Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-17

eOAV 1AA1lI Su0 lI4SAAs uu uS "~
AS yet, his plans went no further
than that errand, but he felt q con-
tent a soothing As sleep.
When he reached the street where
she lived, most Of the business places
were closed. and the pouring stream
Of workers had flowed out. to be dis
sipated in . thousand directions, III
= river flowing into sand, Still,
enough people were passing to give
the street an air Of animation.
Noel climbed the steps Of the house.
and received his irst surprise. The
saw Into . vestibuie. noored with
squares of black and white marble
and panelled with black walnut,
highly carved. In odd contrast to
this old-fashioned elegance, a row OF
was .f,1ed to the wall. fFhe one-tims
mansion wal now inhabited by sew
eral families.
While he hesitated before this new
situation, q woman came down the
curved stairs-a fat woman VINO
looked like a middle-clas dressmak-
err. She was hurrying and painting
with heat and exertion.
"Arlof?" she answered Noefs in
quiry. Second noor."
She hustled out, and he used tho
implied freedom to 60 up without
further ceremony.
On the second floor the door oppo-
site him also stood ajar. with only a
curtain drawn across. No doubt tho
heat had prompted any measure
which promised a current of air. Be-
tweep the folds Of drapery Noel saw
into the room beyond. lnvoluntarily,
he remained at gaze.
The room was furnished as q draw
ing-room, but in the center was q
table laid for two. At one place stood
a glass of milk and some thin slices of
bread. At the other place was a
plate Of clear soup, and arranged
around this e two chops with
brave collars of pink paper, two
cream-cakes on a standing dish, and
a frosted goblet of claret. In the
center of the table. a slender vase
upheld that single stalk of~gladiolas
from the hotel board the <night before.
Opposite the plate Of bread and
gl9ss Of milk was seated the young
girl herself. At the place cross from
her sat the nos dazzling old mar
Noel had ever seen or imagined.
He was not old. Noel withdrew
that term a moment later. His crisp,
white hair curled around a dark,
vivid, virile face without a mark Of
age. All the fire, the energy. the
swift-changing play of expression that
There was ever youths touch of
spoiled arrogance in the curve of his
lips, and more than a little of youths
sweetness. .
He was a small man, rather less in
stature than the average Anglo.
Saxon; yet he gave the observer an
impression that he was possessed of
unusual strength.
While Noel, unseen. arrested,
stared at him, the man spoke in Eng
lish perfectly constructed, yet deli
cately foreign:
You like the gift Of your poor
papa, my child?"
ooh. yes!". the girl answered, her
voice saily .caressing. She raised
from her lap the French doll Of the
dancing-contest, and with a delight.
full gesture Of coquetry pressed its
rosy bisque cheek and yellow curls
against her -oWn white cheek and
eurls of bronze. 1T was adorable Of
you to give her to me, good papa.
But she has no a an yeti"
call herr"
The girl considered.
"salome, perhaps"
Bah! Salone vas a vixen!"
But she danced on her own
heart" she murmured, with a faint
sigh. Shall it be Carmencita, papa? 20
"Or Anitra, who was an enchan-
tress?"
1T shall be Anitra. Thank you,
papa! But you do not eat. This
dreadful heat"
Pardon, my Rosaiind, but l devour
r~avenously."
At the fathers first movement.
Noel. still standing in the shelter Of
the curtain. drew a bpeath Of wonder
ing comprehension. for it was plain,
now, who had taught Rosalind Arloff.
The mans grace was a thing UNI
natural in its perfection. AS with
the girl. his smooth movements seem-