Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1908-06-22


parture Philippe and Oliver spent a good deal OF
time with her, rather to her wonderment and trout
BILE, she felt Philfppa ought to be with Colonel
Branscombe, and moreover lest he should be say
ing himself she is with that little terrori Her
cousin Mivart Mrs Bolton and and another
dropped In and dropped out, and Colonel Brans-
combe came with orchid blossom from the green
house, which he had himself brought the plant
from the tropics, he took the right to pluck. He
sitting opposite her sofa, and was just taking
the flower from her hand again, in explanation
some point, when Mr.. Osmond opened the portieres
and instantly retreated with round eyes and
muttered "Oh 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 near by with his book, but
the visitors had not observed him, and Philippe
unseen in the alcove. What an absurd nuisance
that woman is" said Oliver. /
But Zoe, who in the instant of it's presentation.
had meant to wear the flower and then to press It
in book and keep-it forever helped herself
the from sofa to table and chair and left the
orchid with PhiIippa. please give 1t some water"
she said. and got herself out of the by
other door lest Colonel Branscombe should the
tears that overfowed like the sudden overflow of
brook after rain in the mountains beyond But
Colonel Branscombe Them
Outside the door she met Mrs Mivart. Really.
Zoe" said that lady. with sweet mockery in her
suave voice. 81 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 no one saw Zoe again
that day.
1t was the next day, Zoe having forsaken the sit
ting-room and betakeh herself with a book to the
big chair in the mushroom, great rainstorm hav-
ing its way with the world outside, that Colonel
BranscoEbe found her. having with him collection
of pictures of the islands where he had his
tinction And before he quite knew it. assured by
her innocent interest he telling of certain ad-
ventures and their outcome and she was listening
with shining eyes. flushed and GREATNESS "Oh,
you make me patriotic!" she cried
Make you?'
Aunt Sophy says patriotism is nonsense. 1t is
caring for the family of else more than
for your own. when you go into battle. She says
there is no America. since all the nations of the
earth have drowned it out"
ION the contrary. they are beng raised and re-
generated by the impact of our laws and institu-
tions'
'Oh, 1 shall say that to Aunt Sophy"
Your Aunt Sophy would have been a tory?"
"She is an ogre" said Oliver who had come in
mo. no, you mustn't talk so about Aunt Sophy!
and was hunting up sheet of music.
NO, no, you mustn't talk so about Aunt Sophy!
She is true and brave"
.Bravei She is scared to death by a notion,
The notion that you may marry me-
II? You? Why you like my own brother.
Oliver. She never would have dreamed of such a
thing She doesn't want to marry any one"
rs your Aunt Sophy-unmarried? asked Col
oneI Branscombe.
a"She-I-"
Her husband ran away-sman blame to him.
said Oliver. And she thinks poorly of husbands.
you 1 would as face the Chimera as to
ask Aunt sophy for the hand of her niece
What is chimera?"
"A flaming dragon who guards fair mafdens- from
champion lovers"
will you be glad to go back?" said Colonel
Branscombe gazing at her.
She returned his gaze for half moment silent
ly. unconsciously and then started up, regardless
of the lame foot's pretences and rushed from the
place like small whirIwind.
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 till she looked like spirit
taking fight. Il know it now,'
That Oliver and l mean to be married-whetn-
er 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
to sleep now, and then carried Philippa off with
her and left Zoe wide awake until daybreak
OF course Zoe understood she was being disl
missed in disgrace For her aunt sophy had said
she might stay second week, if 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
winter than q snoWdron. -