The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-12-13

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precious orchids in her two hands
fearful lest the fragile vase shoul'
fall, Melanie regarded them a mo
ment, and then said she thought the!
would do better In the drawing-room
Il sometimes think the little gardei
pink quite as pretty as an orchid"
They aren't so much in Mr., Lloyd
Jones style as these" replied Madame
heynier. She had a faculty OF com
menting pleasantly without the leas
hint Of criticism This remark de
lighted Melanie.
No; | should never picture Mr.
Lloyd-Jones as a garden pink But
then, Auntie, you remember how elo
quent he was about the hills and the
stars. That speech did not at all in
dicate a hothouse nature"
Nevertheless, think his senti
mests have been cultivated, like his
orchids"
Not a bad achievement" said Ne
lanle.
There was an interval of silence,
while the younger woman stood look
ing out Of the window and Madame
Reynier cut the leaves OF a French
journal. She did not read, however,
and presently she broke the silence
i don't remember that Mr.. Van
Camp ever sent orchids to you"
Mr.. Van Camp never gave me any
Kind Of flower. He thinks flowers are
the most intimate of all gifts, and
should only be exchanged between
sweethearts. At least, heard him ex-
pound some such theory years ago.
when we first knew him"
Madame smiled-a significant smile,
If any one had been looking. Nothing
further was said until Melanie unex-
pectedly shot straight to the mark
with:
How do you think he would do,
Auntic, in place of Count Lorenzo?"
Madame Reynier showed no sur
prise. He is a sterling man; but your
cousin would never consent to it,"
And ii | should not consult my
cousin?"
My dear Melanie, that would en-
tail many embarrassing consequences;
and embarrassments are worse than
crimes"
Melanie could laugh at that, and
did. i've already answered note
from Mr. Van Camp this morning,
Auntie. No, don't worry" she play
fully answered a sudden anxious look
that came upon her aunt's counte-
nance, I've not said yes to him. But
he's coming TO see me at twelve. II 1
don't give him a chance to say what
he has to say, he'll take one anywhere.
He's capable of proposing on the
street-cars. Besides, l have something
also to say to him"
We'll, my dear, you know best; GER
tainly l think you know best" was
Madame Reynier's last word.
Mr.. Van Camp arrived on the stroke
of twelve, an expression of happiness
on his lean, quizzical face.
I'm supposed to be starting on
cruise" he told Melanie, but luck
is with me- My cousin hasn't turned
rather he turned up only to
disappear instantly. Otherwise he
would have dragged me off to catch
the first ebb-tide, with me hanging
back like an anchor-chain."
rs your cousin, then, such a ty-
rant?"
"Oh, yes; he's masterful man, is
Jimmy"
And how did he disappear instant
ly? 1t sounds mysterious"
1T is mysterious, but Jim can take |
care of HIMSELF at least, l hope he
can The message said he had sailed
on the Jeanne Dare, whatever that |
is, and that / was to look after our
hired yacht, the Sea Gull"
Melanie looked up, startled. THE
Jeanne Dare, was it?" she cried.
Are you sure? But, of course-there
must be many boats by that name, are
there not? But did he say nothing
he was going, and why
ne changed his plans?"
mo, not a word more than that
Why? DO you know of a boat named
he Jeanne D'Arc?"
Yes, very we'll; but it can not mat
er 1t must be another vessel, sure
y Meanwhile, what are you going
o do without your companion?"
Aleck rose from the slender gilt
hair where, as usual, he had perched
himself, walked to the window and
hrust his hands into his pockets for
contemplative moment, then he
urned and came to a stand squarely
Defore Melanie, looking down on her
With his quizzical, honest eyes. '
THAT depends, Melanie," he said
lowly, upon whether you are going
0 marry me or not" {
For a second or two Melanie's eyes I
efused to lift; but Alexis Triumphant
d figure, his steady gaze, above all,
is dominating will, forced her to look {
p. There he was, smiling, strong, J
ig, kindly Melanie started to smile,
ut for the second time that morning .
er eyes Unexpectedly filled with &
ears.
Il can't talk to you towering over S
lie like that" she said at last softly, /
er smile winning against the tears. t
Aleck did not move. 81 don't want
ou to talk to- me about it; all want t
for you to say yes"
But I'm not going to say 'yes;' at a
asst don't think l am. Do sit
own"