The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-13

Copyright. 1919. by Associated Lit
erary Press)
Aileen Clinton was "A queer girl
every one of Importance said that.
But since those very ones consisted
OF the daughters and wives of the
millionaire settlers OF the lovely su-
barb Of Llynw rood, along with their
cousins and aunts and the usual con-
tingent OF society folk from the city,
Miss Clinton, regardless or judgment
from, without, continued in her much
laTnented course. However. she lost
thereby not one whit OF the love OF
the small children OF the district
Not that the charming daughter OF
the former rector Of ST. James as
ISOLATED with cooks and patronizsd
coachrnen, indiscriminateiy and with
out distinction. even though she did
have way Of discovering. now and
then. among the lower strata OF the
exclusive suburb, individuals of gen
ueness OF manner, OF general unself-
ishneSs and sweetness of character
OFTEN so lamentabty lacking In their
social matters. This girl had
strange and lovely power OF summon
ing from all She touched the very
best In thought and deed, and many
an original word Of comment, many
tract by subtle means from those she
called her friends. 1t IL true thai
tsrc wfsef and more penetrating of the
-1uLi=sHiad ~apEsa -talsss -confied HYnUuy
themselves that Afleen Clinton's pur-
poses IN this study of human char
acter, were not altogether altruistfc.
she writes" they whispered. for
magazines and seeks material
Nevertheless, her aueerness was
not entirely excused on that score
aha many cutting snub---to her
amusement be IL said. however-did
she receive from women who, in time
81 trouble. were only too ready TO call
on her for aid
However. there was one estate own.
ed by a certain Lloyd Coveriy, where
Miss Clinton was never made TO t,oub,
her weicouie- Again and again. In her
cross country rambles, she passed
through the great gateway, beneath the
arcfing elfns, on her way TO the house
Beyond The courtly host and his in
valid wife were always over3oyetl TO see
the radiant girl. but, although she loved
them well, IT was invariably her most
sympathetic self that was foremost I'm
prominence as she turned from the
broad drive, on her homeward trips, (,
nurrying along the box-hedged path
49, ts tat uAttItipI OF LnR COnEerEaA
tory door beyond. For here. amidst
treiiises Of smiiax and holding rose
buds, among boxes OF carnations and
iran. sweet pansy flowers, her brave
friend Hugh held sway.
Hugh Mcdonnell Was no common
gardener no mere shipper of shoots
and spra5S.- neither was he keen
eyed explainer of temperatures. nor
scientific exploiter of theories. strange
and new. This Hugh had intellect. his |
broad brow and deep set eyes would |
nave betrayed that to the girl at once. |
even II his unusual purity of iictian
and remarkable knowledge OF the
worlds affairs had not from the f.rst
attracted her. The girl used to watch
him. wondering as his fingers fastened
lEtraying tendrils and transplanted ten
der shoots, how mans hands could
remain 80 fine, SO shapely. In spite
OF the roughening strain of rigorous
garden work. Truly. the man was "A
gentleman. not merely as some folks
classify with patroBixing smile and up
ward life of brow, zone of natures
gentlemen" but at heart and soul a
gentleman
- AiiesH g conviction OF this MATS orr
gin had often led her 10 talk of Hugh
amidst the lnxurIes of the drawing
room beyond. But her host could tell
her nothing of the man. save that