Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-04-25

Jones' style as these" replied Madame
Reynier. She had q faculty Of COM
menting pleasantly without the least
hint Of criticism. This remark 10
lighted Mslanis.
No; I should never picture MI.
Lloyd-Jones a. q 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
dictate q dollhouse nature"
Nevertheless. I think his senti-
ments have been cultivated, like bis
orchids"
mot . bad achievement" said Ne
LAME.
There was an interval Of silence.
while the younger woman stood look
ing out OF the window and Madame
Reynier cut the leaves OF a 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 gave me any
kind Of flower. He thinks flowers are
the most intimate of all gifts. and
should only be exchanged between
s~weethearts. At least, l heard him ex-
pound some such theory years ago.
when we first knew him."
Madame smiled-a significant smile.
If any n 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 Lorenso"
Madame Reynier showed no sur
prise. He ID q sterling man: but your
cousin would never consent to It."
And II I should not consult my
cousinf"
my dear Melanie. that would %,
tail many embarrassing consequences:
and embarrassinents are worss thar
crimes"
Melanie could laugh at that. and
did. i've already answered q mote
from Mr.. Van Camp this morning
Auntie. No, don't worry" she play
fully answered a sudden anxious lool
that came upon her aunt's counte
nance, Tive not said yes to him. But
he's coming to 9 me 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
street-cars. Besides, l have something
also to say to him."
well, my dear, you know best: Ger
tainly l think you know best" wal
Madame Reynier's last word.
Mr.. Van Camp arrived on the strok,
of twelve, an expression of happiness
on his lean, ~quizzical face.
I'm supposed to be starting On /,
cruise" he told Melanie, but lucl
is with me My cousin hasn't turnet
up-or rather he turned up only t
disappear instantly. Otherwise h
would have dragged me of to catcl
the first ebb-tide, with me hangini
back like an ancborchain."
"Ts your cousin, then, such . y
rantr"
"Oh, yes; he's q masterful man. 1
Jimmy"
"And how did he disappear instant
Tyr It sounds mysterious"
1T IL mysterious, but Jim can tax
care Of himself; at least, I hope h
can. The message said he had sale
on the Jeanne dare. whatever tina
is, and that I was to look after GU
hired yacht, the Sea Gull"
Melanie looked up, startled. 9Th
Jeanne D'Arc, was lit" she criet
Are you sure? But Of course--ther
must be many boats by that name, ar
there not? But did he say nothin
more-where he was going, and VIII
he changed his plans?"
mo. not a word more than tina
Why? Do you know Of a boat name
the Jeanne D'Arc?"
Eyes, very well; but It can not ma
ter. It must be another vessel, sur,
ly. Meanwhile, what are you goin
to do without your companion"
Aleck rose from the slender 81
chair where, al usual. he had perche
himself. walked to the window an
thrust his hands into his pockets II
a contemplative moment, then h
. turned and came to q stand squareI
before Melanie, looking down on h'
with his ~quizzical, honest eyes.
THAT depends, Melanie," he sal
slowly, upon whether you are goir
to marry me or not"
For q second or two Melanie's ey,
refused to lift; but Alexis flrm-plan
ed figure. his steady gaze, above a
his dominating will, forced her to boz
, up. There he was, smiling, stron
big, kindly. Melanie started to smil
but for the second time that mornil
her eyes Unexpectedly filed wi
tears.
! II. can't talk to you towering ov
; me like that" she said at last soft
= her smile winning against the tears
Aleck did not move. IT don't wa
a you to talk to- me about It; all ! wa
10 for you to say yeas