The state herald., 1913-05-23
CHAPTER XII.
seelno the Rainbow.


A few days on yacht, with calm
sea and suncooled weather. may be
something like century Of bliss for
a pair of lovers. If they happen to
have taken the lucky hour. The con-
ventions Of yacht life allow COM
panionship from dawn till dark. II
they choose to have It; there Ia
limited amount of outside distraction;
II the girl be an outdoor lass. she
looks all the sweeter for the wind
rumpling her hair; and on shipboard,
II anywhere, mental resourcefulness
and good temper achieve their full re-
ward.
Aleck had been more crafty than
he knew when he carried Melanie and
Madame Reynier of on the Sea Gull.
Almost at the last moment Mr.. Cham
berlain had joined them, Alexis lik-
ing for the man and his instinct Of
hospitality overcoming his desire for
something as near as possible to q
solitude deux with Melanie.
They could not have had better
companion. Mr.. Chamberlain was
nothing less than perfect in his posi-
tion as companion and guest. He en-
joyed Madame Reynier's grand duch-
ess manners, and spared himself no
trouble to entertain both Madame Rey-
nier and Melanie. He was a hearty
ndmirer, II not a suitor of the young
er woman; but certain 1t was, that, II
he ever had entertained personal
hopes In regard to her. he buried
them In the depths OF his heart by
the end of their first day on the Sen
Gull. He understood Alexis position
with regard to Melanie without being
told. and instantly brought all his 10y
atty and courtesy into his friends
service.
Madame Reynier had an interest In
seeing the smaller towns and cities of
America: something besides the
show places" she said. So they made
visits ashore here and there. though
not many. AS they grew to feel more
at home on the yacht, the more re-
, luctant they were to spend their time
on land. Why have dust and noise
and elbowing people. when they
might be cutting through the blue
waters with the wind fresh in their
facesY The weather was perfect: the
thrall Of the sea was upon them.
The roses came into Melanies
cheeks and she forgot all about tine
professional advice which she had
| afna To ttN n
York There was happiness In her
eyes when she looked on her lover
even though she had repulsed him
As for Mr.. Chamberlain. he breathet
| the very mir of content. Madame Rey
nicr. with her inscrutable grand man
ner. confessed that she had never be
fore been able precisely to locate Bos
ton. and now that she had seen II. she
felt much better. Even Alexis lear
bulk seemed to expand and flourish
In the atmosphere of happiness abou
him. His sudden venture was a sue
cess. beyond doubt. The party hat
merry hours, many others full Of {
quiet pleasure. none that were heav,
or uneasy.
II Alexis outer man prospercd II
this unexpected excursion. II car
only be said that his spiritual sell
fiowered with a new and hitherto un
known beauty. II was late flower
Ing. possibly-though what are thirty
four years to lnfinity7-but there wal
In It a richness and dellcacy which
was It's own distinction and won III
own reward.
Melanie's words, spoken In theii
long interview in the New York home
had contained m element OF truth
There was n poignant sincerity In hel
saying. You do not love me enough.
which touched Aleck to the center o
his being. He was not niggardly b,
nature: and had he given stintingi,
OF his affection to this woman who
was to him the best7 His whole M
ture shrank from such role, ever
while he dimly perceived that he hnt
been guilty of acting H. II he hs,
been small In his gift OF love. II wal
because he had been the dupe OF hi
theories: he had forsworn gallantr,
toward women. and had unwittingi,
cast aside warmth OF affection also.
| .sf,...