The Washington times., 1911-09-30
By CAROLYN WELLS


I my boy. oh! Peter, can't you find out
what It is, and then I'm sure we car
| I assured the dear old lady that
would try in every possible way to dc
what she wished. and then The Woins
began to tune and we went across the
hall to the music room.
| Mr.. Maxwell came In to listen to the
Though slightly deaf. he had nne
ear for music. and greatly enjoyed q
good performance. I saw him glance al
Philip several times. and, II the boy
iety seemed relieved, but II Phil were
! overquiet or sober-looking, Mr.. Maxwell
sighed and glanced away again.
The music room was The front room
on the right as one entered the great
hall that ran through the center Of the
house. Back of it was the dining room.
and back of that a cross-hall, butler
pantry, and. in an ell the kitchens and
servants sitting room.
On the left of the wide hall, the from.
room was the drawing room. Then the
billiard room: back Of that MT. Max
wells study, and back of that the con-
servatory.
The large library was on the second
floor and was in many ways the most
attractive room In the house. There
were bedrooms on both the second and
third floors so that Maxwell Hall was
well adapted for generous hospitality.
A broad veranda ran all around three
sides of the house both on the ground
floor and second story. and on II. from
most of the rooms, opened long French
windows.
Later in the evening I walked with
Irene Gardiner on the upper balcony.
and we reveled in the beauty OF the
scene spread out before US.
Irene Gardiner puzzled while she at
tracted me. I never could feel quite
sure whether she was as frank as she
seemed, or not.
Perhaps It was only the natural Of.
feet of her dark. almost Oriental
beauty, but she somehow seemed cap
able of diplomacy or intrigue.
Tonight, however. she was simply
charming, and, whether assumed or not,
her attitude was sincere and conhden-
tial.
We traversed the three long sides Of
the house on the upper balcony and
then. turning, retraced our steps. Ere
quently we met or passed other couples
or groups of young people, and ex-
changed merry, bantering words
At last Irene paused at the southeast
end of the balcony, and we sat down on
wicker settee.
MIR. King" she said. almost abrupt
ly, don't you think it's a shame the
way Mildred treats Mr.. MAXWELL"
i was surprised at the question, but
had no intention Of committing myself
TO this mystifying young woman.
who can criticise the ways Of such
an enchanting fairy as Miss Leslie?"
replied lightly.
do you think her so fascinating?"
The question, was wistful and very
She Is both beautiful and charming,
and she has completely bew!tched
Philip" l said.
Yet she does not really care for
him." cried Irene passionately. She
AdnTp9 Gilbert Crane Dnf she leads
Philip on, and is breaking his noble.
splendid heart, merely for her own
Ny eyes were opened
''Oho, my lady" l thought 10 myself.
So you are in love with the handsome
Philip. Sits the wind in :hat quarter"
But I only said: II think she cares for
Phil. Who could help preferr'ng that
splendid fellow to young CraneT,
Il know II seems So" went on Irene,
but she does like Mr.. Crane better. She
told me so herself only today. She said
Philip is egotistical and purse-proud,
and that Mr.. Crane has a true poet
soul"
Perhaps she didn't mean her conf
dences for me, Miss Gardiner" ! said
n little stiffiy, for / was of no mind TO
discuss these things with her.
L don't care" cried Irene. her eyes
you to know how matters really stand.
and then l want you 20 warn Mr.. Max
we'll against such fckle. shallow little
thing as Mildred Is"
Il can't consent to do that" I an
swered. Philip is old enough to know
what lie Is about. If Miss Leslie pre-
fers Gilbert Crane, Phil will certainly
find 1t out for hiself. and soon. But
think he will convince her that she has
only a passing fancy for Crane. and
that he himself is really her destined
fate"
/ tried TO speak gaily, for I did not
wish to take the subject seriously But
In a low, tense voice Irene exclaimed:
1T shall never be! Philip Maxwell
shall not throw himself away on a
neartless little coQue.te who doesn't
know how to value him! Since you re-
fuse to help me, I will take matters
INTO my own hands!'
l was amazed at her intensity of
speech, but still trying to treat II all
lightly, I said:
THAT is your privilege. fair lady. |
Come, let us return to the music !
room. want to hear you sing again"
You go down. please, Mr.. King"
she said. and her voice was Quieter |
Leave me here for a little. and l |
will rejoin YOU soon" AS she seemed |
10 be very much in earnest, l did her |
and sauntering around. I en- |
tered the house by the long French |
window into the front hall. As I
passed through the hall. met Miss |
Miranda just going to her own room.
Leaving us?" l inquired. smiling al |
her
Yes" she said. 'T am very weary |