The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-08-26
CHAPTER XIX.

Ihe Deer Trace family and the two
guests from Woodlawn were in the mu-
sic-rOom when Tom was admitted, with
Ardea at the piano playing war songs
for the pleasuring of her grandfather
and the eX-artilleryman. Under cover
Of the music, Tom slipped into the cir
Gle Of listeners and went to sit beside
his mother. There was a courteous
hand-wave of welcome from Major
Dabney, but Miss Euphrasia seemed
not to see him. He saw and under
stood, and was obstinately impervious
to the chilling east wind in that quar-
ter
Ardea fingered lovingly on the clos
ing harmonies of a nocturne, and
when the final chord was struck her
hands fingered on the keys until the
sweet voices of the strings had sung
themselves afar into the higher sound
heaven. Then she turned quickly and
surprised her anesthetized audience.
You poor things!" she laughed. In
another five minutes the last one Of
you have succumbed Why didn't some
body stop me?"
The iron master said something
about the heavy work of the day, and
helped his wife to her feet The Major
came awake with d start and bestirraJ
himself Hospitality, and Miss Euphrasa
rose to speed the parting guests-or,
rather, the two of them who had been
invited In the drift down the wide
han Ardea fell behind with Tom whom
Cousin Euphrasia continued to ignore
Il came to tell you" he said, IN a.
low tone, snatching his opportunity. Il
can't sleep until l have fought 1t out
with you"
you don't deserve a hearing, even
from your best friend" was her dis
couraging reply; but when they were
at the door she gave him a formal re-
prieve. Il shall walk for a few min
utes on the portico to rest my nerves."
she said. IF you want to come la il
-"
He thanked her gravely, and went
obediently when his mother called to
him from the steps But on the Wood !
lawn veranda he excused himself, and
when the door closed behind the two |
in going, he swiftly recrossed the lawns |
to pay the penalty.
The front door of the manor house |
was shut and the broad pillared porti |
co was untenanted. He sat down in |
one of the rustic chairs. The door
opened and closed and Ardea stood be
fore him. She had thrown wran
over her shoulders, and the light from
the music room windows Illuminated
her There was cool scorn I'm the slate
blue eyes, but in Toms thought she
mad never appeared more unutterably
beautiful and desirable-and unattain-
able.
Il have come" she said, in a tone
hat cut him to the heart for its very
What have you to say
'or yourself?"
I'm afraid I haven't left myself
much to say" he began, penitently. II
vas born foolish, and it seems that 1
haven't outgrown It. But, really, if you
.ould know"
"Unhappily, do know" she inter
upted IF I did not | might listen to
-ou with better patience"
ut did look pretty bad,", he confess
d. And that's what wanted to say;
t looked a great deal worse than 1t
vas you know" .
Il am bound to believe what I see
With my own eyes," she rejoined Per
APPS you can make 1t appear that see
1g Is not believing"
"Of course l can't If you take that
ttitude," he complained. And then he
aid irritably: You talk about friend
hip! You don't know the meaning of
he world"
IF l didn't, I should hardly be here
t this moment" she suggested. you
ont seem to apprehend to what de-
rading depths you have sunk"
His sins in the business field rose
efore him accusingly and prompted I
is reply. '
Yes. I do; but that is another mat
r. We were speaking of what you /
wv this evening. VIII you let me try
} explain?"
Eyes, If you will tell the plain truth" s
Lacking imagination, can't do any y
ling else. Nan has had a falling out b
ith the old scamp of a moonshiner
no calls himself her father. She came t
me for help, and broke down in the v
idst of telling me about It, I can't
and woman's crying any better than h
her men" q
And that was all--absolutely III, Il
om2"
Il don't lie--to YOU" he said, briefly. Il
She gave him her hand with an i'm
llsive return to the old comradeship !,
believe you, Tom, in the face Of a. I,