The Crux

painting and

for the Dawn

een convinced that

us and Gol

are mornings qui

uds in a low

ht of daylight ca

un has ari

ny particular oversight from Andrew Dykeman; but the two were sufficiently close friends

welcome, even if he had not had a good excuse, and when they

reasing youth and good looks, and even exchanged sagacious theories as to the particular acting cause. But when they

his palely graceful lady; the low, sweet voice, the delicate hands

ay; not one held out beyond the third. Even Susie's attractions paled, her ve

ng women are selfish. Naturally, of course. It takes some experi

making observations. Occasionally he paid some court to her, at which times she was cold to him; and again he devote

jerky order; but his gallantry was sweeping and impressive, none the less. If he remained too f

usie was but a skirted ghost, and Morton was by this time so deeply devoted to Vivian that he

tly died, and still she never breathed a word against him. But the Bible Class in Bainville furnished no satisfactory ma

d the quality of his remaining toilet articles that he might be considered "suitable," she decided to rema

s of Mr. Skee. Idly amusing herself, she questioned that gentleman indirectly

a hundred years passed, he would apologize, admitting that he had no memo

. I feel very old sometimes!" She lifted large eyes t

nty years added on superfluous! Now me!" He shook his head; "I don't remember when I was born at all. And lo

ateless adventures among the Indians, she gave it up. Why Mr. Skee should have interested her at all was

fore Mrs. St. Cloud, with subtle sympathy and engaging frankness, fairly c

e boy, told tales of his childhood that were in

ed her earlier influe

she discovered what it was that had

speak of it to anyone.... It was one of the-" she shivered slightly-"darkes

beautiful eyes till they

tragedy may ever come

to clasp the girl's. "I am

not happy enough to honestly accept sympathy. Mr

en blame myself. One cannot be too careful. It's a te

ore somber. That was one th

he older woman. "Your dream has come true! H

ally," said the g

St. Cloud nodded with tender wisdom.

ctly "it," and

s no oth

nd as her questioner had studied the field and m

happens. It is part of the morning clouds of maidenhood, my d

erplexities. She could always express her

ke-about him," she said. "Habits of sp

pa

to guard and guide us; but the real is never quite the same. But when a man's soul opens

hat he knows that he is-unworthy-and has done

have seen good women-young girls, like yourself-ruin a man's whole life by-well, by heartlessness; by lack of understanding. Most young men do things they become ashamed of when they really

s. I'm not so sure-

e from year to year a strong, noble character grow under your helping hand! To

m I that Go

to choose a

I done He

e with

was a

beauty of the lines, the lovely thought. Then she arose

St. Cl

Adela,

ht not there to be more-more love? I'm fond of Morton, of course, and I do

e so many men friends, you keep Morton at a distance. Then the external sort of cousinly affection you have for him rather blinds you to other feelings. But I have not forgotten-an

dow and stood awhile; came back and kissed her f

nd spent some time on it, for there was

ght head bobbing about beneath Mr. Saunders down-bent, happy face, and Vivian, with her eyes cast down, dancing with Morton, whose gaze never left her. He was attention itself, he brought her preci

rs. St. Cloud's bright promise of a new-built life. And some way, as she had listened and did not forbid, the touc

o tear herself away, as Susie drifted in, also late; and Aunt Orella

able to her than had others. She took off her new pretti

ed of myself!" Quite possibly she did not sleep well either, yet she ha

He had said this, he had looked that, he had done so; and what

sleep, her arms around Vivian. But the older girl co

e with a whispered expletive, took his shoes in his ha

eart he wished it was. He stood still, alone on the high stretches of mo

have her!" he repeated under

s" he associated with intended to do what was wrong; they were quite harsh in judgment of those who did, according to their standards. None of them had

d saved his money, instead of spending it faster than it came in. He wished he had kept out of poker and solo and barrooms generally. He wis

he determined; "I'll ma

e began to read the books she liked, and to talk about them. He was gentler to everyone, more polite, even to the waitresses, te

of her frequent errands, was encountered t

lady who has Mr. Dykeman's room; d

. "Young! She's not so young as

his queer laugh, which looked so

armer, whatever her ag

r. Skee. It may be ti

h? What in th

d the lady, with some tartness. "But for my own pa

ual promptness, and refused to be baited

his entertainment for Mrs. St. Cloud, isn't it, Mrs.

oys over there. They are all wild about her, quite naturally." She gave a li

the fair sex, even such a peacherino as this one. But with A

id Miss Orella, oracularly. She seemed busy and constrained, and M

home, Ma'am," he said; "

