American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-10-29
HAPTER XII.
Two Ladies on a Balcony.

The outer aspect of Ardsley is,
frankly, feudal. The idea of a North
Carolina estate had grown out of Ard
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 on
cerned himself about a 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 Ardmore's
eyes. The towers and battlements
that soon thereafter crowned the ter
raced slopes at Ardsley, etching a
noble line against the lovely pano-
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 a 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 Dangerfeld were cozily taking
their tea. Their white gowns. the
snowy awning stirring slightly in the
hill air, the bright trifies of the tea
table mingled in a picture of charm
and conteutment.
Il wonder said Mrs. Atchison abb
where Tommy is"
Il have no definite idea" said Jer-
ry. pouring cream, but let us hope
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. LAS | have
only the barest acquaintance with Mr..
Ardmore, never. in fact. having seen
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 a woman of the world;
she was a 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-
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 DAVIS 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. h
had learned nothing from Jerry OF
the beginnings of that young woman's
acquaintance with the master OF ARDS
lev-an acquaintance which seemed TO
be intimate in certain aspects but
amazingly distant and opaque IN otn-
ers Miss Geraldine Dangerlield, ike
Mrs. Atchison herself, was diif1cuit 10
surprise, and Tommy Ardmores SIS
ter admired this in any u ana she
particularly admired it in Jerry VINO
was so charming in so many other
ways. .+
~ hope" said Mrs, Atchlsoh' put
ting down her cup and gazing dreami-
" into the west. that you nave NOT
given Tommy any commission
which he is likely to fail.
This was. as the lady knew aiinoS1
ulgarly leading; but Jerry folded ner
arms. and spoke out with chaii"Ne
frankness. said
81 have heard my father say sala
Terry. that incapable mel often tse
TO great opportunities when they aau
nushed. Mr., Ardmore has unaer.aken
70 perform for me a service Oh sna
srsatest delicacy and not unattended