Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1922-03-16

nothing to Tony, and she had let the
play go too far now to convince him
that she did not return something of
his feeling.
She looked down at him now, con-
tent to be alone with her and at her
feet, and a hundred mixed emotions
stirred her. His feeling for her was
not only pitiable and absurd in him,
but it was rapidly reaching the point
when it would make her absurd and
pitiable, too. Nina instinctively
seeming the affair, had already ex-
pressed herself as "hating that IDIOT"
Ward had scowled, of late at the mere
mention of Tony's name. Even her
husband, the patient Richard, seeing
the youth ensconce himself firmly be-
side her in the limousine, had had
aside his mild comment SIS this young
man a fixture in our family, dear2"
''You should be playing tennis,
Tony" said Isabelle.
"Tennis :" A look of distaste crossed
AnthOnys face.
'Please-Cherie he begged.
There was a silence trimming with
sweetness and color. Tony laid his
hand against her knee, CROPPED until
her own warm, smooth fingers were in
his own.
Does Mr.. Carter play golf tomOr-
row." he asked, presently.
81 suppose sol"
"And you-what do you do1"
"Oh, l have full day! People to
lunch, friends of Madame Carter"
The boy laughed triumphantly.
II knew you'd say that" he said.
''Now, I'll tell you about tomorrow.
You and l are going to slip away, at
about one O'clock, and go off in the
gray car. Wen go up towel, some
where, and we'll have our lunch under
the trees Well be back at about four,
for the tea callers, and they may have
you until l come back for dinner.
After dinner Wen walk on the terrace
-as we did two wonderful, wonderful
nights ago, and perhaps" His voice
had fallen to a rich and tender note,
his eyes were rapt. Perhaps" he
said, 'just before we go In, at the
end of the terrace, you'll look up at
the stars again"
"Tonyl" Isabelle interrupted, her
face brilliant with color. "My dear
boy-my dear boy, think where this
is going to end. In all reason-in ala
reason"
isabelle, what in Gods name has
reason to do with It'll" He knelt be-
fore her, and caught her hands, and
Isabelle had a terrified fear that
Ward, or Nina, or any one else, might
start up or down the terrace steps and
see him. "The instant you realize
what you and are to each other, my
darling" he said; "you begin to talk
of reason. Love Isn't reason, Cherie.
It's the dlvinest unreason in the
world! Cherie, there's never been
another woman for me; there never
will bel 1 can't live without you;
don't want to You're frightened now,
YOU don't know how we can manage
it. But Til find the way. The only
thing that matters is that you must
belong to me-yOu shall belong to me
las / to you in every fiber of my be-
ing"
"Tony-for Heavens sake-w Isa-
belle was in an agony. Somebody was
approaching. He had gotten to his
feet, and was gloOmily staring at the
river, when Nina Carter, followed by
great white Russian hound, came
flying down the steps.
Mother" Nina, tall, overgrown
girl, with spectacles on her straight
nose and straight, light-brown hair In
thick braids. stopped short and gave
her mothers companion look of
whitening distaste. Mother" she be-
gan again, aren't you coming up for
tear
aAsk Betty Allen to pour" said
Mrs. Carter, regaining her composure
rapidly, and assuming the air Of host
] ess at once.