Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tete-a-Tete

THE groom took the horses at the terrace
L steps, and Garriott followed his guest
indoors. 1t had been wonderful morning.
Garriott had risen at dawn and had sped
across the harbor in the Vas-y to Long
Point,-it was shorter by four miles than
the road and had found Abby waiting for
him by the pavilion-the fatal pavilion!
Before sun-up they were at the Grange
and out on the road. There was delight in
the surreptitious character of their ramble.
The roads were deserted, the horse fresh,
and breeze from the north had brought
sharp nip in the early morning air which
lent to the illusion that the season was still
at early spring. But the perfume was that
of midsummer, wild roses fought for prece
dence along the hedges amid the luxuriant
ivy, and the lush grass was spangled with
daisies. For all they knew, they were the
only people in the world. They spoke little;
but their silence was eloquent in appreciation
and understanding. The yellow tinge in
CARROTS face had been carried away in the
swift rush of new blood, and in the eyes of
his companion new light shone, the CLEAN
of new impression, the luster of renewed
emotion. The hour was hers, and the warm
glow of her enthusiasm made him hers also
In the breakfast room Bradley was await
ing them. A month of rest had done him
good, or SO it seemed; for he and the chef
outdid themselves in preparation of break
fast. A great grapefruit favored with mar
aschino each half sunk in hemisphere of
ice, nesting frigidly in bed of white roses;
cold bouillon; chicken livers en- brocheHe and
omelette sonfff with some extraordinary po-
tatoes, rich black coffee, and some betits
pains completed the repast.
1t was meal for gods, and they ate raw
enously, with the appetites of health and
youth and the zest of new situation.
Breakfast finished, they moved their chairs
to the bay window, where they could look
out over the tennis court and the water.
The shadows on the lawn were shorter now
the heat haze was rising from the dew, and
the scrupulous mid morning SUN was search
ing the shadows.
She looked up at him and smiled. Brooke
had filled his black briar and was watching
the sails on the harbor, picture of mascu-
line contentment, the sloth of the healthy
animal at rest.
THE sun has never seemed SO garish or the
day so derisive," she sighed. "Why
can't day be always young? There is no
hour SO insensible as ten O'Clock in the
morning"
He laughed. at has been good to us"
mo; that was Bradley and the cook,
better than a loaf of bread beneath the
bough,' my friend. Did you order it?"
Il said I'd have guest for breakfast"
Il have no business to be here" she broke
in. Il shouldn't have stayed. Suppose
Natalie should come in SUDDENLY"
"She wouldn't mind in the least. l think
she has shown that. Besides, she isn't COM
ing"
Hope not. Even though she doesn't
care about you, there's something unpleas-
antly familiar in the way I've taken posses
sion of her Lares and Penates."
(Which am L." he asked in amusement.
II don't know which kind husbands are,
your kind of husbands l really
haven't taken possession, after all. But,
since l didn't go on the Alicia my presence
here shows preference for your society to
hers. She wouldn't like that"
"She needn't know, if you don't want her
to. | won't tell her. probably won't see
her. There's nothing she can object to.
She didn't ask my permission to take De
Land on the Alicia" he muttered.
"Theres difference" Abby moved her
head obviously. you've made her a pres
ent of Rene; but so far as | can see she
hasn't made you present of me-"
He leaned forward searching her face; but