Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-24
CHAPTER III.
"lavendre Ambree."


qualities from the sea. Little whiffs OF
perfumes, too, borne by the breezes
from nearby verdure and beds OF
flowers, regaled the senses of passing
pedestrians, susceptible to delicate
fragrance. The young man had far
eastern keenness in this regard; had
he been born in the shadows Of Col
den Pavilion, set in the conventional
lake of tranquility, he would have de-
lighted in the incense box and the
amicable competition of guessing illu-
sive odors.
On a day like this, all classes and
conditions were astir in the peoples
breathing space as he stepped into and
down one of the paths. The tramps
dozed: the children romped. A few
more horsemen and women than usual
were in evidence. Machines of all the
makes" from the silent and insin-
uating electric to the noisy and self
assertive taxicab, moved hither and
thither. Mr.. Bruce's income at Messrs.
Goldberg and Company's was not SUI
ficient, at least so he thought, to ena-
BILE him to own and to maintain a ma
chine So he walked.
He had not gone far, however, when
a shiny vehicle, of a beautiful blue,
with a pretty monogram on the door,
passed him noiselessly; then stopped
at the side of the path. Mr. Bruce saw
white fiowers-a tiny bouquet that
adorned the interior of the dainty ve-
hicle-then buds of other colors and
a girls face beneath; blue eyes below
a wave of black hair, red lips slightly
apart as she bent forward in the sun
light.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Bruce" She
looked out of the window. Il was just
thinking Of YOU"
Another would have expressed him.
self as fortunate. Mr.. Bruce only
bowed and very deferentially waited
for her to go on.
We have at last settled on Jap
anese play, the one we plan to give IN
the autumn" she explained, land as
YOU have consented to take part, L
that is, we-wanted to ask If II, and
your role, would be acceptable"
AS I said when the matter was first
broached to me, l am quite at your
disposal, Miss Wood. But what Is the
play?"-
San Tankyo; The Beggar-Prince."
Bruce Strengthened slightly. Not
by" He mentioned name.
Yes: l remember, because"-the
girls lips curved-"we once gave it in
school,"
He looked down. She fancied his
expression had changed in the least;
that he was thinking deeply, though
he swung his stick with an assump-
tion of lightness. This surprised her,
she did not quite know why; she re-
garded him in the least curiously.
IF YOU have any objections ?"-she
began.
None at ALL" quickly. What part
an enigmatic expression crossing his
clean-cut features-"dd you wish me
to take?"
There is but one mans role OF any
consequence, that of the beggar-
prince; the other men-notably the
great Shogun-are only talked about.
THE beggar-prince who" Bruce
stopped suddenly: his laugh sounded a
little strange to her. The girls blue
ewes widened in the least. But GER
tainly"-he checked himself-"that Is,
if you think l am equal to the role.
Odd, though" he added, you should
have chosen that particular piece.
Rank socialism, most people would
call it,"
Then l venture to disagree with
them"
His eyes dared to be amused. You
will set a new fashion in problem
plays" he observed. But what part
did YOU take. Miss Wood, in school,
If may ask?"
That of the beggar-prince."
All" He looked at her, tall and
straight; an ideal Roselind-or a
beggar-prince. Yet he was not think
ing of her. She knew, too, his thoughts
were at the moment far off; remote
from school girl entertainments, en-
thusiasms of the classroom. Some
now he vaguely offended her; at the
same time, it may have been interest
or that other feeling. her sex's legiti-
mate inheritance. swayed her to lin
ger.
Il will send you the part" she OBJ
served, her tone rather reserved.
1T will not be necessary" he an
swered. II have it,"
Indeed" interested in spite of her.
self
Both in the original and the Eng
lish."
And you can read the former?
.Oh, yes. 1t is one of many in lit
tie drawer of the desk Of tiny prin-
cess who lived two hundred years ago
The manuscript is a dainty plaything
tied with ribbon and beautifully
decorated with appropriate flowers II
looks both pretty and-harmless," he
laughed.
Miss Wood had heard people say
they did not understand Chatfield
Bruce; that he was a poseur, dilet-
tante. or an arbiter elegantiarum. al
will. She might well believe that; he
certainly seemed in an eccentric mood
at the present moment. The girl fell
inclined to leave him alone. Her glov-
ed hands frightened on the handle OF
her machine: she was about TO nod
very stifiy. hardly perceptibly, hut IN
stead, did something perverse.
If YOU have any objective point, MT
Bruce" Miss Woods glance vaguely
indicated place in her car.
"Alas: | haven't" He laughed. Al
the instant he seemed to her sudden
~ more natural. "A half holiday, you
see. and Mr.. Goldberg, my employer
gives me an afternoon off. That is. on
condition"
ON condition." She deigned to ask