The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-16
By
MEREDITH
NICHOLSON.
CHAPTER XI.


Two Ladies on Balcony.
The outer aspect OF Ardsley is, frankly,
feudal The idea OF a North Carolina
estate had grown out OF Ardmore's love
of privacy and his wish to get away
from New York. where his family was
all too frequently struck by the spot
light The great tract Of land once
secured ne had not concerned himself
about house. but had thrown together
a comfortable bungalow which satisfied
him for a year. But Ardmore's gentle
heart, inaccessible TO demands OF many
sorts, was a defenseless citadel when
appeals were made 10 his generosity. A
poor young architect lately home from
the EcOle des Beaux Arts, with many
honors but few friends. fell under Ard
more's eyes. The towers and battle
ments that soon thereafter crowned the
terraced Slopes at Ardsley. etching a
noble line against the lovely panorama
of North Carolina hills. testified at once
to the architects talent for adaptation
and ArdmOre's diminished balances at
the Bronx Loan and Trust Company.
On a balcony that commanded the
Eunset-a balcony bright with geranl-
ums that hung daringly over ravine
on the west Mrs. Atchison and Miss
Jerry Dangerheld were costly taking their
tea Their white gowns the snowy avn
ing stirring slightly in the hill air. the
bright trihes CT the tea-table mingled IN
a picture Of charm and contentment.
II wonder" said Mrs. Atchison
abruptly. where Tommy is"
'T have no deG-ite idea" said Jerry,
pouring cream. but let us hope that he
is earning his salary
This salary" and Mrs. Atchison's
brows contracted. do you mean that
my brother is taking pay for this mys-
FERROUS work he is dOing?"
He shall be paid in money" replied
Jerry with decision. "As I have only
the barest acquaintance with Mr.. Ard
more, never I'm fact, having seen him
until a few days ago. it would be very
improper for me TO permit him TO serve
me except under the rules that govern
the relations OF employer and employee.
Mrs. Atchison smiled with the wise
tolerance of a woman OF the world and
she was a lady IL must be said. who
had q keen perception Of that sane and
ample philosophy OF life which proceeds,
we may say, for the sake OF convenience,
from the sense of humor. She did not
like to be puzzled; and she had never in
her life been surprised. least OF all by
any word or deed Of her singular brother
Tommy. She liked and even cultivated
with daring the inadvertent turns IN a
days affairs. The cool fashion in which
her brother had placed the daughter OF
the governor of North Carolina in her
hands on board her car at Raleigh had
amused her. She had learned nothing
from Jerry OF the beginnings of that
young woman's acquaintance with the
master Of Ardsley-an acquaintance
which seemed 10 be intimate in certain
aspects, but amazingly distant and Opaque
in others. Miss Geraldine Dangerfield
like Mrs. Atchison herself. was difficult
20 surprise, and Tommy Ardmore's sister
admired this in any one, and she particu-
larry admired II in Jerry, who was SO
charming in so many other ways. Mrs
Atchison imagined that Jerry's social
experience had been meager. and yet the
girl accepted the conditions of life al
Ardsley as a matter OF course, and II
the gatherings Of the house party Jerry
there was no denying it-held the center
OF the stage
The men, including the Duke of Bally,
Wrinkle. hung upon her nghtest word
which often left them staggering; anc
she frequently flung the ball Of CONVEX
sation into the blue ether with a care
less ease that kept expectancy a-tiptoS
IN the minds and hearts Of all the com
pany.
7 hope" said Mrs. Atchison, puttine
down her cup and gazing dreamily into
the west, that you have not given Tom
my any commission in which he IS libely
70 fail. II II were a matter Of finding
a fan you had left behind somewhere
or even OF producing an extinct flower
from the Andes. he would undoubtedly
he faithful to the trust imposed on him
but in anything that Is really serious
really Of Importance, one should never
depend on Tommy"
This was, as the lady knew, almos
vulgarly leading; but Jerry folded he
arms, and spoke out with charming
frankness
Il have heard my father say" saiC
Jerry. that incapable men often rise Z
great opportunities when they ar,
pushed. Mr. Ardmore has undertaken
70 perform for me a service OF the great
est delicacy and not unattended witt
danger. You have been kind 20 me, Mrs
Atchis0n, and as you are my chaperol
and entitled TO my fullest confidence I
Is right for you to know Just how
came here, and why your brother 4
absent IN my service"
For once curiosity bound Mrs. Atchi
son IN chains OF steel.
Tell me nothing, dear, unless you ar
quite free TO do So" she murmured
but her heart skipped beat as sh
waited.
Il should not think OF doing so excep
OF my own free will" declared Jerry
carelessly following the flight Of a hawl
that Tapped close by toward the neigh
boring woods. 1T may interest you I
know that just now your brother MI
Thomas ArdmOre, is the governor o
North Carolina. He does not exactl
know II, for at Raleigh I myself wa
governor Of North Carolina at the tim
we met and / only made Mr.. Ardmor
my private secretary; but when It be
came necessary to take the field,
placed him in full charge. and he 1
now not only governor Of the Old Nortl
State. but also the commander-in-chie
Of her troops In the field"
With q nice feeling for climax Jerr
paused, picked a lump Of sugar fror
the silver bowl on the tea-table. bit tn
edge Of Il dainty. and tossed It Z
the robins that hoped on the lawn be
Meath
Mrs. Atchison moved forward slightly
but evinced no other sign OF surprise
The hour. the scene. tho girl were a
90 her liking. She would even prolonE tn
delight OF hearing the further histor