Middletown transcript., 1916-01-15


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 inti-
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 it distressed
her. She did not want him to suffer.
Uncle Jim strode out with hearty
greeting, and, at the sound of the
voices of no one but Gail and Mrs. Da-
vies 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 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
disapprove.
Gail was most uncomfortably aware
of him in this neaness; but she
turned to him with a frank smile of
friendship.
This looks like 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. We're discussing
plans for the new Vedder court tene-
ments"
Obi" observed Gail, and radiated
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 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,
to say nothing of his being Van
| Ploon, represented to her the ideal Of
masculine perfection. He was an ELI
gibIe 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
adFoitness of Gail. In precisely five
minutes Van Ploon was on the door
step, with his Inverness on his shoul-
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 momen-
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
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, Dicky, you can't come
in!" protested Gail, with half frown-
ing, half laughing remonstrance. TITS
a fearful hou1. for calls"
I'm a friend of 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. Well, have
it 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 look in his eyes
which suddenly stopped her.
Il am very much in earnest about
II. Gail" and his voice bore the stamp