brans-
combe came with orchid blossom from the green
house, which as he had himself brought the plant
from the tropics, he took the right to pluck. He
was sitting opposite her sofa, and was Just taking
the flower from her hand again. In explanation OF
some point, when Mr. Osmond opened the portiereE
and instantly retreated with round eyes and
muttered ooh, didn't mean to intruder" Five
minutes after Mrs Bottoms pretty face stared with
apparent surprise instant, and then turned and
ran out, crying, Ten thousand pardons!'
Oliver sat at table by with his book but
the visitors had not observed him. and philippe was
unseen in the alcove. What absurd nuisance
that woman is" said oliver.
But Zoe, who in the instant of its presentation
had meant to the flower and then to press IL
in book and keep 1t forever, helped herself across
the from sofa to table and chair and left the
orchid with Philippe. please give 1t some water"
she said and got herself out of the room by an
other door lest Colonel Branscombe should see the
tears that overlooked like the sudden overflow Of a
brook after rain in the mountains beyond But
Colonel Branscombe saw them.
Outside the door she met Mrs. Mivart. REALLY.
zoe," said that lady. with sweet mockery In her
suave voice, II didn't know you were such an
adept in Irritation Where did you learn? But
are you not going little too far? People are
talking, dear child" And Zoe again
that day.
1t was the next day, Zoe having forsaken the sit
ting-room and betaken herself with book to the
big chair in the mushroom great rainstorm hav-
ing its way with the world outside. that Colonel
Branscombe found her. having with him collection
of pictures of the islands where he had won his dis
tinction. And before he quite knew 1t, assured by
her innocent interest, he telling of certain adj
ventures and their outcome. and she was listening
with shining eyes, flushed and breathless. "Oh.
you make me patriotic!" she cried.
make you?"
Aunt Sophy says patriotism is nonsense. 1t is
caring for the family of some else more than
for your own when you go into battle. She says
there is America since all the nations of the
earth have drowned 1t out"
ION the contrary, they are being raised and re-
generated by the impact of our laws and insttu-
tons"
"Oh. shall say that to Aunt sophy!"
"Your Aunt Sophy would have been a tory?"
"She is OGRE" said Oliver, who had come in
mo. no. you mustn't talk about Aunt sophy!
and was hunting up a sheet of music
mo, no, you mustn't talk about Aunt Sophyf
She is true and brave"
Brave! She is scared to death by notionl
The notion that you may marry me-
81? You? Why, You are like my own brother.
Oliver. She never would have dreamed of such a
thing She doesn't want me to marry any cne."
rs your Aunt Sophy-unmarried?" asked Col
oneI Branscombe.
"She-I-"
"Her husband ran away-smali blame to him."
said Oliver. "And she thinks poorly of husbands.
you see. would as face the Chimera to
ask Aunt Sophy for the hand OF her niece"
What is chimera?"
"a flaming dragon who guards fair maidens from
champion lovers"
''Will you be glad to go back?" said Colonel
Branscombe, gazing at her.
She returned his gaze for half moment, SILENT
y, unconsciously, and then started UP, regardless
of the lame foot's pretences and rushed from the
place like small whrlwind.
"zoe," said Philippa, coming to her that night
81 am going to tell you secret"
"Oh, you needn't tell me, Philippa, dear" cried
Zoe. the lace of her nightgown sleeve falling back
from her uplifted arms till she looked like spirit
taking fight. "I know 1t now!"
THAT Oliver and mean to be married--wheth-
or no? How bright you are! You see. If Oil
yer isn't millionaire. he has quite enough. And
I have something. So 1t isn't at all imprudent.
Mamma Is really very fond of Oliver; and when it
Is known she will be all right
But here Mrs. Mivart tapped at the door and
said that If Zoe going off tomorrow Philippa
really should have some consideration and let her
go to sleep now. and then carried Philippe of with
her and left Zoe wide awake until daybreak.
or course Zoe understood she being dis
missed in disgrace. For her aunt Sophy had said
she might stay second week. T. she were asked.
She put her things together In sort of fury, and
one little troubled dream before she rang for the
maid TO bring breakfast to her room, and then go
ing down, gave her cousin Mivart at the foot Of
the stairs as stately goodbye as her height al
lowed.
Stevens was wrapping the robes about her with
quite minute care, when some one clad In furs to
the eyes--she did not at first see whom-came
down the steps and took the seat beside her, May
II" he said. And Zoe fell back in her corner
whittier than snowdrop.
why Colonel Branscombe!" cried Mrs Miyart
from the open door, Where In the world are you
going?"
"You will see again shortly" he said 1T is
not goodbye I am going" he said, as he replaced
his fur cap and laughed at Oliver, who had just ap-
habf har 0cfn IN fapn fha ohy