Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-04-13
Lady Blanche
Farm
A Romance of the
Commonplace
By Frances
Parkinson Reyes
wNU Service
Copyright By Frances Parkinson Keyss
WNU Service
Copyright by Frances Parkinson Reyes
CHAPTER XI-Continued

Il nave tat ehance or saying
anything there now, wouldn't n"
"Well. don't have one of your
.grouches' about it
Philip FASTENED to interrupt the ex-
change OF fraternal compliments that
seemed imminent. The following
morning, Immediately after lunch,
Paul left Blanches apartment and be
took himself into town. Eventually
he alighted from the street car. to
find himself In front Of florists win
dow. He hestated moment. then
entered the shop.
Il want some flowers" he said, a
little vaguely. something pretty. For
for lady,
Certainly, sir. Orchids, two dol
lars apiece? American Beauties, If
teen a dozen7 Or gilt baskets, filled
with white lilacs-iust in-are very
attractive. Twenty dollars for the
smaller size, thirty for the larger
ones"
Comparative wealth In Hamstead
meant actual poverty In New York,
Paul had discovered. In Boston. 1t
meant, apparently. straitened cireum-
stances at best. He fingered the slim
wallet In his pocket nervously.
mot any-nothIng like those, I'm
afraid You haven't anything like
like what grows In country garden,
have your
"A few sWeet apaaa. you mean or
pansies?"
YES, and mignonette. and forget
me-nots."
II could make you up an old-fash-
toned nosegay-"
Yes, that's what | want"
When Paul took out his wallet to
pay for the bouquet, be took out a
little box, too, and writing on II in
pencil In bis curlously Uniformed and
immature hand. For Mary, with
Paul's love-" he slipped 1t In among
the flowers which the salesman hand
ed him. Then, thus armed, he turned
toward Beacon street.
enormous corner house OF brown stone,
on the water side. Its appearance In
stantly suggested ageA wealth and
excluslveness. Paul, uncomfortable
enough already, became decidedly
more SO as he rang the front-door bell.
The appearance of the man-servant
who answered the ring did not reas-
sure him.
Miss Manning Is not at home, sir"
"Or Mrs. Adams? Or Miss Adams n
'None of the ladies are In, sir"
"Could walt? | want very much
to see Miss Manning"
The butler seemed to hesitate.
I'm her cousin. Paul Manning, from
Vermont WE'VE come a long way"
How silly that he should be pleading
with this wooden-faced automaton
He half regretted the words before
they were out Of his mouth. But, as
usual, he stood bis ground. And he
was rewarded.
Il think Miss Manning would wish
you to wait. sir. VIII you come to
the library? I'll tell her you're here,
directly she gets In. sir--0r Miss
Adams. II she comes first, sir"
The library proved to be an enor-
nous windowed room at the rear
OF the house, overlooking the Charles
river. lined with books to the ceiling
and furnished In Cordova leather.
Paul had never seen, hardly even I'M
agined. such room before. This was
the kind of house--for Mr.. Hamlins
ahe felt sure, would be very like his
sister's-that Mary could live In for.
ever Ii she chose Mary, whose
chance for advantages" had been no
better than his Mary, whom he had
called prude and shrew and a
jailorl The clock on the mantel
chImed and struck half past four. The
butler reappeared and piled fresh
wood on the fire.
Il doubt If Miss Manning will be In
now. before tea-time, sir. Is there
anything could get you, sir? Some
cigarettes. or whisky and soda?"
mo. thank you"
The fire cracked a little with the
new wood. blazed into brilliant colors
and settled to a steady fame The
clock chimed and struck. and struck
and chimed again. II was after five
when he finally heard Mary's voice.
Someone waiting to see me? who
Is 1t, Judkins?"
1.-THE gentleman said he was your
cousin, miss. took him into the
library"
There was short silence.
THANK you, Judkins."
"Shall serve tea for you there now
miss?'
Please"
So they were to be alone-what he
had hoped for so much He hearC
her coming. lightly and quickly, up the
stairs. Then she entered the room.
She was dressed In the dull blus
color that she had always loved, {
soft. flowing gown, large droopint
hat. These were not the kind, Pau
instinctively knew, that were hurriedly
stitched together after the children
were In bed at night. or painfully
created by Miss Sims. the village dress
~