The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-12-20
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
defenseess 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
ewes. 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 a balcony that commanded the
sunset-a balcony bright with geran-
iums that hung daringly over 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
Il wonder" said Mrs. Atchison abb
ruptly, where Tommy is"
81 have no definite idea" said Jer-
nv. 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-
plied Jerry with decision. LAS | 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 employee
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 tina
sane and ample philosophy of lift
which proceeds, we may say, for thu
sake of convenience, from the sens'
of humor. She did not like to be puz
zled: and she had never in her lif'
been surprised. least of all by an.
word or deed of her singular brothe
Tommy. She liked and even cultivate'
with daring the inadvertent turns II
DAVIS affairs. The cool fashion II
which her brother had placed tn
daughter of the governor OF Mort
Carolina in her hands on board he
car at Raleigh had amused her. Sh
had learned nothing from Jerry G
the beginnings of that young woman
acouaintance with the master of Ard!
ley-an acquaintance which seemed
he intimate in certain aspects Du
amazingly distant and opaque In OIL
ORG Miss Geraldine Dangerfield, Xix
Mrs Atchison herself, was difficult
surprise, and Tommy Ardmore's 81
ter admired this In any one and sn
particularly admired it in jerry wn
was so charming in so many othe
ways.
81 hone" said Mrs. Atchison, pu
ting down her cup and gazing dream
| " into the west. that you have NJ
| given Tommy any commission
| which he is likely to fail.
This was. as the lady knew, almo
| vulgarly leading; but Jerry folded III
| arms. and spoke out with charmir
frankness.
81 have heard my father say, sa
Jerry, that incapable men often ri
to great opportunities when they a
pushed. Mr.. Ardmore has undertake
70 perform for me service OF u
greatest delicacy and not unattend'