The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-07

evening meal than they had had be-
fore, an hour, perhaps, was passed
in the room which the architect called
the library, Mrs. Rawn called the par
lor, and Mr.. Rawn called the gold
room. Then Laura Rawn, as was her
wont, passed silently upstairs to her
own apartments-or her bedroom, as
she called 1t-widely removed, in the
architects plans, from those of her
husband One room, one couch, had
served for both in Kelly Row.
In appearance Virginia Delaware
might have won approval from a clos
er critic than John Rawn. Her face
really was almost classical in its
lines, her poise and dignity now might
have been that of some young, clean
limbed wood-goddess Of old. She al
| ways seemed unfit for humdrum du-
ties.
"We have some letters this morn
ing, Miss Delaware" began Rawn.
"You couldn't quite take care of them
| all, eh?'
"We handled all we could, Mr..
Rawn. l have referred a large num-
Der to proper department heads, and
answered quite number. 1t seemed
better to refer these for your own &C
| ton"
Business growing. eh?" said Rawn,
turning around to his desk. The girls
! reply was just properly enthusiastic
| for the business:
"It's wonderful the mail we get.
| Inquiries come from all over the coun-
try. Yes, indeed, it seems to grow"
81 was about to say, Miss Della
| ware" Rawn answered, that I am,
as you know, a very busy man"
eyes, sir" she said, evenly and i'm
personally.
81 have 80 many things to do, you
see, that l don't get much time to
attend to little things outside OF my
business. A mans business is a mill
stone around his neck, Miss Della
e.
are little better than slaves"
eyes, Mr.. Rawn," she said gently.
81 can understand that"
For instance, l don't even know,
as long as 1 have been here in Chi
cago, the names of the best firms Of
decorators, house furnishers, that sort
of thing"
Does Mrs. Rawn get about very
much, sir?"
Mrs. Rawn unfortunately is not
very well. Also she has the habit Of
delaying in such matters. Then, as
don't myself have the time to take
care of everything why, you see
Her eyebrows were a trife raised
by now.
SO was just wondering whether
couldn't avail myself of your-your
very possible knowledge of these
stores-shops, l mean"
"Of course, Mr.. Rawn, I'd be willing
to do anything I could" she saiG II
know the city pretty well, having lived
here for some time. If you would
rather have me use my time in that
way, it would be a great pleasure.
like nice things myself, though Of
course I could never have them. I've
lust had to fatten my nose against
he window-pane! But what is the
color scheme, Mr.. Rawr?"
About everything the confounded
builders and decorators could think
Of" said Rawn frankly. Il think they
called it a gray-and-silver motive. l
know there's something in white, with
dark red for the doors and facings."
Miss Delaware sat for moment, a
nencil against her lip, engaged in
thought
Certainly, Mr.. Rawn I'll be very
,lad to do it, if l can be spared from
The Office"
That's all, Miss Delaware"
She passed out gently, impersonally.
Rawn found himself looking at the
door where she had vanished.
1t was perhaps an hour later that
he re-opened the door himself in an
swer to a knock Miss Delaware stood
respectfully waiting. There is man
from Jansens waiting for you, Mr..
Rawn." said she.
Tell him 10 come in," said Rawn.
There rose from nearby seat gray
HI ired, grave and slender man, Of sad
denica nor, Who presently removed
from lis pocket aaJ spread out upon
the glass top Of John Rawn's desk
such a display Of gems as set the
whole room aquiver with light Rawn
felt his own eyes shine, his own soul
leap. There always was something IN
diamonds which spoke to him.
"Ah-hum." said he, feigning indlf-
ference, some pretty good ones, eh?'
He poked around among them with
the end Of his penholder, as the
gray and grave man quietly opened
one paper package after another, and
exposed his wares.
John Rawn reached out and pushed
| the button farthest to the right IN the