Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-21
Copyright 1905. byrhomss r. Mckee.
Copyright 1908. byThomss 81. Mckee
HE automobile was going at great clip
over the high, lonely road, where wide
and desolate country fell away on either

chauffeur, perhaps enjoyed, it: his feet were cold
but the rest of him alive with the joy and de-
nrium of speed. But the bundle in the tonneau
tossed about from post to pillar did not enjoy it
Rt all.
large part of the bundle consisted of rugs and
furs and cloaks and numberless other wraps; but
the core of it young girl who gasped for
breath, and felt as If she part of comet flying
through dreary space. The Mivart's her aunt's
gay cousins, with whom she was going to spend the
week. had sent the car for her: there was to be a
grand ball there tonight and round of festivi-
ties afterwards.
She had not wished to go; but her Aunt sophy
said it was high time; and dispatching her lug
gage by express the day before had her dress
ed in her ancient brocade (''It won't JAM, said
Aunt Sophy, as she wound yards of amber beads
about the girls white throat) and then encased her
in so many layers that had she been thrown from
the car she would have fallen only as bundle of
wool that falls and is not hurt. The girl was afraid
of the Mivarts, who. with two exceptions. Oliver
and Philppa, she knew but little; afraid of Stew
ems the chauffeur, afraid of the speed, afraid of
the wind rushing by like wild spirit; and her
teeth chattered-teeth pretty pearls. But as
they descended civilization. Stevens obeyed
the laws so far as going only twice fast as the
law allowed At last, after several short corners
that threw her like bale of shawls from side
to the other the machine stood painting and roar
Ing, and she lifted out ana borne into the
house where half dozen people came to meet her
and take her to the fire blazing up the big CHM
ney
Mre no daughter philiDna and
their cousin Oliver had all to receive her. and
began, with laughing and plying EXPLANATIONS. to
unfasten her innumerable wraps, Colonel Brans-
combe not far away. AS garment after garment
was peeled off, she grew smaller and smaller. and
at last brilliant little butterfly emerged from the
chrysalis, tiny yellow butterfly, lowering a
ment over the armchair and then sinking exhaust
ed into its depth. Colonel Branscombe plunged
the poker into the fire, and brought quickly glass
of port from the dining-room oellaret, and having
held the red hot poker in it moment till it bub-
bed, he put the glass to her lips. She drank it
without question openeing a pair of great blue
eyes and looking up at him while.she drank, till he
withdrew the empty glass
The hot and pungent draught swept through her
veins like sweet fire. she had never in her life tast-
ed such a thing; the roomed seemed immense. Mrs.
Mvarts face something appearing out of
cloud and Colonel Branscombe's eyes, looking into
her own, seemed the very stars of heaven. In
moment, however, she had regained her poise. but
those eyes with their dark brilliance of black da-
monds. always remained the same in her thought
THE idea of Cousin Sophys sending that child all
this way in hall dress said Mrs. Mivart.
aunt Sophy said I would be in that
in anything else, with all the wraps" said Zoe with
some spirit.
"Sophy lives in world of her own"
"a pleasant world said Zoe. she Is always
doing something for people; and she is the great
lady there, you know oh, yes, it Is very pleasant
there" she added, wistfully. and seeking Colonel
Branscombes smile again without knowing it.
"You shall come up with to your ROOM" said
Mrs. Mvart, crossing the rug and putting her hand
the girls soft hair. THESE pretty locks must
be dressed again, and the crumpled things smooth
ed out. The people will be coming This is
your first ball? You must enjoy it,
She was a Respondent little creature when she
came down, like incarnation of sunshine, and
stood with Mrs Mvart and Philippa to receive the
guests. 1t not long before she was whirlng
like little golden flame among the dancers. "You
dance like thistle-down set to music" said Colonel
Branscombe.
"That would be such irresponsible dancing" she
replied.
"You made for a num-" he said.
ooh, no, MOI" she exclaimed. zone might
well be dead. I read of a wicked nun who
walled up alive; and thought she walled
up alive, any way!"
81 have friend who is nun; she is the happiest
person I know"
Happy! oh, it would be than Aunt So
phys life; with nothing to look forward to-noth-
ing to live for"
''She has you"
"Oh But what am I?'
II suppose she would say you little dear"
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