The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-01-14

stage. she was twenty now, yet Mrs
Bowring had postponed the comm
out of her youngest and most beaut
full daughter until another season.
| Once or twice before this Nan ha,
watched similar scene In the bal
room, but the meeting with Howar,
| Claiming made the present occasion
one not to be forgotten. The musi
seemed sweeter than she had eve
heard IT before, the lights were NOR,
alluring. the scent of flowers NOR,
exquisite. and somehow she did no
seem to care whether she ever cam,
out officially" or not Tonight sh,
lived for the first time.
Once more the hangings were part
ed and Claiming entered, bearing {
carefully prepared tray.
Supper is being served now" ht
said gayly.
"Oh. how perfectly lovely every
thing looks!"
Claiming set the tray carefully be
tween them on another chair, and tt
the soft strains Of solitary harp in
the opposite balcony they ate their
first meal together. Most of the
dancers had adjourned to the supper
room and they were quite alone in
their retreat.
When the meal was concluded they
felt like old friends. Claiming told
her of his youthful escapades. of his
college days, and the busy present
day ups and downs In the Street. Nan
related free. open-air life on her
fathers country estate and subsequent
uneventful years in the schoolroom,
followed by European tour, accom-
panied by stern German governess.
Next year was to witness her formal
coming out.
This is my real coming out party"
she said prettily.
I'm glad l came" smiled Chan
ming.
An unlimited guestl"
An unwelcome one, perhaps?"
She blushed rosily and shook her
head Claiming decided that her face
was like the pinkest oleander bios, om
just above her dusky hair. 81 am
very glad you came to my party, Mr..
Charming. l was feeling very dull
and lonely. am afraid 1 must go
now. Mother would be SO vexed If
she knew-especially-" She arose
with sudden haste and turned toward
the door. A recollection of what she
had done-the conventions she had
dared. seemed to assail her with sud-
den misgiving.
Especially" Claiming had arisen
also and was looking down at her
from his six feet of confident strength.
Nan was saved the trouble of an
swering his question, for just then
her little fiuttering hands went up to
her heart with a frightened gesture
as the curtains we're parted and the
majestic figure of Mrs. Bowring con-
fronted them.
Nancy" she exclaimed sternly,
what are you doing here? And Mr..
do not understand" Her
frown relaxed into puzzled smile as
her eyes met those of Howard Chan
ming.
Confession is good for the soul,
Miss Man," he suggested, with a COM
'orting little laugh; ''let us tell your
mother about our adventure am
sure she will forgive u.s."
Nan did so. her face suffused with
charming bushes, and Mrs. Bowring,
astute woman of the world. noted
-hanning's interest, and inwardly re-
DICED. Forgiveness was merely
natter of words She had granted
Nan absolution at the first glimpse of
Shannfng's face.
Nevertheless. she carried Nan on to
led, with an invitation to Charming
o come and drink cup of tea the
lext day.
AS Nan followed her mother
through the doorway. Claiming hold
ng back the curtain. leaned forward. |
Especially" he asked tenderly. |
Nan reached back and plucked a
ink oleander blossom from the tree.
lie held out his hand and she dropped |
he flower In 1t and was instantly |
,one.
And Claiming wore the flower
ome and dreamed Of the earliest day
'hen he might come again and carry
weet Nancy OF forever.