The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-22
CHAPTER XIV.

BY the Sun-DiaI.

they turned back over powder-white
shoulders. followed their swallow-like
movement. From an overwhelming
circle OF masculine devotees Katharine
Fargo watched them with q smile that
cloaked an increasing and unwelcome
question.
Katharine had never looked more
handsome: critical survey of her
mirror at GLADDEN. Hail, had assured
her Of that. Never had her poise been
more superb. her toilet more enraptur-
ing. sAe was exauisitely gowned in
rose-colored mousseline-de-soie, en-
hroidercd in tiny brilliants laid on in
Greek patterns. From her neck. IN O
single splendid loop Of iridescence
against the rosy mist. depended those
fabulous pearls-"the kind you SIM
ply can't believe" as Betty Page CON
hded TO her partner--on whose news
paper reproduction (actual diameter)
metropolitan shopgirls had been won't
TO gaze with glistening eyes; and with
IN their milky circlet, on her rounded
breast. trembled three pale gold-velned
orchids.
Watching that quadrille through her
dropping emerald-tinted eyes. she had
received sudden enlightening impress
sion OF Shirley's fiawless beauty At
the tournament her fleetlng glimpse
had adjudged the other merely sweetly
pretty. The Chalmers surrey had
stopped en- route for Shirley. but In
her wraps and veil she had then been
all but invisible This had been Kath.
arine's first adequate view, and the
sight OF her radiant charm had the
eject almost OF a blow.
For Katharine, DO IL said. had wholly
surrendered to the old. yet new, at
traction that had swept her on the
tourney field. And what had lain al
ways In the back OF her mind as a half
formed intention. had become a self
admitted purpose during the motor
ride
In another moment the waltz tainted
out. to be succeeded by duex-temps.
and presently the host, in his crimson
cloak. vas dofflng his plumed hat be-
fore her. Circling the polished floor
In the maze. there was SON ething
gratefully like former days in the as
sured touch. the true and ready guild
ance. The intrusive question faded.
He was the John Valiant she had al
ways known. OF flashing repartee and
graceful compliment. yet with a touch
or dignity. too--as befltted the lord
or a manor-which sat well upon him.
After q decorous dozen OF rounds, she
took his arm and allowed her perfect
figure to be conducted through the
various rooms OF the ground floor,
chatting In quite the old-time way, till
new gallant claimed her.
The mellow strings made on their
merry tune. and at length the Wash.
ington Post marched all In flushed
unity OF purpose TO the great muslin.
walled porch with its array OF tables
groaning under viands concocted by
Aunt Daphne for the delectation OF
the palate-weary.
And then once more the waltz.strain
supervened and In the yellow parlor
Joy was again unconilned.
Again Valiant claimed Katharine
and they glided or on The Beautiful
Danube" Her paleness now had a
tinge OF color. but nevertheless he
thought shD dropped. You are tired
no said. "shan't we sit II out?''
"Oh. do you mind?" she responded
gratefully. 1T has been fairly siren.
uous day. hasn't it,"
He guided her 20 a corridor. where
branches OF rhododendron screened an
alcove OF settees and seductive cush.
ions. Here. her weariness seemed put
TO rout. There was no dropping OF
fringed lids, no disconcerting ST.
lences: she chattered with ease and
piquancy.
Il have been listening TO paeans all
the evening" shD said. and you de.
servo them. It's a fine big thing you
are attempting-the restoring OF this
old estate And know you have even
bigger plans. too"
He nodded. suddenly serious and
thoughtful There's lot Id like TO
do. It's not only tho house and
grounds. There are other
things For instance. back on he
mountain-on my own lands n set.
tement they call IIell's-lIalf.Acrc
probably IL has we'll earned the
name. It's wretched collection OF
novels and surly men and drabs ot
women and unkempt children. the
poorest OF poor.whites. Not ono of
them can read or write. and they live
Ike animals. II I'm ever able. mean
To put a Misunderstanding school up
there. And then"
He ended with half laugh. sudden.
ly conscious that ho was talking I'm q
language she would scarcely under.
stand-in fact. in tongue now TO him.
self But there was no smile ON Ecr