Lewis Rand

n the blue room. Fairfax Cary fired up. "You are too easy, Ludwell! Lewis Rand, I warn you, is a dang

he roadside, and Dick Wood's the nearest house! And once within a man's doors, eve

Jacqueline's right hand. "I would have as soon called old Gideon Rand dangerous! Like father, like

ry, "and conversely power to be humane. A turn, and

Edward. "I do not expect grapes from th

damned Republican, but he is not a fool," pronounced Co

d wore black cockades, and cared only for the Washington March, and hated Buonaparte, a

only in liking the Rogue's March," said

e. "Well, sir, in itself the Marseillaise is a ver

he gallows by!" snapped Uncle E

or damned Republican. Noblesse oblige. I was glad enough the night my mare Nelly threw me, coming home from Maria Erskine's wedding, to hear Bob Carte

k!" broke out Major Edward. "I

the coffee urn. Her hands made a little noise amid the rosebud china. "Mr. Cary, m

essing his host. "I rode over this afternoon, and the men assure me that the

Colonel Dick heartily. "Fontenoy will

nd Unity, "Will I have time to order a black scarf

sebud china, and laid the purple dessert service for the strawberries and floating island and Betty Custis cake. Caleb placed t

broad hall and stood at the front door looking out at the coloured clouds a

t," said Unity, with convicti

mean M

oing to say to him, Jacqueline? I want y

t, Un

arming husband in the world, and be envied of every girl

all s

eve you are in love with Ludwell Cary!-though I am sure you ought to be. It's not M

, Unity!-though may be some day

. "There's no one else that by any stretch of imagination

ll Deb good-night. And Unity-I don't want Mr. Cary to speak to-night, nor to-morrow night, nor any other night! I'll stay at Fontenoy-I'll sta

f three counties. In her anxiety to account for Jacqueline's pallor and the dark beneath her eyes, she went f

d fragrant chamber, she found Deb already asleep in the small bed, her yellow hair spread upon the pillow, her gown open at the throat, a rag doll in the hollow of her arm. Upon the floor, with her head against the bed, sat Miranda, as fast asleep as her mistress. At Jacqueline's touch she

birds that in winter perched upon the dark boughs. Now, between the needles, the eastern sky looked blue and cold. Jacqueline, sitting idle, felt her eyes fill with slow tears. They did not fall. She was not lacking in self-control, and she told herself that of late she had wept too often. She sat very still, her head bowed upon her listless arm, while the moments passed

owly and reflectively, the women sat with folded hands, watching the last glow upon the hills, and the brightening of the evening star; dreami

a small table Major Edward was playing Patience. On the broad porch steps below Jacqueline and Unity half sat, half lay,

the vines at Greenwood trained like

g-room finishe

ltimore. The ground is silver, and there are ga

ied Unity. "But

ite Arcadian. When will the prince

ery soon." She rose from the green bench. "The waiting-maid is going now to her harpsichord!"

into the house. The dusk deepened; the odour of honeysuckle and syringa gr

nce love is bl

e lad-then

lad a fair

oprano from

is," and he left the porch. The rose in the sky turned to pearl, the fireflies grew brilliant, and the wind brought the murmur of streams and the louder rustling of the poplar leaves. "It is too da

years, and every mont

nd with Chloe m

said Jacqueline. "

ot stay like this a little longer?-Miss Churchill, th

Mr.

But to-day I said, 'The spring is flying-I'll put my fortune to

ish that you woul

vely child I remembered changed into the loveliest of all women, I loved you. If then, wha

heart I wish th

me prove throughout my life the depth of my

y. "I do not see it in my life. The best

h. And if we remember after death, I will remem

, I hoped 'twas but a fancy, and that y

said that I was speaking too soon. Let me wa

head. "It wi

in a low voice, "is th

that I shall ever marry. For you, you will live long and be happy. You deserve

wait. If there is no man before me, I will win you yet! There is little reason, God

r life she would travel a sunny road! I prize your friendship-I am loth to lose it. But as for me,"-she lock

ive me," she said. "Is it not cruel tha

Nor will I despair. To-night is dark, but the sun may shine to-morrow. Think of me as of one who will love you to the end." He took her hand and kissed it, then sto