The Yale expositor., 1913-04-17
cHAPrER xI.-Lccntlnuedl

CHAPTER XI.-(Ccntinued)
When he turned into Van Ness ave-
nue. the Ryan house was one block
beyond him, n conglomerate white
mass. like a crumbling wedding cake
slowly settling on a green lawn. He
surveyed it as he approached, noting
its ugliness with a musing satisfac-
ton Its size and the bright summary
perfection of surrounding grass and
flower beds lent it impressiveness and
redeemed it from the position Of a
colossal blight on the prospect TO
which architect and builder had done
their best 70 relegate it, Prosperity,
a complacent, overwhelming prospect
ty, was suggested not only by its bulk
but by the state Of studied finish and
neatness that marked mansion and
grounds. There did not seem 10 be q
willing flower bed or withered leaf left
on a single stalk in the garden Dor
ders. Every window-pane cleaned
like a mirror innocent of dust or
blemishing spot The marble steps up
which Cannon mounted were as snow
fly unsullied as though no foot had
passed over them since their last abb
luton.
The door was opened by a China
man. who, taking the visitors card,
left him standing in the hall, and, deaf
to mis- queries as to where he should
30, eerenely mounted the stairs Can
non hesitated a moment, then hearing
a sound OF voices to his right, entered
the anteroom that gave on that suite
of apartments into which Dominick
had walked on the night OF the bail
They were softly lit by the afternoon
sun filtering through thin draperies
and extended in pale, gilt-touched
vista to the shining emptiness of the
ballroom. The old man was advanc
ing toward tie voices when he sud
denly saw whence they proceeded and
stopped. In the room just beyond hin
CCrnelia Ryan and young man were
sitting on a small. empire sofa, theiI
figures thrown cut in high relic
against the background of silk-covereC
wall. Cornelias red head was il
close proximity to that of her com
panion, which the intruder saw to b.
clothed with thatch OF sleek blacl
hair, and which he recognized as az
pertaining to a young man whose ia
Their had once been shift boss on tn
Rey del Monte, and who bore the pat
ronymic Of Duffy.
Cornelia and Jack Duffy had tn
appearance of being completely er
crossed in each others society. il
his moment OF unobserved survey
Cannon had time to note the youn
woman's air of bashful, pleased en-
barrassment and the gentleman's e2
preston of that tense, unsmilin
earnestness which attends the deli'
cry OF sentimental passages. Cornell
was looking down, and her fiamin
hair and the rosy tones of her fac'
shading from the faintest OF pearl
pinks to deepening degrees OF cora
we're luminously vivid against the fis
surface OF cream colored wall benin
her. and beside the black poll an
thin. dark cheek of her companion
That something very tender was afot
was quickly seen by the visitor, WI
softly withdrew, stepping gingerl
over the fur rugs. and gaining the e.
trance TO the hall with sensation
hurTicd alarm.
An open door just opposite offert
a refuge, and. passing through 1t vii
a forward questing glance alert Il
other occupants who might resent
trusion. the old man entered sms
reception-room lit by the glow OF
hard. coal fire. The room was differe
in furnishings and style from those
had left. II had the austere blea
ness Of aspect resultant from a coml
nation of bare white walls and lar
pieces of furniture OF black wo'
upon which gold lines were traced
ornamental squares. An oldfas
toned carpet was on the floor, and 81
eral tufted arm-chairs, begirt wi
dangling fringes, were drawn up
ciably before the fire. This burn
cheerily. a red focus OF heat barr
nv the stripes of CRATE, and 81
mounted by chastely severe VIII
marble mantelpiece. He had been
the room often before and knew 1T
Mrs. Ryan's own particular sanctu
When a celebrated decorator had be