Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1910-07-13
CHAPTER xl.
rwu Ladies' on a Balcony.


The outer aspect of Ardsley ia.
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 2 comfortable bunga-
low which satisfied him for a year.
But Ardmore's gentle heart. inacces.
sible to demands of many sorts. was
defenseless citadel when appeals were
made to his generosity. 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 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.
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 trifes of the tea
table mingled in a picture of charm
and Conteutment
I wonder" sGid Mrs Atchison alb
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. CAS- hs We
only the barest acquaintance with MIR.
Ardmore, never, in fact. having seen
him until a few days ago, it would be
very improper for me to permit him
to serve me except under the ruips
tnat govern the relations OF employer
and employee"
Mrs. Atchison smiled with the wise
tolerance of a woman of the world :.
aud she was Il lady, 1t 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
NJ humor She did not like to be Duz.
1lcd; and she had never I'm her life
Hord or deed of her singular brother
Tommy. She liked and even cultivated
~ith daring the inadvertent turns in
n days affairs. The cool fashion II,
which her brother had placed tho
daughter Of the governor of NortI,
Carolina IN her hands on board ber
car at Raleigh had amused her she
had learned nothing from Jerry Of
tue beginnings Of that young womans
acquaintance with the master of Ards.
iey--an acquaintance which seemed m
be- intimate i'm certain aspccts hut
amazingly distant and Opaque In 9th
ers. Miss Geraldine DangerHeld. like
Hrs. Atchison herself was difficult tn
surprise and Tommy hrdmore'g sis.
Ger admired this I'm any one and she
particularly admired 1t IN Jerry. who
vas so charming I'm so many other
ways
hope said Mrs Atchison. put.
tag down her cup and gazing dreami-
~ into the west, that you have not
given Tommy any commission in
which he is likely to fail"
This was. as the lady knew. almost
Vu'garly leading; but Jerry folded her
arms. and spoke out with charming
frankness
4 have heard my father say" said
Jerry. that incapable men often rise
% great opportunities when they are
pushed. MFR. Ardmore has undertaken
% perform for me service Of the
greatest delIcacy and nor unattended