Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1913-02-01

I 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 Melanie.
No; / should never picture Mr..
Lloy6Jones 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
dictate dollhouse nature"
Nevertheless, think his senti-
ments have been cultivated, like his
| orchids"
Not 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 a French
journal. She did not read, however,
and presently she broke the silence
Il 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,
II 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.
Auntie, in place of Count Lorenzo?"
Madame Reynier showed no sur
prise. He is sterling man; but your
cousin would never consent to It,"
And IL l 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 a 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, 1--WE not said yes to him. But
he's coming to see me at twelve. II
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
streetcars. Besides, have something
also to say to him."
We'll, my dear, you know best; GER
tainly | 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 a
cruise" he told Melanie, but luck
is with me. My cousin hasn't turned
up-or 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 a masterful man. is
! Jimmy"
And how did he disappear instant
lye' It sounds mysterious"
ut 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 I 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
more-where he was going, and why
he changed his plans?"
mo, not word more than that
Why? Do you know of a boat named
the Jeanne D'Arc?"
Eyes, very well; but 1t can not mat
ter. 1t must be another vessel, sure
ly. Meanwhile, what are you going
to do without your companion?"
Aleck rose from the slender gilt
chair where, as usual, he had perched
himself, walked to the window and
thrust his hands into his pockets fol-
a contemplative moment, then he
turned and came to a stand squarely
, before Melanie, looking down on hel
!. with his quizzical. honest eyes.
THAT depends, Melanie," he sale
slowly, upon whether you are goins
to marry me or not"
For a second or two Melanie's eyes
refused to lift; but Alexis Triumphant
ed figure, his steady gaze. above all
] his dominating will, forced her to lool
up. There he was. smiling, strong
big, kindly. Melanie started to smile
but for the second time that morninf
ner eyes Unexpectedly filed with
/, tears.
II can't talk to you towering ovel
me like that" she said at last softly
her smile winning against the tears.
Aleck did not move. II don't wan
you to talk to- me about Il; all wan
Il for you to say yea"