Contrary Mary
lah Remembers a Voice-and in Which a Poe
looked up at him; and Mary, in spite of her friendliness, had forgotten that he was in the house! Well, they had set the pace, and h
m the summer heat; back came the members of House and of Senate, streaming in from North, South, East and West for the coming Cong
down the steps of the Monument, venturing into the White House, piloted through the Bureau where the money is made, riding on "rubber-ne
the summer, the shops began to take on beauty. Up F Street and around Fourteen
unset, with amethystine vistas. And if, beyond the city, the fields are frosted, it is frost of a feathery whiteness which melts in the glory of a warmer noon. And if the trees are bare, there is yet pale yellow und
Rock Creek through the Park that Roger came to the old M
came largely from those who arrived in motors o
ng a rather substantial repast, for
e passengers. He recognized Porter Bigelow at once, an
all black hat with a thin curved plume, and a tailored suit cut on lines which accentuated her height a
to foot she was in a deep dark pink that, in the wool of her coat and the ch
lack that Roger fixed his e
r did not recognize him. The tall man in the old overcoat and soft hat was
rl with the rose was saying as they sat down;
id not need many words wit
h and little Lei
ned and held his gaze. "It was dear Leila, and
did you do?" demanded Porte
elilah Jeliffe. She drew t
she said; "everybody does it now. But
in hotly. "I think it is ho
d. "But that wasn't the
The old men and the young one,
nlight in Romeo's motor car-it was great fun. But the clergyman wouldn't marry us. I think he g
gentleman was pro
was discovered, and let myself in by the door I had unlocked. But I
ame of Romeo?
ovely little blonde and they
round. "But I don'
hole thing was an adventure along the road
t to some women-an adventure along the road. One man served for
now you see why I was dreadful Lilah. I
"It is women who set the pace for us," he said; "if
ooked like an indignant cherub. "The way you young people treat serious su
that she doesn't mean, Dad. P
said Lilah, "and that's why n
ed to drive out on the ranch. As long as I'd let her have her head, she
, and a great plate of toast, and the convers
attention again arrested when Lilah sai
allard's for Thanksgiving
re going South, so I can
It was said tentatively, with
air, there was a deeper flush on his florid cheeks. Mary
ila and the General without them," she said to Barry, after a conversation with Le
omfortably, "is good fun
said Mary, slowly, "b
rry told her. "I don't quit
d think when you look at Leila you'd know the difference. Leil
" murmured Barr
lah Jeliffe would flit in and out of his life as other gi
es, and the pink of her cheeks, and by the way she does h
lilah Jeliffe," said Barry
ary demanded with
guessing
she lik
y no
t to know, Barry? You'r
anything to do with it, little so
tilt over invit
ble to let him spend t
't know anything about him, Mary. And I agree with Porter-a man's bank reference isn't
er always had it on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't want me to ask
s were
e to deserve that?"
sense he's a guest in our house, and you haven't bee
o you
use I
e of the word-and that I couldn't see the difference because was a man. I'll let y
she said. "But later, we are asking some others for candle-lighting time. We want everybody to come pr
s offer of hospitality from the girl who h
r Rooms, her smile seemed to draw him, her voice c
ion. For one night he would let himself go. He would be himself. No one should sn
or the flickering flame of a fire of oak logs. The guests, assembling
presently Pittiwitz, stealing toward the hearth, arched her back under his hand, and he reached down a
arry stood before them, and g
he explained. "You know the idea. All of you hav
ate volunteers, so B
and drew her into the
, and sang a lullaby. Mary Ballard played her accompaniment softly, sitting so
ch to her candle and stood on tiptoe to set it on t
conscientiously they played the old game of "Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold." The General's fat hands met Mr. Jeliffe's thin ones alternately and in
e candles
of wildness, and just a hint of sophistication, and Delilah in her dress of sapphire chiffon, wit
e candles
ad danced it. But they did it very well; Porter's somewhat stiff bearing accorded with its stateliness, and Mary, having added to her green velv
y maid. And as their orderly steps went through the dance, so would their orderly lives, if they married,
was upon the company. Song was followed by story, and story b
He was leaning forward a little, and there
ke impe
" she said,
ss, not a hint of self-consciousne
sy cat holds me, and as I shall tell you abo
hand resting on the gray cat'
ence. Here was no stumbling elocution, but a controlled and perfect method, backed by a voice which
is written by one of England's younger poets. Since he lacked the time for it all, he sketched the theme, roun
_,' moaned the bel
orphan, O, a li
ng,' echoed hap
lured him, and m
nd glow as he entered upon its enchantment, saw his meeting with the green-gowned
voice, and then, O
lighted door, a f
ose Lane, O, leani
n glory of his gr
to sail beyond the world; of how each man staked such small wealth as he possessed; "for in tho
"Not a groat," he tells sweet Alice
t we nee
id. So when th
golden sunrise
waved upon t
had his ventur
ho is this Roger Poole?" Under his breath Barry was saying, boyishly, "Gee!" He might still wonder about Mary's lodger, he wo
me to the prentice lad-the price paid for his cat in Barbary by a ki
f his wealth to Alice, her
' said the Bell
uick,' laughed th
l marry her, marr
ing,' said the
were saying things, but their words seemed to come to him through a beating darkness. There was only
a great
hat-it was the
arried his candle an
with the shining eyes. This was
speak, then she said ag
n Barry had to admit that his manners were irreproachable, and his clothes. As for his looks, he wa
d lights. He went down to supper, and again sat beside Mary-and knew not what he ate. He saw Porter's hot eyes upon him. He knew that to-mor
the tables, brought him at last to Delilah J
id with the upsweep of her lashes. "It is
e forgotten,
. "I want to remember-and I
ead. "It was m
hy
ne isn't always
k her head. "It isn't a moo
ion lightly to another topic. "I had not thoug
y's gree
as dark. I could not se
were light and she meant them lig
r did no
ame to look for
that he had been a fool! The world would not end to-night. He had to
Romance
Romance
Romance
Romance
Romance
Romance