The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-15
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 sThe idea or living in huge hotel and calling it home!' he unused, with grim humor. ''Room 157-great Scott" His hostess showed him first the library. The magnificent room contained more than 10000 volumes, bound in hand tooled morocco. e.
 'sThe funny thing, of course," Nan whispered. ''is that Gal has never read one of these sxquisitely bound books" why on earth did he make this room tke most stately and beautiful one in the house?''
 Maybe he didn'tr' she laughed. "rm gofng to give Sea q privilege no mere man has ever enjoyed in this house beforeI am going sok show you my own rooms" s
 When the tour of inspection had been compIated she led him to her own suit, which was located in the southwestern corner, overlooking the magnificent formal gardens with their artificial lake, fountains, statuary and wilder ness of flowers, and farther on over the beautiful valleys of the Savanna noa and the French Broad rivers Be- yond the river valleys rose range after range 0z mountains
 The magnihcence of her bedroom was stunning Stuart rubbed his eyes I'm amusement She had taken herself seriously in the creation of this room, and had spent a round million on its ivory bedstead, its purple and gold velvet hangings, it's wonderful carv- ings-
 The picture she made standing in this wonderful room was one that never faded from his memory. The boise of her superb form; the fires that smouldered in the depths of her eyes: the tenderness with which her senses seemed to drink in the daring luxury; the smile that played about her lips, joyous, sensuous, cruel!
 sTf seems all a dream, Nan, '' he said. ~Tn rub my eyes and wake up direct ly. I thought your New York house a miracle. This is fafryland."
 Perhaps it would be-" she said, looking at him a moment through half closed eyes, &'if only the prince''- A lock of pain unconsciously cIeuded his face. and the sentence was not finished.
 On the fourth day Nan planned q coaching party to ascend Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the land of the sky, the highest point of ground that side the Rockies. She had taken this trip with Etsart sixteen years be- fore She was then but fifteen, and he had inst begun to dangle at her heels. She did not tell him their des- tfnation.
 The party consisted Of half dozen boys and girls whom Nan was chap eroning, Stuart, the footman and eoachman. The start was made al
 
 the air rioh with the full breath of a southern spring
 At the foot of the first hill the coach suddenly stopped beside the banks of the Swannanoa river.
 Nan leaped to the ground, drew Stuart with her to the rear of the e6aeh, and raised her arms.
 Lift me up,'' she cried, laughing. He placed his hands under her arms and with leap and cry of laughter she was in the empty baggage rack. Nov up with you!' she cried.
 Tn a moment Stuart was seated snug ly by her side and the big red coacf was rolling along the old road ft.New, sir.'' Nan whispered, 'do you know where you are going?"
 Stuart nodded.
 ITO a certain peak among the clouds WACAC JO0 0AAA OA@~S 'sN-~ ~~ ~-~C $~@~~-~- years ago"
 Nan nestled a little closer, or perhap: 1t was the swaying of the coach tha made him think she did, and softly said:
 You remember this road?''
 ~Pve seen it a hundred times in my dreams since that wonderful day winds along the banks of the Swan nanoa for twenty miles, always climb ing higher and higher until the rive becomes a limpfd trout stream. w stop at the old roadhouse, stay al night and next morning take the bridl' path with the funny pack horses ant climb to the first mountain top, stii following the little stream"
 "Fine, Jimmy, fne!'' she cried, witt girIish mockery. Your geography les son was perfect! You can walk hom with me after school"
 Stuart looked at her and broke int a laugh. Again they were boy and girl and the only change he could see wa that she was more splendidly beautiful at tbirty-one than she had ever prom ised to be at fifteen.
 You remember how shocked vol were in this same seat, Jim, that da. in the sweet long ago when tue oi' coach threw me into your arms?
 'sYes. felt that I was taking mea1 advantage of you"
 ssI thought you were an awful foo not to accept more gracefully ant thankfully the providence which threS pretty girl your way
 The coach gave a sudden lureh an threw her into Stuart's arms again.
 And now:' he cried laughingly q he held her firmly for a moment t prevent her falling.
 She blushed furiously, threw the ring -ets of dark hair from her face an