The Elbert County tribune., 1913-03-14


menting pleasantly without the leas'
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
auent 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
LAME.
There was an interval of silence
while the younger woman stood look.
Ing out Of the window and Madame
Reynfer 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 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 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"
Melanie could laugh at that, and
did. I've already answered a note
from Mr.. Van Camp this morning,
Auntie. No, don't worry" she play
fully answered sudden anxious look
that came upon her aunt's count g.
nance, 1--WE not SAID 'yes' to him. But
he's coming to see me at twelve. If l
don't give him chance to say what
he has to say. hen take one anywhere.
He's capable of proposing on the
street-cars. Besides. have something
also to say to him."
well. my dear. you know best; GER
tainiy 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, quizzical face.
I'm supposed to be starting on a
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 first ebb-tide, with me hanging
back like an anchor-chain."
rs your cousin, then, such a ty-
rant?"
"Oh. yes: he's masterful man. is
Jimmy"
"And how did he disappear instant
lyT It sounds mysterious"
'Tt is mysterious, but Jim can take
care of himself; at least. Il hope he
can. The message said he had sailed
on the Jeanne Dare. whatever that
is, and that I was to look after our
hired yacht, the Sea Gull"
Melanie looked up. startled. "The
Jeanne D'Arc. was IL" she cried
Are you sure? But, OF course-there
must be many boats by that name. are
there not? But did he say nothing
more--where he was going. and why
he changed his rians?" -ss
mo, not Word more than that
Why? Do you know of boat named
che Jeanne D'Arc?..
"Yes. very we'll; but 1t can not mat
ly. Meanwhile. what are you going
to do without your companion"
Aleck rose from the slender gill
chair where, as usual, he had perchet
himself, walked to the window ant
thrust his hands into his pockets fol
contemplative moment. then h.
turned and came to stand squared,
before Melanie. looking down on he
with his quizzical. honest eyes.
"That depends. Melanie." he sal,
slowly, upon whether you are goinI
to marry me or not"
For a second or two Melanie's eye
refused to lift: but Alexis Triumphant
ed figure. his steady gaze, above all
his dominating will. forced her to lool
up. There he was. smiling, strong
big, kindly. Melanie started to smile
but for the second time that morning
her eyes unexpectedly filed wit
tears.
81 can't talk to you towering owe
me like that" she said at last softly
her smile winning against the tears.
Aleck did not move. II don't wan
you to talk to- me about 1t; all wan
! is for you to say 'yes.'"