Half A Chance

nowing the fashionable foible, he had purposely held back to avoid making himself conspicuous by being prompt. The house, his destination, was not unlike other d

r walls and laid on a roof; he had given the front wall a slightly outward curve. In so doing, he di

antial appurtenances to a fine and stately town house. That funereal atmosphere common to many homes of an ancient period was, however, lacking. The observer felt as if some recent hand, the hand of youth, had been busy hereabouts indulging in light touches that relieved and gladdened the big r

g her there seemed no danger of losing the way. At the conclusion of the program proper, an admirer of the poet asked if their young hostess would not play a certain musical something, the theme of one of the

n near John Steele to another of her sex, duri

as large properties, but--a diminishing income." She lowered her voice rather abruptly as

;"--the voice also went on--"has strong political

deal combination for a political career--might become pri

er fair head. And as Steele looked at her, again there came over him--this time, it may be, not without a certain

arles. John Steele, at the rear, looked at the door leading into the main hall toward the young girl, then stepped across the so

ncle wishes to see you before you

d up to-day at a bargain and want your opinion of!" he went on, leading the other into a lofty and restful apartment adj

of books," he observed with a

t on in regretful tones, "some years ago, as I was returning to Australia. A rare lot of law books, a library in themselves,

reat mart, London, for fine edition

dled them thoughtfully and for some time his host ran on about them. A choice copy of one of the Elizabethan poets, intruding

ce of--a little parcel like th

and him that takes.' Excellent bit of binding that, too! But," with new zest, "take any

the doings of the ring or the h

ever seen an honest, har

, of the spectacle of two brutes disfig

of Lord Ronsdale who had at that moment stepped

s differing from me about a go

to a chair and helped himself to

ng--its traditions

ages of a book he yet held; his face was half-turned from the nobleman. The clear-cut, bold profile, the

t disappointed tone, "I am one who views with r

ass untasted. "My own opinion," he said crisply;

d, glancing gaily from one to the other. "Did you tell my uncle, Mr. Steele, what you thought

tened to repair

program, I mean. Have you forgiven me

ed. Lord Ronsdale's e

king to the arm of a great ch

ward, he noticed in her hair several flowers shaped like primroses, but l

Routine that makes slaves of men!" with an accent slightly mocking. "And stepping into what? Society! The

off?

ed--is that the word?-

was acq

w you made me feel

in him," sai

ed for him--Do you think many innocent people have been--hanged, or sent out o

an play odd

juryman is to be depended on!

ker. "No doubt you are right." A sardonic flash seemed to play

prosecute people, Mr. Steele

nter task

e country," broke in Sir Charles, "I am

ndesirables--transportation--it has alwa

scape and come back to

returning stares them in the

girl shiver

ty should certainly prove effi

turning, I mean--very severe,

er; the bright bit of color in her hair again seemed to catch and hold his glance. "But," with a sudden change of

ked out upon an agreeable, if rather restricted, prospect of green garden. Several of the windows of the glass addition were open and the warm sunshine and air entered. A butterfly was fluttering within; in a corner, a bee busied hi

pale yellow; a few near-by were half-red, or spotted with crimson; others, still, wer

inged marauder hovering noisily over. "I think I can gue

express it! Say the soul, the heart's blood. Some of the primr

e flowers may be much

p it," she answ

t help taking into their lives some beautiful hue b

reward." As he spoke, she plucked a few flowers and held them out

gazed at it, a tiny thing in his own great palm, a tiny, red thing, like a je

e. "You are modest. And you don't ev

nce; she drew back slightly. The girl's crimson lips parted as with a suspicion of faint wonder; the blue eyes, just a little soberer, were, also, in the least degree, perplexed. The man's bre

same he had worn when he had first steppe

botany, Miss Wray!" he said e

d the library. Lord Ronsdale regarded both quickly; then started, as he caught sight of the flower in John Steele's coat.