The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-06-25

various rooms of the ground floor,
chatting in quite the old-time way, till
a 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 it's array of tables
grooming 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 unconfined.
Again Valiant claimed Katharine
and they glided off on "The Beautiful
Danube" Her paleness now had a
tinge of color, but nevertheless he
thought she dropped. You are tired, -
he said, "shan't we sit it out?"
"Oh, do you mind?" she responded
gratefully. ut has been a fairly siren
uous day. hasn't it,"
He guided her to a corridor, where
branches of rhododendron screened an
alcove of settees and seductive cush-
ions. Here, her WEAKNESS seemed put
to rout. There was no dropping OF
fringed lids, no disconcerting 81
lences; she chartered with ease and
piquancy.
81 have been listening to paeans all
the evening"" she said. "And you de-
serve them. It's 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 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 lands a set
Element they call Hell's-Half-Acre.
Probably it has well earned the
name. It's a 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 If I'm ever able, l mean
to put a Misunderstanding school w
there. And then"
He ended with a half laugh, sudden.
ly conscious that he was talking in a
language she would scarcely under
stand-in fact, in a tongue new to him
self. But there was no smile on heI
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 immortal flavor that die
not displease her. And the Fargo mil
lions would bear much harmless ham
mering. A change, subtle and incom
municable, passed over her.
81 shall think of you," she sighed
"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 I have a 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 hel
| breath on his cheek. A new waltz
had begun to sigh it's languorous meas
ures.
Placer" she queried. do you thinl
you had no place there? Is 1t possible
that you do not understand that your
going has left-a void?"
He looked at her suddenly, and hel
eyes fell Before he answered, how
ever, the big form of Major Bristov
appeared, looking about him.
cit has-left void" she said, hel
eyes still downcast, her voice just low
| enough, for me-"
The major pounced upon them al
this juncture, feelingly accusing Johr
of Sc nefarious design Of robbing the
assemblage Of it's bright and partic
ular star. When Katharine put hel
hand in her cavaliers arm, her eye:
| 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 it.
/! AS she moved away, her faint colo
slightly heightened, she was glad O
the interruption. 1t was better as i
was. When John Valiant came to he
again.
But to him, as he stood watching
her move lightly from him, there wa'
vouchsafed illumination. 1t came tt
him suddenly that that placidity ant
hauteur which he had so admired il
the old days were no mask Tor nre'
within. The exquisite husk was thu
real Katharine. Hers was the lowell
ness of some tall white lily cut II
marble, splendid but chill. And will