The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-10-27
CHAPTER XII.
Two Ladies on a Balcony


The outer aspect of Ardsley Is,
frankly, feudal. The idea of North
Carolina estate had grown out of Ard
more'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 he had not con-
cerned himself about house, but had
thrown together a comfortable bunga-
low which satisfied him for a year.
But Ardmore's gentle heart, inacces-
sible to demands of many sorts, was a
defenseless citadel when appeals were
made to his generosity. A poor young
architect, lately home from the Ecole
des Beaux Arts, with many honors but
few friends, fell under Ardmores
eyes. The towers and battlements
that soon thereafter crowned the ter
raced slopes at Ardsley, etching a
noble line against the lovely piano.
rama 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 balcony that commanded the
sunset-a balcony bright with geran-
iums that hung daringly over a ravine
on the west, Mrs. Atchison and Miss
Jerry Dangerfield were cozily taking
their tea. Their white gowns, the
snowy awning stirring slightly in the
hill air, the bright trifles of the tea
table mingled in a picture of charm
and conteutment
II wonder" said Mrs. Atchison abb
ruptly, where Tommy is"
81 have no definite idea" said Jer-
ry, pouring cream, but let us hope
that he is earning his salary"
His salary?" and Mrs. Atchison's
brows contracted. do you mean that
my brother is taking pay for this
mysterious work he is doing?"
He shall be paid in money" re-
piled Jerry with decision. "As / have
only the barest acquaintance with Mr..
Ardmore, never, in fact, having seen
him until 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 employe."
Mrs. Atchison smiled with the wise
tolerance of woman of the world
and she was lady, it must be said
who had a 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 puz
zled; 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 II
a days affairs. The cool fashion IL
which her brother had placed the
daughter of the governor of NORTH
Carolina in her hands on board hel
car at Raleigh had amused her. She
had learned nothing from Jerry o
the beginnings of that young womani
acquaintance with the master of Ards
ley-an acquaintance which seemed t,
be intimate In certain aspects blu
amazingly distant and opaque in 9th
ers Miss Geraldine Dangerfeld, lik
Mrs. Atchison herself, was difficult t.
surprise, and Tommy Ardmores sis
ter admired this in any one and sh
particularly admired it in Jerry, VIII
was SO charming in so many othe
ways.
81 hope" said Mrs. Atchison, pu
ting down her cup and gazing dream
ly into the west, that you have nc
given Tommy any commission /
: which he is likely to fail"
: This was, as the lady knew, almos
J, Tulgarly leading; but Jerry folded he
. arms, and spoke out with charmin
frankness.
? II have heard my father say" sal
Jerry, that incapable men often ris
I to great opportunities when they al
s pushed. Mr. Ardmore has undertake
8 to perform for me a service OF II
, 0reatest delicacy and not unattendt