Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-20
ILLUSTRATED s. ]
CHAPTER XIV.
" the sun.p,aI..
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CHAPTER XIV.
By the sun-olaI.
eyes arched with fan.shielded whfs.
pers. and fair faces, foreshortened as
they turned bach 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; a critical survey OF her
mirror at GLADDEN. Hall had assured
her of that. Never had her poise been
more superb, her toilet more enraptur-
Ing. She was exGussitely gowned in
rose-colored mousseline-de-soie, en-
broidered in tiny brilliants laid on in
Greek patterns. From her neck. In q
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-
fded to her partIer-on whose news
paper reproduction (actual diame ter)
metropolitan shop-girls had been wont
to gaze with glistening eyes; and with
in their milky circlet, on her rounded
breast, trembled three pale gold-veined
orchids.
Watching that quadrille through her
dropping emerald-tinted eyes. she had
received sudden enlightening impress
sion of Shirley's fawless beauty. At
the tournament her fleeing 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
effect almost Of blow.
For Katharine, be it 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 half.
formed intention. had become . SELF
admitted purpose during the motor
ride.
In another moment tho waltz tainted
out. to be succeeded by . duex-temps.
and presently the host, in his crimson
cloak. was domng his plumed hat b.
fore her. Circling the polished floor
In, the maze, there was something
gratefully like former days In the ~
sured touch, the true and ready guild
.nce. The intrusive question faded.
He was the John Valiant she had a.
ways known, Of flashing repsrtee and
graceful compliment, yet with . touch
Of dignity. too-as bedtted the lord
of manor-which sat we'll 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
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 OF 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?"
ooh, do you mind?" she responded
gratefully. 1T has been fairly siren.
uous day, hasn't it,"
He guided her to 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 ST.
lences; she chartered with ease and
piquancy.
II 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
oid estate. And knew you have even
bigger plans, too"
He nodded. suddenly serious and
thoughtful. There's a 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 set
Element they call Helrs-Half-Acre.
Probably 1t has we'll 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. If I'm ever able, mean
to put. manufacturing school up
there. And then"
He ended with half laugh. sudden.
ly conscious that he was talking in q
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