The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER v.-Continued.

CHAPTER V.-Continued.
He began to be just a shade more
familiar; but she looked at him. still
curiously helpless, because she found
him strong where most men are weak
and defenseless. He caught some sort
of challenge in her attitude and in
spite OF himself trod a half step for
ward She evaded him. He
heard her laughter ripping in the hall,
and followed. Soon they were
in the crowded lift, packed In against
shirt ront and aigrette, silks and jew
els, arms and bosoms barred for the
evenings fray.
IL may be true that no gentleman is
grown In less than three generations,
but IL is not the case that 1t requires
three generations to produce an aris-
%tocrat; and here was simple and per-
feet proof of hat assertion. Head
walters make no mistakes! The head
waiter of the main hall un~hesitating-
ly took John Rawn and his companion
to as good a table as there was in the
room. He knew the air Of distinction
when he say it!
Heads, in plenty, of men and other
women, turned as they passed through
In that careless throng of the world
wise and blase. They walked by quiet
ly, simply, took their places with no
hesitation.
The two ate and drank discreetly,
eomported themselves, In fact, easily
as any of these scores of others. They
did not lean toward each other and OBJ
yiously talk secrets, they did not laugh
~uneasily and stare about. Among the
many well-bred women in that room
where at least a few such we're pres
ent-none showed an easier accus-
tomedness than Virginia Delaware.
Her eagerness, her feverish anxiety,
all now were gene. She was perfect
ly In hand. 1t VAS her pleasure now
only to prove her fitness for such a
scene, TO comport herself as though
she had known no other surroundings
than these in all her life. Once more
the miracle of possibility in the young
American woman was shown.
Rawn, discreet as his companion,
looked on with approval. You're it,"
ne once whispered acros the table, as
he bent above the menu. "You are
the part!" Suddenly there caIle to
him put OF this occasion an additional
surge of self-confidence. Yes, he said
to himself, he, too, could travel this
gait. He could step easily into this
life, the summit of life In America
as he thought--as though born to II.
He could spend money with the best.
He could obtain for himself as beauti-
full a woman to wear his jewels as any
man fsre In all this great city. He
could as widely advertise his power,
his wealth, as any of these. Did he
not see envious eyes bent upon his
companion and upon himself? IT was
done! He had won! He had sue
ceeded!
After all. Il had been easy, as he
had found SO many things easy In the
test. AS to the young woman with
him. John Rawn's cold heart went out
In admiration. by Jove!" he said,
shes a lady. that's what she is. Shed
be-" Yet 1t is to be noted that his
admiration for this young woman was
primarily based not upon the usual
impulses of men SO situated, but upon
q vast self-respect, for that he had
placed her here and SO proved his
own Judgment to be good. Some souls
are slow to any love but that OF self,
the appreciation of self being the
breath of life tc them. Even the beauty
Of Virginia D~esaware-and she was
beautiful-was swallowed up In John
Rawn's love ard admiration for him
self.
There a thus far. no suggestion
Of improperly between them. now or
later. They dined long, deliberately
and well. Miss Delaware drank no
wine. Rawn himself only abstemious-
ly. The keenest delight of the evening
felt by either came not OF food or
drink. The i~ntuxication of the city's
eight life fell upon them. entered
their souls. Distant and l~ow-voiced
musical instruments set the air athrob
with sensuous melody.
As they sat thus calmly. apparently.
a. most might have said. old habitues
Of scenes like this. apparently persons
Of wealth and distinction, Rawn felt
3nce more bent upon him the look OF
passer-by. There approached the
able where they sat the couple he
had seen earlier that evening. q state
y and beautiful young woman. whose
features now were q trife o anil
rated. whose eyes we're brighter; and