Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-04-18

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black. with gaunt. aristocratic FED
lures and great directness Of speech
She had the fine kind Of hauteur whicl
forbids persons Of this type ever Il
speak Of money. OF disease. Of scan
dial. or Of too intimate personalities
In Madame Reynier's case II also re
strained her from every sort OF exas
gerated speech. She spoke Englisl
with some difficulty and preferre,
French.
Van Camp seated himself ON spin
dle-legged, gilt chair by Madame Rey
nier's side. and begged to know how
they were enduring the New York eli
mate. which had formerly proved in
tolerable to Madame Reynier. As h
seated himself she stretched out saw
ing hands.
Il can endure the climate. thanh
you; but l can't endure to see you
life endangered On that silly chair, my
dear Mr.. Van Camp. There-thanl
you" And when he was seated in I
solid mahogany, he was rewarded will
Madame Reynier's confidential chat
They had returned to their New Yorl
apartment In the midst Of the summer
season. abe said, for professional ad
vice" She and her niece liked the
city and never minded the heat Me
LAME. her aunt explained. had beer
enabled to see several old friends, and
for her own part, she liked home a
any time Of the year better than the
most comfortable Of hotels.
This IL quite like home" she add
ed. even though We are really or
lies" Alsck vsntured to hope that
the professional advincs" had no'
meant serious trouble OF any sort
"A slight indispoEtion Only"
"AAd are you much better now?'
Alsck inquired solicitously.
"Oh, 1t wasn't i; It was Nclanie.'
Madame smiled. II became my own
physician many years ago. and now
never zee q doctor except when we
ask one to dine. But youth has no
such advantage" Madame fairly
beamed with benevolence while sx-
planning one Of her pet idiosyncrasies.
Before Aleck could make any headway
in cleaning information concerning
her own and Melanie's movements. as
he was shamefully trying to do. Lloyd
Jones had persuaded Miss Reynier to
sing.
Some of those quaint old things,
please" he was saying; and Aleck
wondered II he never would hang HIM
self with his own rope. But Lloyd
Jones cheerful voice went on:
Some Of those Hungarian things
are jolly and funny. even though you
can't understand the words. Makes
you want to dance or sing yourself"
Aleck groaned, but Melanie began to
sing, with Jones lowering around the
piano. BY the time Nelanie had sung
everybody's favorites, excluding
Alexis, Mr.. Chamberlain rose to do
part. He was an Enslishman. q -
rious, heavy gentleman. very loyal to
old friends and very slow in making
new ones. He made an engagement
to dine with Aleck on the following
evening. and, as he went cut, threw
back to the remaining gentlemen an
offer Of seats In his machine.
81 ought to CO." said Jones: but If
Van Camp will stay, will That H."
he added with belated punctiliousness,
"if the ladies will permit?
Thank you, Chamberlain. rm walk
Ing" drawled Aleck; then turning to
the company with his cheeful grin he
stated quite impersonally: Il was
thinking of staying long enough to
put one question-er. matter OF some
little importance-to Miss Reynier.
When she gives me the desired infor-
nation, 1 shall 60"
me, too" chirped Mr.. Lloyd-Jones.
81 came expressly to talk over that
plan Of building up friendly adjoining
estates out in Idaho; sort Of private
shooting and hunting park, you know.
And haven't had minute to say
word" Jones suddenly began to feel
himself aggrieved. As the door closed
after Chamberlain, Melanie motioned
them back to their seats.
Its not so very late" she said cas-
lily. Come back and make your
selves comfortable, and I'll listen to
both of you." she said with demure
little devil in her eye. Il haven't
seen you for ages, end don't know
when the good moment will come
again" She included the two men In
q friendly smile. waved hand toward
the waiting chairs. and adjusted a
light shawl over the shoulders Of Ma
dame Reynier.
But Aleck by this time had the bit
IN his teeth and would not be coaxed
His ordinarily cool eye rested wrath,
July on the broad shoulders Of Mr..
who was lighting a ck
sarette, and he turned abruptly to
Miss Reynier. His voice was as Be-
'ious as If parliament at least, had
been hanging on his words.
MAY call tomorrow. Miss Reynier.
It about twelve?"
"Oh, l say" put in Jones, "all Of you
,ome to luncheon with me at the Lit
lie Gray Fox-will you? Capital place
md all sorts of nice people. Do come.
about one"
Van Camp could have slain him
mo mn .C0NyTTNyTrEnl