The Springfield herald., 1913-03-14
"1.n think it all over.

Auntie dear"
Madame Reynier followed Melanie
Into her sittinx-room. bringing the
precious orchids in her two hands,
fearful lest the fragile vase should
fall. Melanie regarded them a mo-
ment. and then said she thought they
would do better in the drawing-room.
Il sometimes think the little garden
pink quite As pretty as an orchid"
They aren't 80 much in Mr.. Lloyd
Jones' style as these" replied Madame
Reynier. She had faculty Of COM
mentins pleasantly without the least
hint Of criticism. This remark de-
lighted Melanie.
mo: should never picture Mr..
Lloyd-Jones a. 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 a dollhouse nature"
Nevertheless. think his senti-
ments have been cultivated, like his
orchids"
mot a bad achievement" said Me-
lanie.
There was an interval Of silence.
while the younger woman stood look
ing out Of the window and Madame
Reynier cut the leaves Of French
Journal. She did not read, however,
and presently she broke the silence
Il 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 e1-
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 sterling man; but your
cousin would never consent to it."
"And II I should not consult my
cousin?"
my dear Melanie. that would en-
tail many embarrassing consequences:
and embarrassments are worse than
crimes"
Melanie could laugh at that, and
did. 1--WE already answered \ note
from Mr.. Van Camp this morning.
Auntie. No. don't worry" she play
fully answered a sudden anxious look
that came upon her aunt's counte-
nance. I've not said yes to him. But
he's coming to see me at twelve. II l
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
street-cars. Besides. 1 have something
also to say to him."
well. 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. quizxical face.
I'm supposed to be starting on 4
cruise" he told Melanie. but luck
II 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 first ebb-tide, with me hanging
back like an anchor-chain."
rs your cousin, then, such . ty-
rant?"
"oh, yes; he's a masterful man. is
Jimmy"
"And how did he disappear instant
lyr 1t sounds mysterious"
ut is mysterious. but Jim can take
care of himself: at least. hope he
can. The message said he had sailed
on the Jeanne D.Arc, whatever that
10, and that was to look after our
hired yacht, the Sea Gull."'
Melanie looked up, startled. 1.-THE
Jeanne DArc, was it," she cried.
Are you sure? But, of course-there
must be many boats by that name. are
more-where he was going, and why
he changed his plans?"
"No, not word more than that.
Why? Do you know of boat named
the Jeanne D'Arc?"
Eyes. very we'll: but 1t can not mat
ter. 1t must be another vessel, sure
ly Meanwhile. what are you going
to do without your companion!"
Aleck rose from the slender gilt
chair where, as usual. he had perched
himself, walked to the window and
thrust his hands into his pockets for
4 contemplative moment. then he
turned and came to . stand squarely
before Melanie. looking down on her
with his quizxical, honest eyes.
THAT depends. Melanie." he said
slowly, upon whether you are going
to marry me or not"
For a second or two Melanie's eyes
refused to lift; but Alexis Triumphant
ed figure. his steady gaze, above all.
his dominating will. forced her to look
up. There he was. smiling, strong.
big. kindly. Melanie started to smile.
but for the second time that morning
her eyes Unexpectedly filled with
tears.
"I can't talk to you towering over
me like that" she said at last softly,
her smile winning agains. the tears.
Aleck did not move. 'I don't want
you to talk to- me about 1t: all want
is for you to say yes"
But I'm not going to say yes at
least. I don't think am. Do sit
/! down"
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