The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-01-17
CHAPTER XII.
seeIna the Rainbow.

a Few days on yacht, with calm
sea and suncooled weather, may be
something like a century Of bliss for
pair OF lovers, II they happen to
have taken the lucky hour. The con-
vcntions of yacht life allow a com
panionship from dawn till dark, II
they choose to have II; there is a
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 off 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 a
solitude deux with Melanie.
They could not have had a 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
if not suitor of the young
er woman but certain IT was, that, If
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 Sea
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
'isits ashore here and there, though
lot many. AS they grew to feel more
It home on the yacht, the more re.
uctant they were to spend their time |
IN land Why have dust and noise
nd elbowing people, when they |
night be cutting through the blue /
taters with the wind fresh in their
aces? The weather was perfect; the
hrall Of the sea was upon them
The roses came into Melanie's
heeks and she forgot all about the
Professional advice which she had
cen at such pains to procure in New
'oTk There was happiness in her
yes when she looked on her lover,
ven though she had repulsed him
S for Mr.. Chamberlain, he breathed
le very air of content. Madame Rey-
ier, with her inscrutable grand man
er, confessed that she had never be-
IRE been able precisely to locate Bos-
N, and now that she had seen it, she
1t much better. Even Alexis lean
llk seemed to expand and flourish
the atmosphere Of happiness about
m. His sudden venture was a sue
,ss, beyond doubt. The party had
erry hours, many others full of a
liet pleasure, none that were heavy
uneasy. /
If Alexis outer man prospered in
is unexpected excursion, it can
lly be said that his spiritual self
,wered with a new and hitherto un- '
lown beauty II was late flower
g, possibly-though what are thirty
ur years to Infinity?-but there was
it richness and delicacy which
is its own distinction and won its t
N reward C
Melanie's words, spoken in their o
lg interview in the New York home, Il
d contained an element of truth. a
Iere was poignant sincerity in her L
ying, You do not love me enough" p
itch touched Aleck to the center of e'
, being. He was not niggardly by cl
ture and had he given stintingly si
his affection to this woman who ct
S to him the best? His whole ma n
e shrank from such a role, even
lie he dimly perceived that he had G.
en- guilty of acting it. If he had OF
an small in his gift of love, it was W
cause he had been the dupe Of his nc
'ories; he had forsworn gallantry m
ward women, and had unwittingiy al
It aside warmth Of affection also. an
(TO BE CONTINUED.) m
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