The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1913-01-24

1uey aren I 30 ucn In MT. o
Jones style as these" replied Madam,
Reynier. She had a faculty Of com
menting pleasantly without the leas
hint OF criticism. This remark de
lighted Melanie.
NO; should never picture Mr.
Lioyd-Jones as a garden pink. Blu
then, Auntie. you remember how elo
quent he was about the hills and thu
stars. That speech did not at all In
dicate a dollhouse nature"
nevertheless, I think his senti
ments have been cultivated, like hi!
orchids"
Not a 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
L don't remember that Mr.. Van
Camp ever tent orchids to YOU"
MIR. Van Camp never gave me any
] or flower. He thinks flowers are
the most Intimate OF all gifts, and
should only be exchanged between
s~weethearts. At least, l 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 a sterling man; but your
cousin would never consent to it."
And IL ! should not consult my
c~ousin?"
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, I've not said yes TO him. But
he's coming to see me at twelve. il !
don't give him a chance to say what
he has to say, he'll take n anywhere.
He's capable of proposing on the
street-cars. 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 of to catch
the first ebb-tide. with me hanging
back like IN a~nchor-chain."
rs your cousin. then. such a ty-
rant?"
"oh. yes; he's a masterful man. is
Jimmy"
And how did he disappear instant
lyr II sounds mysterious"
at is mysterious, but Jim can take
care of himself; at least, I hope he
can. The message said he had sailed
on the Jeanne dare. whatever that
ia, and that ! was to look after our
hired yacht. the Sea Gull"
Melanie looked up. startled. THE
Jeanne dare. was lit" 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 q word more than that
Why? Do you know Of a boat named
the Jeanne D'Arcf"
Eyes, very well: but It can not mat
ter. II must be another vessel, sure
ly. Meanwhile. what are you going
to do without your companion"
Aleck rose from the slender gill
chair where. as usual, he had perched
himself, walked to the window and
thrust his hands into his pockets FOL
q contemplative moment, then be
turned and came to q stand squarely
before Melanie. looking down on heI
with his quizsical. honest eyes.
THAT depends, Melanie." he said
slowly, upon whether you r goinl
TO marry me or not"
For q second or two Melanie's eyei
refused to lift; but Alexis Triumphant
cd fguye, 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 morning
her eyes Unexpectedly filled with
tears.
II cant 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 70 talk TO- me about II; all ! wan
Il Tor you 10 say 'yes."