Smyrna times., 1915-09-01
FOR DAMS DEAR SAKE
BY ELINoR GATES.

Hildreth-Chesley was all agog over
the charms. the wealth, the clothes OF
newcomer. Mrs. Ruel Latran. who
mad taken the Farms under rather a
long lease-Green Farms, TO be exact
the show place Of the colony. Who
ever lived in it must have money
also social sponsors; also. beyond all.
personality.
You see, Olney. who owned the
Farms, although tired OF the place.
yet held il in a certain petulant re-
garn' which made him exacting as to
possible tenants.
The which is illuminating-both as
to owner and new tenant. Olney had
never seen her, but what he had
heard from mutual acquaintance so
prepossessed him in her favor that
his inquiries had not gone beyond her
bank account.
The colony. OF course, swarmed IN
welcome to her That she was dis
tinctly new was all in her favor. A
vague haze of romance enshrouded
her past.
No armor is so impenetrable as a
casual frankness that scouts the
name Of secrets. Mrs Latran was
amazingly frank-even about her age.
Twenty-nine she gave herself out tc
be, signing that II was so near to
thirty and waving away consollng
speech that she hardly looked twenty
five. Further she spoke OF her col
lege, Of her native country, touching
very lightly on the fact that she was
tNe last OF her race. Oddly. she did
-.ot think ever TO mention the family
name, but there was no tripping her.
even II anybody had tried II, over
country sights and sounds. and habits
of mind.
II was even odder-women took to
her amazingly. AS Teeny Ware put
II, she was the best sort Of good fel-
/ low.
Olney. who came down in August,
laughed over the saying. His COM
ing was a surprise. or course. he did
not go to the Farms, but he did meet
the mistress OF II many times. Also.
he studied her intently-a thing he
had rarely done for any woman.
Notwithstanding. they got on ad.
admirably. She apparently ignored
the challenge Of his scrutiny and was
gay and cordial as with all the rest.
So there was really scant warrant for
his saying to her at the end OF a fort.
night. Madam. whatever the game is
henceforth you must count me in"
"Not yet. II would spoil-every-
thing" she answered. and 1t was
amazing what mirth and mockery
danced over her eyes and mouth. Il
dare not even let my whole self in, -
she ran on. The experiment is as
gorgeous as a soap bubble-and as
easily broken"
Il won't break IT," Olney answered
kindly. Tell me by little. AS. for
instance. isn't Dan Langton the orig
inal first cause OF it,"
"You are his best friend?" she'par
ried.
olney nodded. but said quickly: e
come next TO you. No-he hasn'
said so outright-but when he talked
of you the very first time-I knew.
$50 that's why you let me com,
here" she said. smiling and nodding
And have believed It was all m.
wonderful man OF business. Say
What did he tell your"
''Nothing-had no chance" Olne
answered TRANQUILITY. Then. droppin
TO a plaintive key: Please remembe
T've a weak heart-can't stand thi
strain OF curiosity. Tell me and II
never tell anybody-but Dan"
You mean-about the exper
ment?" she asked.
Is Olney smiled a Yes" She wer
,e on quickly. as though fearing to los
y courage: The experiment is-to Sc
10 II a bookmade woman can hold ht
?. own with-the other sort"
20 "Expiainl This Is all Sanskrit
me-" 0lney exploded.
She drew q deep breath and hu
ried on: MY mother was q cook. n
father a day laborer. He died whe
I was 1--WE. and when I was fifteen n
mother followed him. Then old Ru
Latran, for whom she had worked q
my life. a cripple and blind, nlarri'
az me-to save me. He made a W
giving me everything. For sew
years I was eyes. hands. feet 10 hil
never stirring from the house exec
for walks while he slept. ! dor
- know how he got the notion. but
himself proposed correspondent
= courses TO me. Also he let me ha
books and leisure. getting In a sto
nurse so I might have more time.
most his last words before the stro
were: Make yourself lady so you
do credit to the money I did I
best-am doing II still