The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-15
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.


Madame Reynier had an interest in
seeing the smaller towns and cities OF
America, something besides the
show places" she said, So they made
visits ashore here and there, though
not many. As they grew TO feel more
al home on the yacht, the more re-
luctant they were TO spend their time
on land. Why have dust and noise
and elbowing people. when they might
be cutting through the blue waters
with the wind fresh in their faces ?
The weather was perfect, the thrall
OF the sea was upon them.
The roses came into Melanie's
cheeks. and she forgot all about the
professional advice which she had
been at such pains TO procure In New
York There was happiness in her
eyes when she looked on her lover.
even though she had repulscd him.
AS for Mr.. Chamberlain. he breathed
the very air OF content Madame Rey-
nier with her inscrutable grand man
ner. confessed that she had never be-
fore been able precisely 10 locate Bos-
ton. and now that she had seen il, she
felt much better. Even Alexis lean
bulk seemed 10 expand and flourish In
the atmosphere OF happiness about
him. HIS sudden venture was a sue
cess. beyond doubt. The party had
many merry hours, many others full
of a quiet pleasure, none that were
heavy or uneasy.
III Alexis outer man prospered In
this unexpected excursion, II can only
be said that his spiritual self flower
ed with a new and hitherto unknown
beauty. II was late Towering, pos
sibly-thoueh what are "a years 10
lnfinity but there was in IL a rich
ness and delicacy which was it's own
distinction and won its own reward.
Melanies words, spoken in their
long interview in the New YORK
home, had contained an element or
truth. There was poignant sincerity
in her saying, You do not love me
enough" which touched Aleck 10 the
center OF his being He was not mig
gardly by nature; and had he given
stintingly OF his affection TO this wo-
man who was 10 him the best? HIS
whole nature shrank from such a
role. even while he dimly perceived
that he had been guilty OF acting IT..
love, IL was because he had been the
dupe of his theories; he had for
sworn gallantry toward women. and
had unwittingly cast aside warmth OF
affection also.
But such condition was after all,
more apparent than real. In his
heart Aleck knew that he did love
Melanie enough, however much
that might be. He loved her enough
to want. not only and not mainly
what she could give 10 him; but he
wanted the happiness OF caring Tor
her, cherishing her, rewarding her
! faith with his own. She had not seen
1 that. and IL was his problem TO make
! her see IL. There was only one way.
And so. In forgettin ghimself, forget
ting his wants, his comforts, his
studies and his masculine will-here-
lin was the blossoming OF Alexis soul,
, Meanie instinctively felt the subtle
change, and knew in her heart that
Aleck had won the day though she
still treated their engagement as an
open question Aleck would read 10
iher in his simple, unaffected manner,
sometimes with Madame Reynier and
Mr.. Chamberlain also for audience,
sometimes TO her alone. And since
they lived keenly and loved, all books
spoke TO them OF their life or their
| love. A line, phrase, thought,
would ring out of the record, and each
would be glad that the other had
heard that thought; sometime they
would talk il all over. They learned
to laugh at their own whimsical pre-
udices. and then insisted on them all
the harder; they learned, each from
the other. some bit OF robust opti'
mism, some happiness OF vision, some
further reach OF thought.
After they had read, they would play
at quots. struggling sternly. against
each other; or Chamberlain would
examine Melanie in nautical lore; or
together, in the evening, they would
trace the consultations in the heay'
ems. During their first week they
were in the edge of storm for
night and day; but they put into
harbor where they were comfortable
and safe, and merry as larks through
| IL all
So, day by day. Aleck hedged
Melanie about with his love. Was
she thoughtful? He let her take as
she would, his thoughts, the best he
could give from his mature expert
ence. Was she gay? He liked that
even better. and delighted TO cap her