The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-16
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Lit
erary Press.)


erary Press,)
And what is Miss Ransom's opin-
ion on the suhject?'
Eric Hope turned deliberately and
faced the girl who had remained 81
lent during the discussion. For a
second she met the cold blue eyes of
his, and then said, not defianuy, but
calmly and with just sense OF hav-
Ing reasoned her words.
Children are very wonderful--hut
think they are by no means the only
blessing in the world. nor do | con-
slider them essential to the complete
happiness OF man and a woman"
Flayias cool undisturbed glance
rested for moment on Eric Hope
face. He returned the look steadily,
then replied with a short laugh:
1T is rather unfair to judge all
happiness from your own unemo-
tional standpoint
A deep flush mounted Flavia's face.
For a second ii seemed to the dinner
guests that an open battle was i'm
minent They waited for Flavia to
speak.
I A low ripple of mockery preceded
her answer, How absurd of you to
suppose, Mr.. Hope. that 1 would judge
that question from my own stand
point" She laughed unrestrainedly
and swept in the circle of guests with
an affectionate smile. Every one
here knows that my voice is my child.
my love and my world; 1t gives pleas
ure to my friends. infinite JOY to my
self. and" she paused and finished
half seriously--'wha child. no mat
ter how wonderful, could do more"
A short silence followed her words.
TIL r,fH 20 xnin
Hear, heart he cried Il think
you've hit the nail pretty nearly on
the head. Fiayia."
,, Tom" Connie Nicholson flashe d
an indignant glance at the father OF
Thomas. Jr.
My dearest Connie" put in Mich
olson, quickly, II referred only To
Flavia'A particularly unique happi-
ness. why, that fragment of hui
mainly in the clothes basket upstairs
was the saving straw to our domes-
tic
Toni"
Erie Hope laughed aloud.
You've put both feet in it now
Suddenly blank look overspread
Tom Nicholsons face. THAT re-
minds me. Connie, who is going to
stay with Thomas, Jr., tonight 7
Nurse won't be back until tomorrow
and / promised Drake we'd be over
A fash Of happiness lighted up
Comics face, then died away with
heavy sigh.
I'm have to cali up Edna and tell
her we--or rather I--can't come" she
said bravely.
and break up the whole blooming
crowd" growled her husband. Can't
you tie the clothes basket on the back
OF the carriage and take him aionge'
And bump my precious boy over
ten miles of rocky road at 8 o'clock
in the morning. Besides, it's a baa-
nette--not a clothes basket
This makes the seventh dance
we've missed on account OF that
nurse" finished Tom, lamely.
Flavia laughed, Why don't you
say baby when it's on the tip OF your
tongue?" She dared not meet the
blue eyes Of Hope. Something told
her that he was not appreciating the
humor OF the situation
"F1avia- dear" sighed Connie. ''you
are 30 blunt
mot blunt" returned Flavia-
Sensible And am going to be
even more sensible and offer to stay
with the baby. don't care a thing
about dancing, and besides" she went
Oh HuTEleuiy I'm II ueSlIOu8 OF nl0lnK
her pleasure, II have new book OF
ballads"
"But it is such a sacrifice" put in
Connie. hopefully
Sacrifice ?" came the clear voice
of Hope. I'VE all heard Miss Ran
som say that her music constituted
her world-in that case she 10 mere
ly hiding her desire to be rid OF us. .
There was a tinge of bitterness I'M
DERIVING his words. II hope, Miss
Ransom. that your voice-child will
never call forth a sacrifice"
"A child OF spirit can scarcely do
that" Flavia flung her retort at him
half In mockery ana half in pain;
his words had penetrated beneath
the outer calm.
You two certainly love each 9TH
err laughed Tom Nicholson.
we do" Eric Hope spoke while
he lighted cigar and held Flavia's
eyes through the smoke.
An hour later Tlavia stood out on
the wide veranda ana watched the
others depart. It was an exQuisite
moonlit night She rothsr envied
them the ten-mile drfv0.
II hate to leave you an alone" said
Connie.
II am supremely happy" whispered
Flavia, "and unafraid.'
Al they drove on down the lane Of
elms they heard the rich bal cAntC
tqnas e FIsvta singing an ariA from
''1easet. ;-~