The Detroit times., 1912-03-28
THE IN
STOLEN ~
SINGER Nv !.
A GREAT SERIAL STORY By ~
MARTHA BELLINGER : 4 MI

WOWeN, ana bItdt
open and fearless spirit, Melahles
note almost set his heart humping
But not quite: and no one uhuei
stood the cool nature OF that orsan
better than Melanie herse1. Inc !"
dies in the apartment at the Archah
gel had fingered al their breakfast, the
austerty of which had been mlugiu
ed by a center decoration OF orchtos
and fern, fresh-touched with dew; oI
so Madame Reynier had described
Them 10 Maianie, as she brought them
TO her with the card OF Mr. Lloyd
Jones. Miss Reynier smiled family,
admired the blossoms and turned
away
The ladies' usually spoke French
with each other. though occasionally
Madame Reynier dropped into the
harsher speech OF her native coun-
try. on this morning she did this'
telling Melanie. for the tenth time III
as many days. that in her opinion
they ought TO be going home. Mad
anne considered this her duty. and felt
no real responsibility after the state
ment was made. Nevertheless, she
was glad TO find Melanie disposed 10
discuss the matter little further.
DO YOU wish 10 go home, Auntie,
or is it that you think ought TO go!
Il don't wish TO go without you,
child, YOU know that; and am very
comfortable here. But his Highness,
your cousin. is very impatient; ] see
that in every letter from Krolvetz.
You offended him deeply by putting
off your marriage TO Count Lorenzo,
and every day now deepens his indig.
milton asainst- yeH-f don't like TO
discuss these things, Melanie, but |
suspect that your action deprHes MIN
OF a very necessary revenue; and l
understand. better than you do, 10
what lengths your cousin is capable
OF going when he Is displeased. You
are by the law OF your country, MS
ward until you marry. Would II not
be better to submit TO him In frienc-
ship, rather than TO incur his enmity!
after all, he is your next OF kin, the
head OF your family, and very power
full man. II we are going home at all,
we ought to go now.
But suppose we should decide not
to 60 home at alp
"You will have to go some time,
dear child. You are all alone. except
for me, and in the nature or things
you can't have me always. Now that
you are young you think it an easy
thing 10 break away from the ties
OF blood and birth: but believe me, ~
isn't easy. You, with your nature
could never do 1t. The call OF tne
land IS strong and the time will CO.
when you will long to go home. long
TO go back 10 the land where your
father led his soldiers, and where
your mother was admired and loved.
Madame Reynier paused and watch
ed her niece, who, with eyes cast
down. was toying with her spooHr
Suddenly crimson flush rose and
spread over Melanie's cheeks and fore
head and neck, and when she looked
up into Madame Reynier's face, she
was gazing through unshed tears. She
rose quickly, came round to the older
woman's chair and kissed her cheek
affectionately.
Dear Auntie, you are very good 20
me, and patient, too. It's all true, !
suppose; but the prospect OF home
and Count Lorenzo together--ah,
we'll" she smiled reassuringly and
again earessed Madame Reynier's
gaunt old face. I'll think 1t all over.
Auntie dear
Madame Reynier followed Melanie
into her sitting-room, bringing the pre-
cious orchids in her two hands, fear
full lest the fragile vase should fall.
Melanie regarded them a moment. and
then said she thought they would do
better in the drawing-room.
I II sometimes think the little garden
pink quite as pretty as an orchid
They aren't so much In Mr.. Lloyd
Jones style as these" replied Madame
Reynier. She had a faculty OF com.
menting pleasantly without the least
hint of criticism. This remark de
lighted Meianfe.
No; No; shotfd never picture Mr.
Lloyd-Jones as a garden pink. But
them Auntie, you remember how elo
quent he was about the hills and the
stars. That speech did not at all indi
cate hothouse nature"
Nevertheless. think his senti
ments have been cultivated, like his
orchids"
Not a bad achievement" said Me
/, LAME.
There was an interval of silence
while the younger woman stood look
ing out OF the window and Madame
Reynier cut the leaves of French
journal. She did not read. however
: and presently she broke the silence
. II don't remember that Mr.. Van Cam
, ever sent orchids to you"
/ (To Be continued.)