The state herald., 1913-04-18

4 They aren't so much in Mr.. Lloyd
Jones' style as these" replied Madame
Reynier. She had faculty of COM
menting pleasantly without the least
hint of criticism. This remark de-
lighted Melanie.
No; / should never. picture Mr..
Lloyd-Jones as a garden pink. But
then, Auntie. you remember how elo-
quent he was about the hills and the
stars. That speech did not at all In
dicate hothouse nature"
Nevertheless. think his senti-
ments have been cultivated, like his
orchids"
Not bad achievement" said Me-
lanie.
There was an interval OF silence.
while the younger woman stood look
Ing out Of the window and Madame
heynier cut the leaves of French
journal. She did not read. however,
and presently she broke the silence
don't remember that Mr.. Van
Camp ever sent orchids to you"
"Mr. Van Camp never gave me any
KIND OF flower. He thinks flowers are
the most intimate of all gifts. and
should only be exchanged between
sweethearts. At least, heard him ex-
pound some such theory years ago.
when We first knew him."
Madame smiled--a significant smile,
II any one had been looking. Nothing
further was said until Melanie unex-
pectedly shot straight to the mark
with:
How do you think he would do.
Auntie. In place of Count Lorenzo?"
Madame Reynier showed no sur
prise. He is a sterling man; but your
cousin would never consent to It."
And II should not consult my
cousin!"
MY dear Melanie. that would en-
tall many embarrassing consequences:
and embarrassments are worse than
crimes"
Melanis could laugh at that, and
did. i've already answered n note
from Mr.. Van Camp this morning.
Auntie. No. don't worry" she play.
fully answered a sudden anxious look
that came upon her cunts counte.
nance. 1'-s not sad .y-s' to him. But
he's coming to see ine at twelve. II !
don't give him a chance to say what
he has to say. he'll take one anywhere.
He's capable Of proposing on the
streetcars. Besides. l have something
also to say to him."
We'll. my dear. you know best: Ger.
tainly think you know best" was
Madame Reynier's last word.
Mr.. Van Camp arrived on the stroke
OF twelve. an expression Of happiness
on his lean. Quixxical face.
I'm supposed to be starting on q
cruise" he told Melanie. but luck
is with me. My cousin hasn't turned
up-or rather he turned up only TO
disappear instantly. Otherwise he
would have dragged me on to catch
the nrst ebbtide. with me hanging
back like an anchor.chain."
rs your cousin. then. such a ~.
rantf"
"oh. yes: he's n mnsterfui man. is
Jimmy"
And how did he disappear instant.
Tyr II sounds mysterious"
1T is mysterious. but Jim can take
care OF himself; at least. I hope he
can The message said he had sailed
on the Jeanne D'Arc. whatever that
is. and that ] was TO look after our
hired yacht. the Sea Gull"
Mclanie looked up. startled. "The
Jeanne Dare. was III" she cried.
Are you surc' But. OF course-therc
must bc many boats by tina, name. are
there mott but did he say nothing
more-wherc he was going. and why
he changed his r:ans'"
mo. h,t word more than that.
why' DO ,ou know OF boat named
the Jeanne D'Arc7"
"Yes, very well: but II can not mat
ter. II must be another vessel, sure.
iy. Meanwhile. what ARE YOU going
to DO without your companionY'
Aicck rose from the slender gilt
chair where. ar usual. he had perchcd
himself. walked 10 the window and
thrust his hands into his pockets for
oon,omplatiyc moment. then he
turned and came TO stand nlunrciy
before Meinnie. looking down on her
with his auirxioai. honest eyes.
"Thnt depends. Melanie." he said
slowly. upon whether you are soing
TO marry me or not"
For n second or two Meianic's eyes
refused 10 lift. but Alexis nrm. plant
cd ngure. his steady gaze. above all.
his dominating will. forced her 10 look
up. There he waa smiling. strong.
big. kindly, Molanio started to smile.
but for the second time that morning
her eyes Unexpectedly fliled with
tears.
II can't ,nlk TO you towering over
me like that" nho said nt last softly.
hor smile winning against N. tears.
Aieok did not move, II don't want
you TO talk to- me nbou, II. oil I want
II for you to say yea