Gilpin observer., 1914-06-18

He nodded, suddenly serious and
thoughtful. There's lot I'd like to
do. It's not only the house and
grounds There are other
things. For instance, back on the
mountain-on my own land-is a set
tlement they call s-Half-Acre.
Probably 1t has well earned the
name. It's wretched collection of
novels and surly men and drabs of
women and unkempt children, the
poorest of poor-whites. Not one Of
them can read or write, and they live
like animals. II I'm ever able, l mean
to put a Misunderstanding school up
there. And then"
He ended with a half laugh, sudden
ly conscious that he was talking in
language she would scarcely under
stand-in fact. in tongue new to him.
self But there was no smile on her
lips and her extraordinary eyes-cool
gray, shot through with emerald
were looking into his with frankness
and sympathy he would not have
guessed lay beneath her glacial pla-
cidity.
To Katharine, indeed. it made little
difference what philanthropic fads the
man she had chosen might affect as
regarded his tenantry. Ambitions like
these had manorial flavor that did
not displease her. And the Fargo mil
lions would bear much harmless ham,
mering. A change, subtle and incom-
municable, passed over her.
han iy,k oP oh a cio Cd
"as working on in this splendid pro-
gram. For it is splendid. But New
York will miss you, John"
"Ah, no. I've no delusions on that
score. dare say I'm almost forgotten
there already. Here l have place."
Her head, leaned back against the
cushion, turned toward him, the pale
orchids trembling >on her bosom-she
was SO near that he could feel her
had begun to sigh it's languorous meas
ures.
Placer" she queried. DO you think
you had no place there? Is it possible
that you do not understand that your
going has left-a void?"
He looked at her suddenly. and her
eyes fell. Before he answered, how
ever. the big form of Major Bristow
appeared. looking about him.
1T has-left a void" she said, her
eyes still downcast, her voice just low
enough, for me-"
The major pounced upon them at
this juncture. feelingly accusing John
OF the nefarious design of robbing the
assemblage of its bright and partic-
uiar star. When Katharine put her
hand in her cavaliers arm, her eyes
were dewy under their long shading
lashes and her fine lips ever so little
tremulous. It had been her best avail
able moment, and she had used 1t.
AS she moved away. her faint color
slightly heightened, she was glad OF
the interruption. 1t was better as it
was. When John Valiant came to her
again. :.
But to him, as he stood watching
her move lightly from him. there was
vouchsafed illumination. 1t came to
him suddenly that that placidity and
hauteur which he had SO admired in
the old days were no mask for fires
Nithih. AhC CAdulSllc HuSh WAS lut
real Katharine. Hers was the lowell
ness of some tall white lily cut in
marble, splendid but chill. And with
the thought. between him and her
there swept through the shimmering
candle-lighted air a breath of wet rose
fragrance like an impalpable cloud.
and set In the midst of it misty star
tinted gown sprayed with lilies-of the
valley. and above 1t a girls face clear
and vivid. her deep shadow-blue eyes
fixed on his.
The music of two-step was Ian
gushing when, little later, Valiant
and Shirley strolled down between
the garden box-hedges. cypress-shaped
and lifting spire-like toward sky
which bent. a silent canopy of mauve
and purplish blue. Behind them
Damory court lay nest OF woven
music and laughter. The long white,
muslined porch shimmered goldenly,
and beside it under the lanterns dal-
lied flirtatious couple or two. ghost
like In the shadows.
Come" he said. Let me take you
to see the sun-dial now"
The tangle had been cut away and
narrow gravel-path led through the
pruned creepers. She made an excla-
nation of delight. The onyx.pillar
stood In an oasis of white-moonHow-
ers. white dahlias. mignonette and mar
cissus; bars OF late lilies.of-the-val.
ley beyond these. bordered with Arum-
lilies. white clematis. iris and bridal
wreath. shading out into tender paler
hues that ringed the spotless purity
like dawning passion.
White for happiness" he quoted.
You said that when you brought me
here-the day we planted the ram
blers. Do you remember what |
said? That some day, perhaps, should
love this spot the best OF all at Damory
court" He was silent a moment, trac-
ing with his finger the motto on the
dials rim. when I was very little. &"