The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-06-19


single splendid loop Of iridescence
against the rosy mist. depended those
fabulous parasitic kind you sim
ply can't believe" as Betty Page con-
flded to her partner-on whose news
paper reproduction (actual diameter)
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 flawless beauty. AT
the tournament her fleeting glimpse
had adtudged 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 1t 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 the waltz tainted
out, to be succeeded by duex-temps
and presently the host, in his crimson
cloak. was doffing his plumed hat be-
fore her. Circling the polished floor
in the maze, there was something
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 touch
of dignity. too-as betitted the lord
of manor-which sat we'll upon him.
After 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
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 its array of tables
grooming under viaLds 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 q
tinge of color, but nevertheless he
thought she dropped. "You are tired
he said, "shan't we sit 1t out?"
ooh, do you mind?" she responded
gratefully 1T has been fairly siren
uous day, hasn't I'll"
He guided her to a corridor, where
branches of rhododendron screened ar
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
old estate. And know 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 land-is set
Element they call Helrs-HalfAcre.
Probably it 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. If I'm ever able, mean
to put Misunderstanding school up
there. And then"
He ended with half laugh, sudden.
ly conscious that he was talking In a
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 a frankness
and sympathy he would not have
guessed lay beneath her glacial pla-
cidity.
To Katharine, indeed, 1t made little
difference what philanthropic fads the
man she had chosen might affect aa
regarded his tenantry. Ambitions like
these had a immortal 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.
Il 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 q place"