The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-01-27
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RyGE0RGE RANDOLPH CTI[ST[R.
and LILLIAN CHESTER w.
cSsssss 1;Ss,s Z, ILLUSTRATED 6~C.DRHODES
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! Npuii'hti ptlHdps' III ue ndu Dteu Wise
enough to know; but he was not
The study door was open when late
that evening Houston Van Ploon Sc.
dately escorted Mrs. Davies and Gail
into the library, one Of those rooms
which appoint themselves the instinc.
tive lounging places Of all family init.
mates. Gail turned up her big eyes in
sparkling acknowledgment as the pune
/ tilious Van Ploon took her cloak, and,
at that moment, as she stood grace
fully poised, she caught the gaze Of
Rev. Smith Boyd fixed on her with
such infinite longing that 1t distressed
her. She did not want him to suffer.
Uncle Jim strobe out with a hearty
greeting, and at the sound OF the
voices OF no one but Gail and Mrs. Da-
vles and Houston Van Ploon, old
Daddy" Manning appeared in the
doorway, followed by the rector
"The sweetest flower that blows in
any dale" quoted Daddy" Manning.
patting Calls hand affectionately.
The rector stood by waiting to greet
her. after Manning had monopolized
her a selfish moment, and the newly
aroused eye for color In him seized
upon the gold and blue and red of her
straight Egyptian costume, and recog.
nized in them a part Of her endless
variety. The black on her lashes He
was close enough to see that and he
marveled at himself that he could not
disapproye.
Gail was most uncomfortably aware
Of him in this nearness; but she
turned TO him with a frank smile Of
friendship.
This looks like a conspiracy" she
commented, glancing towards the
study, which was thick with smoke.
ITS an extensively innocent one"
returned Manning, giving the rector
but small chance. Were discussing
plans for the new vedder court tene-
ments."
"Oh" observed Gail, and radiated
a distinct chill. whereupon Rev. Smith
Boyd, divesting himself Of some cour.
teous compliment, exchanged inane
adieus with Mrs. Davies and young
Van Ploon. and took his committee
back into the study.
Mrs. Davies remained but a moment
or so. She even seemed eager TO retire,
and as she left the library. she cast a
hopeful backward glance at the dane
ing-eyed Gail and the correct young
Van Ploon, who. with his Dutch com
plexion and his blonde English mus
tache and his stalwart American body,
20 say nothing OF his being a Van
Ploou, represented to her the ideal Of
masculine perfection He was an ELI
gible who never did anything a second
too early or a second too late, or de-
Waited by one syllable from the exact
things he should say.
If the anxious Aunt Helen had
counted on any important results from
this evenings opportunities, she had
not taken into her calculations the
adroitness OF Gail. In precisely five
minutes Van Ploon was on the door.
step, with his Inverness on his shou-
ders and his silk hat in his hand with
out even having approached the elabo-
rate introduction to certain important
remarks he had definitely decided to
make. Gail might not have been able
TO rid herself Of him so easily, for he
was a person Of considerable momeu-
tum, but he had rather planned to
make a more deliberate ceremony Of
the matter impulsive opportunities
not being in his line OF thought
A tall young man in an Inverness
walked rapidly past the door while
Van Ploon was saying the correctly
clever things In the way Of adieu; and
before she had closed the door on Van
Ploon, Dick Rodley walked into the
house with careless assurance.
Gracious. Dcky, you can't come
I'M" protested Gail, with half frown.
ing half laughing remonstrance. It's
a fearful houi for calls"
I'm a friend or the family" in.
sisted Dick, calmly closing the door
behind them and hanging his hat on
the rack. 81 guess you've forgotten
the program"
"Oh, yes. the proposal Wen, have
il over with"
"All right" he agreed and taking
her arm and tucking her shoulder
comfortably close to him, he walked
easily with her back to the library
Arrived there, he seated her on her
favorite chair. and drew up another
one squarely in front Of her
I'm going TO shock you to DEATH"
he told her I'm going TO propose Sc.
riously to you"
Some laughing retort was on her
lips, but she caught a look in his eyes
which suddenly stopped her
81 am very much in earnest about
it. Gail" and his voice bore the stamp
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