New-York tribune., 1912-02-04
BY EDITH MACVANE

| will not deny my heart gave Jump that nearly
srfocated me. At last the moment had come!
"I think" he said, smiling he held out his hand,
"that nv mother has sent me to look for you.
All Victor After all the telegraphing and the schem-
ing, and the arguing here we are together at last!
did not say this aloud, however, merely leaned down
from the limousine wOndOw and gave him my hand.
"How do you do, Monsieur Victor began to say;
but if YOU will believe me- my voice died away like
Portals when she makes the responses in church. |
don't know why it was, but those blue eyes seemed to
run through me and leave me hiding place even in
the inside Of my soul How different they were from
the miniature those cyesunlike and like at the same
timel Their color and shape, much the artist had
caught but in the foolish little miniature what sim
per like smirking boulevarder, and in the living eyes,
what fire. what force, what kindness.
This impression, however, was all in the flash OF a
moment. Naturally, could not remain staring like an
imbecile: 50 | inquired as politely as | could
$50 your mother arrived home safely!
"YcS and sent me off at to look for you. Heav-
ems. it was a shameful trick leaving you alone like
this What will YOU think Of our Bar Harbor hospi-
taitv?"
He seemed quite outraged at the way had been
treated 1t delicious to see anyone 50 big and
strong angry like this for my sake II made me feel
taken care Of and protected, somehow, as had not
since my dear papa died. Oh, decidedly he what
Papa would have called chic type" this Victor!
However, laughed and said, ut was my fault; for
| offered to wait And you see there's no harm done:
YOU found me- after all.
"Ycs he answered; though it seemed rather dcS-
peratc task-n real Bar Harbor fog, to be search
a
my mother described you 10 me-
/ could not help laughing. "And she described you
70 met"
Il knew YOU had black eyes" he cried.
And knew" cried |, that your eyes were blue"
Then as met the glance Of those bright blue eyes,
| realized how strange, how bold, thing had said.
What would he think OF me, Even to hanCG one does
not say such things at first interview | felt myself
distinguishing red, bluShing crimson blushng fire!
But how kind he was, Victor and what a man Of the
world Instead Of laughing at me, or paying me silly
compliments as the young men did on the boat he
merely opened the limousine door.
And now" he said, Il am going TO take YOU home.
will leave my man here 70 take charge OF the limousine
until the mcChanican comes back. As for the maids
they can wait with him. VIII YOU Gomez"
hcSltated. The gray racing machine looked so rak
h and dangerous somehow, with its long low lines and
its places for Just two To 90 off this way, alone with
a Young in the fog and gathering night-what
would my Aunt Elizabeth, what would my Aunt Fe
lict6, say to that?
come, please. Surely you don't want to stay here
to starvc and catch cold in the fog?
lis voice. though so gentle, had a commanding note
IL in it that made me feel like a child. How old was
hc3 \ little older, perhaps, than had thought from
his picture. 1t was his new muStache, perhaps, that
added a year Still, thirty the utmost age
that could be given hm,So much younger, after ALL
than Aunt Elizabeth who always stirred me up to a
wicked sort of rebellion when she gave me her COM
mandS. But when Victor said Come" it seemed like
Papa saying it, and went.
lie helped me into the rakiSh low seat of the racing
car and tucked the robe about my feet The wind had
loosened my hair that it blew in little wet curS about
my face-so untidy. put up my hand to push it back
under my veil; but Victor looked up sharply at me-
NO" he said. LET stay like that Really it was
ridiculous the way, when he said thing it didn't seem
possible to do anything else! The thought ran through
my mind, Very convenient, too, in a husband.
After arranging all comfortable in my seat, Victor
turned back give few last directions his chauffeur
and oreassure poor old shifting Genevieve and the growl
ing massage He spoke French so nicely after
all the fearful gibbcrish hears in America, it was
quite a delight to hear him. Then, as he stood mo-
mcnt more by the limousine, talking with his man,
u SurNln n hln