The daily sentinel., 1913-05-21

- walls, and upon the ivory head of a stick
that leaned significantly against the
q desk at which Mckinney sat.
Presently, when he stood up, the rea-
son for this stick became apparent Even though he
bore heavily it, he limped, his steps were
obviously painful Once seated before the fire. he
leaned the stick carefully beside him and lay back
with both hands olasping the arms of his chair
locking hxedy into the flames. His fine, cIeanfea-
tured face quiet enough but a deep furrow came
gradually between tho brows and the mouth settled
IN tired lines
Ho did not turn his head when a step sounded
behind him in the doorway.
Back again, already, mother?" he asked pleas
snty. The Revolutionary Daughters must have
been brief-eh?"
1T is not your mother" said a voice, all imperious
Infections, and of an almost boyish depth.
AT It's first note the young man swung about in his
nhair, reaching for the stick his eyes grown warm
with delighted surprise.
You, Yvonne?"
She was beside him in an instant.
Don't get up! Do you hear? It's only mel And
j you don't mind me-I shant stay-not a secondl"
Ilo surrendered at discretion surveying her hap
piy, She was wrapped in long gray cloak and her
arms were full of American Beauty roses. Over her
hair was scarf of shnmering moonlight
stuii A CLINT OF jewels struck through it. She
cropped her roses into his lap, and laughed
Hold them while got these things off I wanted
you to see me- I'm just from the photographers.
|No--no-no-noi Sit still, Justin!"
"Shan't help your" The rose.fragrance heavy
with sweetness family stale, was in his nostrils;
his eyes wstful of her beauty.
81 can got them off myself" said Yvonne sho
freed herself of the gray cloak dropped it upon the
door with magnificent gesture and kicked it aside
Il The scarf followed like shred of mist; then she
regained her roses, laid them within the hollow of
one arm, threw back her head and faced him radi.
anty
"Look!" she cried "The Queen of Comus! Ma
voioil"
Mckinney drew in his breath sharply, leaning bacl
In the chair to look. She very lovely. trail
ing gown of white satin embroidered from shoulder
20 hem in silver, clung about her slim young body in
exquisite. straight lines, From her shoulders fell
the length of wonderful velvet court train heavy
Nlth silver flowers, and about her throat her arms,
and her waist, gttered the Jewels of the king.
There was little of tho same white fire
Inpon her dark hair. and out of all this splendor
looked her long, dark eyes, and the young red
ness of her mouth.
Stand farther of" said Mckinney. "There!" He
added half under his breath word she caught and
flung back at him, with delicious arrogance.
II am beautiful It's true" n
Though you say It that shouldn't"
why shouldn't I? looked in the glass last night,
and the king told me-and a few other men. Look,
Justin!" She swooped down upon him again like an
excited child All her movements swift and
supple This from the kingl" She displayed a
brooch of pearls and diamonds and q tiny crown.
This and ths-and this-and this-and this" touch.
ing the pins about her corsage with darting fingers
from maskers. / popular. You've no idea!
I've the kings mantle at heme, he gave 1t to me,
und his scepter. My scepter's oat in the ma
chine It's too heavy It's like a stick with a cab
oage on top, diamond cabbage You see my roses
are beginning to wilt. Aren't they long? wanted
you to see me, just l looked last night Justin!
Justin! Aren't you going to tell I'm a beautiful
queen?"
He smiled at her curiously leaning forward little,
with thin hands interlocked upon his knees His
wide, whimsical mouth twisted at one corner before
he spoke.
Didn't the king tell you SO? And a few other
men?"
All! But want you to-you're diherentI" She
was standing of from him again, posing frankly
oaressing her roses, the twilight striking thousand
title dancing flames from the jewels In her hair and
an her breast.
Look at me, Justin! My gown is perfect"
Very fine feathers" he admitted, lightly stroking
his chin abstractedly.
She stamped a satn.shod foot
You're too provokngi Look at me, Justin. The
gowns not the thing. Don't look good?"
AT her sudden accession oil wiBtiuiness he smiled
again.
You lock soed - me, ,Yyenne."
But goods not keautiful-"
Even when 1t pretty does'2"
Il want you to say I'm beautiful"
Upon my word. that's modesty!"
Perfectly beautiful, like queen of the blood!"
"Or out Of "a fairy tale?"
She noddyd.
Very we'll" he said, indugently. "You are per.