The Springfield herald., 1913-03-14
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Aleck. on his part. had not come to
his decision suddenly or impulsively:
nor. having arrived there. was he to
be turned from 1t easily. True as It
was that he sincerely and affectionate-
ly desired Melanie Reynier for a wife.
yet on the whole he was very cool
Romeo. He was manly. but he was
calculating; he was honorably dis
posed toward matrimony. but he was
not reborn with love. And 20, In the
sober bedroom of the club, he quickly
fell into the good sleep induced by "a
tigue and healthy nerves.
Morning brought counsel and a dis
position to renew operations. A note
was dispatched to his Diana by a pri-
vate messenger. and the boy was bid
den to wait for an answer. 1t came
presently:
Come at twelve, II you wish.
"MELANIE REYNIER."
Aleck smiled with satisfaction. Here
was wise venture going through hap
PLY. he hoped. He was pleased that
she had named the very hour he had
asked for the night before. That was
like her good. frank way Of meeting q
situation. and 1t augured well for the
unknown emergencies Of their future
life. He had little patience with IT,
midity and traditional coyness in wom-
en-. and great admiration for an open
and fearless spirit. Melanie's note
almost set his heart humping.
But not quite; and no one under
stood the cool nature of that organ
better than Melanie herself. The la
dies In tho apartment at the Arch
angel had fingered at their breakfast.
the austerity of which had been miti-
gated by a center decoration Of or
chids and fern, fresh>touched with
dew; or SO Madame Reynier had de-
scribed them to Melanie. as she
brought them to her with the card of
Mr.. Loyd-Jones. Miss Reynier smiled
family, admired the blossoms and turn
ed away.
The ladies usually spoke French
with each other. though occasionally
Madame Reynier dropped into the
harsher speech of her native country.
On this morning she did this, telling
Melanie. for the tenth time In as many
days. that in her opinion they ought
to be going home. Madame consid-
cred this her duty. and felt no real
responsibility after the statement was
made. Nevertheless. she was glad to
find Melanie disposed to discuss the
matter little further.
do you wish to go home, Auntie. or
10 It that you think ought to go?"
81 don't wish to go without you.
child. you know that: and am very
comfortable here. But his Highness.
your cousin, is very impatient; l see
that in every letter from Krolvetz.
You offended him deeply by putting
of your marriage to Count Lorenzo,
and every day now deepens his indig-
nation against you. don't like to dis
cuss these things. Melanie, but sus-
pect that your action deprives him of
very necessary revenue; and un-
derstand. better than you do. to what
lengths your cousin is capable Of 60
ing when he IL displeased. You are.
by the law Of your country. his ward
until you marry. Would it.not be bet
ter to submit to him in friendship
rather than to incur his enmity? Aft
er all, he 10 your next Of kin, the head
of your family. and a very powerful
man. II We are going home at all, We
ought to go now"
"But suppose We should uecide not
to 60 home at all?"
"You will have to 20 some time. dear
child. You are all alone. except for
me, and in the nature Of things you
can't have ma alwnye Nov that vo,,
are young, you think It an easy thing
to break away from the ties Of blood
and birth: but believe me. It isn't
easy. You. with your nature, could
never do It. The call Of the land IL
strong, and the time will come when
| you will long to go home. long to go
! back to the land where your father
led his soldiers. and where your moth
| er was admired and loved"
Madame Reynier paused and watch
ed her niece. who. with eyes cast
down, was toying with with her spoon.
| Suddenly a crimson flush rose and
spread over Melanie's cheeks and fore
head and neck. and when she looked
up Into Madame Reynier's face, she
| was gazing through unshed tears.
| She rose quickly, came round to the
/ older woman's chair and kissed her
cheek affecticnately.
Dear Auntie. you are very good to
| me, and patient, too. It's all true,
suppose; but the prospect OF home
and Count Lorenzo together-ah.
well!" she smiled .reassuringly and
again caressed Madame Reynier's