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