The Holly chieftain., 1910-06-17
CHAPTER xi.
Two Ladies' on a Balcony.

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
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-
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
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 balcony that commanded the
sunset-a balcony bright with geran-
iums that hung daringly over ravine
on the west. Mrs. Atchison and Miss
Jerry Dangerfleld 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 picture of charm
and conteutment
Il wonder" said Mrs. Atchison abb
ruptly, where Tommy is"
Il have no definite idea," said Jer-
~. 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 l 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 a 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 in
. days 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. She
had learned nothing from Jerry of
the beginnings of that young woman's
acquaintance with the master of Ards
ley-an acquaintance which seemed to
be intimate in certain aspects but
amazingly distant and opaque in 9TH
ers. Miss Geraldine Dangerfeld, like
Mrs. Atchison herself, was difficult to
surprise. and Tommy Ardmore's SIS
ter admired this in any one and she
particularly admired it In Jerry, who
was SO charming in so many other
ways.
Il hope" said Mrs. Atchison, put
ting down her cup and gazing dreami-
ly into the west, that you have not
given Tommy any commission in
vhtnh ha 10 1fLolv to Fo{lO
THIS was. as the lady knew, almost
vulgaily leading; but Jerry folded her
arms, and spoke out with charming
frankness.
Il have heard my father say" said
Jerry. that incapable men often rise
to great opportunities when they are
pushed. Mr., Ardmore has undertaken
to perform for me service of the
greatest delicacy and not unattended