The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-01-17


The machine turned suddenly up Il
hill and glided through two iron gates;
i opening on the lawn. and the great
white chateau doomed before them III
n fash of binding beauty. Stuarr
caught his breath He shook hands
with Rivens and was shocked to find
{ him so weak
The little man held his hand with
! lingering usefulness as he looked into
| his friends strong face.
You don't know how rich you are.
Jim" he said feebly. with this hand
that grips like iron. I'd give millions
| to feel Jay heart beat like yours today
you'll get better down here" Stuart
! answered cheerfully.
I'm trying it anyhow" he said list
Iessly. Make yourself Mt home. old
boy. This house is my pride. I want
Nam to show yen every Asok and cor
ner in it. wish could trot srell~d
with you. but | east"
'As aOon as you've changed yeur
clothes" Nan said Familiarity. come
down to the library and ri show you
around"
Stuart followed the man assigned as
his valet to the electric elevator ana
in minute stepped cut OF the feurt8
aoor He observed with q smile taat
his room number was 157.
'GFne idea Of living in Il huge hotel
and calling 1t a homer hs unused. witA
grim huFner. Room 15T-Ereat Scott
Els hostess showed him first the
library. The magnificent room contained
more than 10000 volumes. bound In
hand fooled morocco.
THE funny thing, Of course." NHn
whispered. lis that Cal has never read
one of these exquisitely bound books.
why on earth did he make this
room the most stately and beautiful
bne in the houseW
Maybe he didn't!' she laughed. I'm
going to give you privilege no mere
man has ever enjoyed in this house
before-I am going to show you my
own rooms"
When the tour of inspection had been
completed 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 OF mountains.
The naasnificence OF her bedroom
was stunnins. Stuart rubbed his eyes
in amazement. She had taken herself
seriously in the creation Of this room.
and had spent round million Oh Its
ivory bedstcad. its purple and gold
velvet hangings, its wonderful cary
ings
The picture she made standing in
this wonderful room was one that
never faded from his memory. The
poise of her superb form: the fires
that smouldered in Che 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.
ct seems all dream, Man, he said
III rub my eyes and wake up direct
ly. thought your New York house a
miracle. This is fairyland.
perhaps it would be-" she said.
looking MT him moment through half
closed eyes. iii only the prince
A look Of pain unconsciously clouded
his face, and the sentence was not
finished.
On the fourth day Nan planned
coaching party to ascend Mount
Mitchell, the highest peak in the land
OF the sky. the highest point or ground
that side the Rockies. She had taken
this trip with Stuart sixteen years be.
fore. She was then but fifteen. and
he had just begun to dangle ut her
heels. She did not tell him their des-
tination.
Ehe party consisted Of half dozen
BOYS and girls whom Nan WAS chap
eroning. Stuart. the feOtInan and
coachman. The start was made at.
sunrise. The morning was glorious.
the air rich with the full breath of
southern spring,
At the foot of the FIRST hill the
coach suddenly stopped beside the
banks OF the Swannanea river.
Nan leaped to the grouRd, drew
Stuart with her to the near Of the
coach, and raised her arms.
lift me up" she cried, laughing.
Hc placed his hands under her arms
and with a lenp and cry OF laughter
she was in the empty baggage rack.
Now mp with YOU she cried
In a moment Stuart was seated snug
" by her side and the big red coach
was rolling along the old road.
"Now. sir Nan whispered, de yea
know where you are going"
Stuart nodded
"To certain peak among the clouds.
where you and l once weAt q 'tAeusand
years ago
Nan nestled little closer, or perhaps
it was the swaying Of the coach that
made him think she did, ana sSftsy
said:
.'You remember this read"