The state herald., 1914-08-07

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 oven
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 land-is set
tlement they call Hells-HalfAcre.
Probably It has we'll earned the
', name. It's Q 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. mean
to put Misunderstanding school up
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 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. II made little
difference what philanthropic fads the
man she had chosen might affect as
regarded his tenantry. Ambitions like
these had a 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.
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 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
breath on his cheek. A new waltz
had begun to sigh It's languorous meas.
ures.
"Place?" she queried. do you think
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 her
eyes fell. Before he answered. how
ever the big form Of Major Bristow
appeared. looking about him.
1T has-left 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-
ular 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
tremplous. II had been her best avail.
able moment, and she had used It.
As she moved away. her faint color
slightly heightened. she was glad OF
the Interruption. II was better az II
was. When John Valiant came TO her
again.
But to him. as he stood watching
her move lightly from him. there was
vouchsafed illumination. II came TO
him suddenly that that placidity and
hauteur which he had so admired In
the old days were no mask for fires
within. The exquisite husk was the
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 n breath OF wet rose
fragrance like an impalpable cloud.
and set In the midst OF II n misty star.
tinted gown sprayed with iiiies-ot.the
valley. and above II n girls face clear
and vivid. her deep shadow.blue eyes
fixed on his.
Tho music OF two-step was Ian
gushing when, little later. Valiant
and Shirley strollcd down between
tho garden box.hedgcs. cyprcss.shnpcd
and lifting spire-like toward sky
which bent. silent canopy OF mauve
and purpllsh blue. Behind them
Damory court lay nest OF woven
music and laughter Tho long white
muslinod porch shimmcred goldeniy
and beside II under tho lanterns daI
lied iiirtatiouH couple or two. ghost
liko In tho shadows.
Come" he said 'I ~t me taxi. yo,,
to SEQ the sun.dinl now"
The tangle had been cut away and
a narrow grnycl.pnth led through the
prunod creepors. She made an crcln.
nation Of delight. Tho onyx pillar
stood In nm oasis OF white-moonflow
ors. white dahllas. mignonottc and mar
olssus; bars OF late liiics,ofthc-val
10y beyond thonc. bordorod with Arum
lilies, whito olematis. iris and bridal
wreath. shading out into tender paicr
hucs that ringed tho spotloss purity
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