The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-11-22

roll. Her natural assurance, however
came quickly to her aid. She had
been an acknowledged beauty too
many seasons--had known John Vail
ant, or believed she had. too long
and too well-to allow the swift keen
edge OF trepidation that had touched
her 10 cool into prescience.
In another moment the waltz faint
ed out. to be succeeded by a deux-
temps. and presently the host, In his
crimson cloak. was dofflng his plumed
hat before her. Circling the polished
floor In the maze, there was some
thing gratefully like former days In
the assured touch. the true and ready
guidance. The intrusive question
faded. He was the John Valiant she
had always known, of flashing repair
tee and graceful compliment. yet with
touch of dignity, too--as befitted the
lord OF a manor-which sat we'll upon
him. After decorous dozen OF
rounds. she took his arm and allowed
her perfect figure TO be conducted
through the various rooms OF the
ground floor. chatting in quite the old
time way. TIL new gallant claimed
her.
The mellow strings made on their
merry tune, and at length the Wash
ington Post marched all In flushed
unity OF purpose to the great muslin
walled porch with It's array OF tables
Aunt Daphne for the delectation OF
the palate-weary: layer-cakes. furry
brown with chocolate. or saffron with
orange icing; fruit-cake richer than
an Indian begun: angei-cake as white
(as the major was to remark) as In
nocence and almost as sweet as the
lady upon whom he pressed II at the
moment! yellow jumbles, kisses that
crumbled at a touch. and all name
less toothsome inventions for which
new-laid eggs are beaten and golden
citron sliced.
And then once more the waltz-strain
supervened and In the yellow parlor
Joy was again unconflned Among
the masculine contingent. perhaps,
the same catholicity OF age no longer
prevailed, certain OF the elders show
ing an inclination toward one end OF
the front porch. now hazing with the
fragrance OF Havanas. But the dow
ayers fans piled on. the rose-corners
echoed their light laughter and the
couples footed 1t as though midnight
was yet unreached and dawn as far
af1eld as Judgment Day.
Again Valiant claimed Katharine
and they glided of on THE Beautiful
Blue Danube" Her paleness now
had a tinge OF color but nevertheless
he thought she dropped. You are
tired he said. "shan't we sit 1t out ?"
"Oh. do you mind?" she responded
gratefully. 1T has been fairly
strenuous day, hasn't it,"
He guided her to a corridor. where
branches Of rhododendron screened
an alcove OF settees and seductive
cushions. Here. her WEAKNESS seemed
put to rout. There was no dropping
OF fringed lids. no disconcerting ST.
lences: she chartered with ease and
piquancy.
TITS like fairy tale" she said at
length dreamily-"this wonderful life.
To step into II from New York Is
like coming out Of a dollhouse into
the spring out-of-doors! II makes our
city existence seem so sordidly artifi-
cial. You have chosen right"
IT know II. And yet two months
ago life hundred miles from the
avenue would have seemed a sad
and sandy Sahara. know better
now"
81 have been listening to paeans
all the evening"" she said And you
deserve them. It's fine big thing
this old estate. And I know. you have
even bigger plans. too
He nodded. suddenly serious and
thoughtful. There's lot I'd like
TO do. It's not only the house and
grounds. There are . other things.
For instance. back on the mountain
ON my own lands a settlement
they call s-Half-Acre. Probably
II has we'll earned the name. It's a
wretched collection OF novels and
surly men and drabs of women and
unkempt children. the poorest OF
poor whites. Not one OF them can
read or write. and they live like anil
mails. n I'm ever able. I mean TO put
a Misunderstanding school up there.
And then"
He ended with a half laugh. sud
denly conscious that he was talking
In a language she would scarcely I'M
derstand-in fact, in a tongue new to
himself. But there was no smile on
her lips and her extraordinary eyes
cool gray. shot through with emerald
were looking into his with a frank
ness and sympathy he would not have
guesyed lay beneath her glacial placid.
ity.
To Katharine. indeed, II made little
difference what philanthropic fads
the man she had chosen might affect
as regarded his tenantry. Ambitions
like these had q immortal flavor that
did not displease her. And the Fargo
millions would bear much harmless
hammering. A change. subtle and In
communicable. passed over her.
II shall think OF you" she sighed
as working on in this splendid pro-
gram. For It Il splendid. But New
York Will miss you. John.
"Ah, no. I've no delusions on that
score. ! dare say I'm almost forgot
ten there already. Here I have
place"
Her head, leaned back against the
cushion. turned toward him, the pale
orchids trembling on her bosom-she
was so near that he could feel her
breath on his cheek A new waltz
had begun to sigh It's dangerous meas
ures.
place." she Queried. DO YOU
think you had no place there? Is II
possible that you do not understand
that your going has left--a void?"
Ho Looked nj hor suddarIv ..a -