. Skee; it's been my home

n, livin' alone, to have a business,

to my mind," she answered. "I wish I could get Vivi

ness knows they need a gardene

regular certificate, you see. Her parents would nev

d, Miss Vivian would be a better teacher than lots of th

ied a great deal. She

I doubt if the families here realize what they're missin'. Aint

he suggested several names from his

d over to Dr. Hale's fence and leaned upon it, watching the preparations. Mr. Dykeman, in his shirt-sleeves, stood abou

and make yourself usefu

the fence and vaulting his long legs over it with an agility amazing in one of his alleged

began by wanting Mrs. St. Cloud to come ove

tand the invitatio

leads to another, you know. Here, Archie! That

uotin' proverbs, I might remark that 'Wh

It's rather a good jo

to come home-and find this hen

man. "Those medical associations do a lot of talk

m, strolled up and down the garden, wearing a meditative smil

ee's departure, making notes and lists of names. L

f you these days, M

r renewed intimacy she had rather avoided the doctor, an

ss Lane; I'm Vivi

e a friend?" said D

en happening lately," she laughed, a little nervously. "The

speak about. Aren't you ready to

said the girl. "But, somehow, I

e are six or eight among my patients that you could count

ny case. A dozen would be plenty to begin wit

ny of them you don't know. Most of 'em come here to the dances. There's Mrs. Horsford and M

-her voice took on a sudden note of intensity-"

our age-my child. I did th

pened down one side passage and the doctor quietly di

voice," she said. "And M

was Dr.

ne physician, I understand. I

e it seem impossible that

as not diplomatic enough to smooth it over, whi

uld not have been friends. She is strong, downright, progressive; I am weaker, m

. "She was talking t

r sc

e planned it even before starting; but Miss Elder seemed t

ppen, dear child! Quite o

witching. Vivian flushe

dancing together! You don'

not wish to intrude, but you are very dear to me. Co

would have liked to wear-and never quite have dared, under the New England fear o

garments and gave her a glittering embroidered scarf, which the girl ra

d the lady. "Here-show me what you've got. Y

ing the sleeves to fairy wings of lace, draped the scarf about her white neck, raised the soft, close-bou

self now, chi

tly attired. Erect, slender, graceful, the long lines of her young body draped in soft white, and her dark head, crowned and sh

shall!" cried her admiring frie

ivian consented, the two arriving rather

his evening clothes, was a cordial host,

ticut, had rigged a fountain by means of some rubber tubing and an auger hole in the floor. This he had made before Mr. Dykeman caught him, and vowed Dr. Hale would not mind. Mr. Peters' enjoyment of the evening, however, was a little dampened by his knowledge of the precarious nature of th

g Gardens of Babylon," sa

ked Mrs.

say why?" he protested. "Because i

faucet," said she, sott

astening to get a cup of coffee for his fair one, tripped over the concealed pip

feeling but Mr. Peters', and Mrs. St. Cloud was so kind t

oo tired, and Dr. Bellair somewhat dryly told him that he need not bother with her. He was hardly to be blamed if he turned repeatedly to Mrs. St. Cloud, whose ta

refreshments for Miss Orella, gallantly escorting Grandma to see the "Lovers' Lane" they had made

e of the receiving party, uttering ever-fresh expressions of admiration

he constituted herself a sort of protective agency to keep ever

rt leap. He had then, as it were, surrounded her. Vainly did the others ask for dances. Morton had unblushingly filled out a card with his own name a

n, and for once his tongue d

him monopolize her, but quite drove him

aid Morton for her

r about the garden later, gravely admiring and attentive, and when Susie fairly rushed into her arms, begging her

think!" Susie's face was buried o

ssed her soft hair. Her joyo

the world!" breathed S

he did. Didn't yo

way; but, Vivia

ever in all your little

rosy, tearful f

aid. "I thought I had, but I

th a pink lantern in his hand, in impatien

orthwith back to the house, whence

arted to

s. The paper cover flared up, showing her flushed cheeks and starry eyes.

m, turning her head away. H

ton-don't! Y

but he held her fast. She could

ome day, when I'm more worth while. Say you will! Some day

ms held her motionless. She stil

rton; let me g

d I'll let you go-

said

a tall man jumped the hedge boun

ey heard him say. And then Morton swore softl

aid, a little breathlessly. "We

t," he answered. "

n-are giving a garden pa

r w

She is visiting us.

, and was gone wit