The state herald., 1913-04-18

ly desired Melanie Reynier for wife,
yet on the whole he was a 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 SO. in the
sober bedroom Of the club. he quickly
fell into the good sleep induced by ia
tigue and healthy nerves.
Morning brought counsel and 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 a
situation. and 1t augured well for the
unknown emergencies of their future
life. He had little patience with IT,
midity and traditional coyness in won.
en-. and great admiration for an open
and fearless spirit. Melanies 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 the apartment at the Arch
angel had fingered at their breakfast.
the austerity OF which had been miti.
gated by center decoration of or
chids and fern. fresh-touched with
dew; or SO Madame Reynier had de-
scribed them to Mo!anie. as she
brought them to her with the card Of
Mr.. LloydJones. Mics 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 tho
matter little further.
DO you wish to 20 home. Aupt,e. or
is It that you think ought TO go,"
Il don't wish to go without you,
child. you know that: and l am very
comfortable here. But his Highness,
your cousin. is very impatient: I see
that In every letter from Krolvetr.
You offended him deeply by putting
on your marriage to Count Lorenzo.
and every day now deepcns his indig.
nation against you. don't like to dis.
cuss these things. MelAnie. but I sus.
pect that your action deprives him OF
very necessary revenue; and ! un.
derstand. better than you do. to what
lengths your cousin 10 capable OF 60
ing when he 10 displsased. You are.
by the law Of your country. his ward
until you marry. Would II not be bet
ter 10 submit to him In friendship,
rather than TO incur his epmity7 Aft.
er all. he IL your next OF kin, the head
of your family. and n very powerful
man. II we are going home at all. we
ought to 40 now"
''But suppose we should decide not
TO 20 home at all7"
You will have to 10 some time. dcnr
child. You are all alone, except for
me. and In the nature OF things you
cnns have me always. Now that you
are young. you think II nm easy thing
to break away from the ties OF blood
and birth. but believe me. II isn't
easy. You. with your nature. could
never do IL. Tho call OF the land IL
strong. and the timc will come when
you will long to 20 home. long TO go
back TO tho land where your father
led his soldiers. and where your moth.
er waA admired and loved"
Madame Rcynier paused and watch.
ed her niece. who. with eyes cast
down. was toying with with her spoon.
spread over Mclanic's cheets and fore.
head and neck. and whom she looked
up into Madame Rcynicf's face. shs
was gazing through unshcd tears.
She rose quickly. cane round TO the
older woman'a chair aud kissed her
cheek nfIec,ionatoiy.
Dear Auntie. you arc very good to
me. and patient. too. It's all true. |
suppose; but the prospect Of home
and Count Lorenzo togcthor-ah
WELT" sho smiled reassuringly and
again car-ssed Madam. Reynier's
gaunt old face. "i'il think II all over,
Auntie dear"
Madame Reynier followed Melanie
into her sitiinsroom. bringing the
precious orchids In her two hands.
fearful lest the fragile vase should
fall Melnnie regarded them mo
men,. 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"