Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1913-12-26

expectant. eager. watchful for some
n else, smOte him to the heart. and
he laughed a little. put down the tool
he had seized. sat in his chair with his
back entirely to the arch with its
brocatelle curtains that had never once
in all the years been displaced or
touched by hand Of his. He lighted a
fresh cigar. n the smoke wreaths
grew thicker. and the mist over all
things more dense. and the cricket
sang on. and the rest of it was silence
and his hunger for Betty.
There may have been. indeed there
were. other sounds there-the creak of
rusty hinges. the sweep of brOcatelle,
the careful tread Of two little feet lost
almost in a pair of cavalry boots that
reached to a childish waist. the soft
pnrring Of three pussy cats and the
swish of their tails against the Turk
ish ottOmans neal the arch. The little
boy. by no means abashed or fright
ened. saw the figure Of the man
through the haze. but not his face. for
that was not toward him. He made a
fusther noise with his gigantic heels,
but the man did not hear. His mind
was with the woman he loved. He
smoked on.
more intentional sound with his boots.
Still the man was oblivious. Finally
the melodious voice Of the child ex-
claimed, Pardon. monsieur, but are
you happiness or where is it. if you
p~lease?"
Then. to be sure, Peter Van Zandt
started up from his dream chair and
turned to behold the tiny figure emery
ing from the cavalry boots and the
head rooted by the old army cap.
This. to be sure, the little boy had
lifted as he had spoken. When he
succeeded in handling it he saw the
stranger against whom his grand
mother had SO carefully warned him.
Monsieur cried the astounded
child.
Monsieur lie Marquis.' exclaimed
the equally ~astOnished man. Then GER
tainly Mr.. Van Zandt recovered him
self. pleased In a sense to think that
his small acquaintance had come to
call on him.. Admitted doubtless by
Bridget or Shaddle. he had entered the
room while the host had been unOb-
servant. lost in thoughts of Betty. Il
I'm glad to see you, sir" Van Zandt
went on. Il did not hear the bell ring
nor your entrance. Sit down." He
wheeled a chair nearer the fire. which
the three pussies evidently accepted
rs u note of welcome. for they began
to beStOw themselves in warm corners
without further DISQUALIFICATION.
But the little boy ldid not take the
offered seat; he stood with his un-
wieldly cap in his hands and said: No.
| thank you. monsieur; ! did not know
this would be your house. l thought
it was our house" he glanced back
intuitively toward the curtained arch.
Mr.. Van Zandt. not exactly cOmpre-
hending. smiled amusedly; so this little
man was doubtless II visitor with his
grandmother, at Betty's house, and by
some within of childhood he had come
around by the areaway very likely, and
walked in.
"And how is that. sir?' he neverthe-
less inquired.
II did not come to visit you. nor.
sieur; not in the least. ! ask your
pardon. came to find happiness
and he looked around. please.
monsieur, tell me. is it really here?'
mo, SIR" Van Zandt answered slow
ly. 1T is not"
But little Peter was about to say.
"Brigitte told me it was here" when
his instincts forbade the use Of any
ones name as yet.
But I am most happy to have you
here" the host repeated.
Monsieur. it is not that. Grand
! mamma" thcn he paused. searching
road. "Grandmamma. monsieur. is no
happy. I an ure Of it. And Bril-
mean some one told me that happiness
was on the other side of the arch. and
| promised to myself. monsieur. tt
come through and find it. and have II
for her when she gets home from
Bloomingdale tonight. tomorrow" The
little boy gave a deep breath of relief
ut the conclusion Of his long speech.
The man stared at him in open be
wilderment: hen a light dawned.
Betty's visitors. of course. the little
boy and his green brocade grandmam.
ma. and some fairy tale. all mixed ur
in his curly hair.
Well. children and fairy tales were
alike the unknown quantity to PeteI
Van Zandt. but this charming little
guest Of Betty's! All. yes. perhaps.
certainly he could be led to talk Of his
hostess.
II am glad yOu came" Van Zandt
again repeated somewhat lamely.
Now, sit down."
mo, monsieur, l thank you. 1t is not
the visit. ] could not. ! promised
grandmamma never to visit the stran.
ger. ! will 60 back. Come" be said tc
the three pussies. ''Strad. Ole Bull.