The Columbus journal., 1909-12-22

company of guests had taken posses-
sion Of the small round table just
within the open window. Three we're.
in the party. apparently father. moth
er and daughter. beyond question of
high social class. Paterfamilias. SIT.
ting in stately dignity at what might
be considered the head Of the board.
. broad napkin spread across his right
knee. was typically aristocratic. or
spare figure. stern lean face. With iron
gray hair. and mustaches trimmed to.
perfect point. his eyes. cold and
emotionless. cleaning IKE steel points;
behind sold-rimmed glasses man
certainly over 60. possessing to the!
extreme that irritating hautsur pos
sible only to IN Englishman Of reeoG-
nised family and position. The lsdyl
occupying the seat opposite him. Who0
I naturally presumed TO b his vifst
vas Aeshy enough to own IN amploi
double chin. which drooped to = vastsP
sxpanse below: most sxpsnsivslyi
gowned. her fingers laden With dia-
monds. and . lorgnetts at her eye.
through which she deliberately Sur
veyed the assembled company. Herr
evident attempt at duplicating IL
calm haut-ton Of her emotio0less CON-
panion was neverthelsss somewhat Of
. counterfeit. n II failed TO conceal
wholly . slight twinkle az amusement
curving the corners Of her mouth. and
certain slight vulgar uneasiness of;
manner. His ideal was evidently that
Of .. marble statue. cold. Immaculate.
frigidity Of one born . Tie purple.
while my lady retained some ssm-
blance to nesh and blood. althoash
well venesred BY long social srtiDee.
He was nature. while she had evident
" been developed By skin: yet the
matron. to ny thinking. proved far the
moro interesting specimsa Of the two.
I must confess. hovsver. wasting
precious little attentioa upon either.
for my eyes early rested upon the
younger woman seated between the
two. and hence directly confronting
me. ] win not say I never saw fair
er picture Of womanhood just when
the lovely flower becomes q blossom
fully blown. yet assuredly none other
ever possessed for me- the same in
deanable fascination. the same in
enable charm. twenty-five. possibly.
although her age was dimcult to guess.
With oval face and clear. fresh akin.
the rich, red blood Of perfect health
crimsoning the rounded cheeks: eyes
Of deepest. darkest gray. the kind Of
eyes pledging . thoughtful soul be-
hind to yield them such rare power Of
expression: q face rejecting the Joy
Of living, yet responsive, and. In mo-
ments Of Quietness, saddened beyond
its years: an enhancing dimple visible
in the rather broad chin; the lips
moist and rosy with health. sufficiently
parted to reveal . tantalising glimpse.
Of white, regular teeth behind; the
forehead low and broad, the wealth q
shad0wing hair of darkest brown, yet
with an odd gleam Of reddish gold
causing the gathered masses to seem
IN aureole Of beauty. But 1t was not
the outward face alone. nor any COM
bination Of pleasing features. which
yielded such rare and indescribable
charm-it was rather . distinct and
unusual personality which gave to
these both life and attractiveness. Her
slightest glance or movement. natural
and unaffected. seemed q new reveia-
ti0n Of self. the outer expression Of q
secret inward life which instinctively
longed to penetrate. the guarded mys-
terry Of which was invitation.
The three conversed little. speaking
English with that lack Of rsB1xnlnk
common to those who have bss4 -
customed to having discreet sssSanGa
behind their chairs, the man S1~r
bling icily over the quality cf Hbod ~.
nished and the Indifferent sorviee. nny
lady commenting with audible distinct
ness on the personal appearance a
the various people present, the girl
herself with IN occasional
when directly addressed.
dispatched my own order. and. while
idly waiting the return of the servant.
had my attention attracted toward .
group gathered about . second table
just beyond the one occupied by the
English family party. -
(rO BE CONI1fuED1