University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-07-28

care enough for that? Strangely
enough, burning tears filled her eyes
Hot revolt surged into her heart. She
stood looking down
Meanwhile the other members of the
dinner party were gathering with ten
der solitude about their hostess in the
ballroom beyond. Dick Minot, hope
less, glum, stalked moodily among
them. Into the crowd drifted Jack
Paddock, his sprightly air noticeably
lacking, his eyes worried, dreadful.
'For the love of heaven" MinOt
asked, as they stepped together into a
secluded corner, what ails you?"
BE gentle with me. boy" said Pad
dock unhappily. I'm in a horrible
mess. The graft, Dick-the good old
graft. It's over and done with now"
What do you mean?"
at happened last night after our
wild chase of Harrowby-I was fused
excited prepared two sets Of
repartee for my two customers to use
tonight"
"Yes?"
"I always maM carbon copies to re-
fer to myself just before the stuff is to
be used. A few minutes ago 1 took out
my copies. Dick! sent the same re-
/ partee to both of them,"
Good lord,"
Good lord is meek and futile. So
is damn. Put on your little rubber
coat, my boy. l predict a hurricane. 7"
In spite of his own troubles, Minot
! laughed.
"Mirth, eh?" said Paddock grimly
Il can't see it that way. I'll be as
| popular as Republican in Texas be-
fore this evening is over. Got a COL
pie of hasty rapid-fire designations all
ready. Thought at first l wouldn't
come-but that seemed cowardly. Any
way, this is my last appearance on any
stage as librettist. Kindly omit flow
ers."
And Mr.. Paddock drifted gloomily
away.
While the servants were passing
cocktails on cleaning trays, Minot
found the door to the balcony and
stepped outside. A white wrath fit
ted from the shadows to his side.
"Mr. Minot," said soft. scared lit
tie voice
"Ah-Miss Meyrick," he cried.
Merciful fate this, that they met for
the first time since that incident on
the ramparts in kindly darkness.
Miss Meyrick," began Minot hur-
riedly, I'm very glad to have mo-
ment alone with you. / want to apol
ogize-for last night was mad-I
did Harrowby very pa1pable wrong.
I'm very ashamed of myself as | look
back. Can | hope that you will-for-
get-all 1 said?"
She did not reply, but stood looking
down at the palms far below.
Can l hope that you will forget
and forgiven"
She glanced up at him, and her eyes
shone in the dusk
81 can forgive" she said softly.
But 1 can't forget Mr.-Mr. Minot
-"
"Yes?
"What-what-is- great
est privilege?"
Something in the tone of her voice
sent cold chill sweeping through
Minot's very soul. He clutched the
rail for support.
Tiff you'd answer. said the girl,
"it would make it easier for"
Aunt Mary's generous form ap-
peared in the doorway.
"Oh, there you are, Cynthia. You
are keeping the duchess dinner wait
ing"
Cynthia Meyrick Joined her aunt.
Minot stayed behind a moment Be-
low him Florida swan in the azure
night. What had the girl been about
to say?
Pulling himself together, he went
inside and learned that he was to take
in to dinner a glorious blond brides
maid. When they were seated, he
found that Miss Meyrick's face was
hidden from him by a profusion of
Florida blossoms. He was glad of that
He wanted to think-think.
A few others were thinking at that |
table, Mrs. Bruce and the duchess |
among them. Mrs. Bruce was mental |
ly rehearsing. The duchess glanced at |
her.
'The wittiest woman in San Marco"