The Danger Mark

how; Geraldine and Na?da Mallett doubled up; twin beds were installed for Dysart and Bunny Gray; Rosalie took in Sylvia Quest with a shrug, disdaining an

-more genial, more futile, more acquiescent than ever. The Crays, Beckmans, Ellises, and Grandcourts arrived; Catharine Grandcourt shared Mrs. Seve

g up or driving off; an army of men from West Gate Village were busy stringing lanterns all over the grounds, pitching pavilions in the glade beyond Hurryon Gate, and decorating everything with ribbons, until Duane suggested to Scott that they tie

e innocent of the easy, amused mockery which had characterised him. The subtle element of self-consciousness had disappeared, too. If it had remained unnoticed, even undetected before, now its absence was noticeable, for there was no l

nd charming fellow he was until that morning, whe

ough all the interval of years in between counted less than a dream, and now, at last, I am awake and taking up real life again.... You

ve been very tireless in trying on, they say.

ted, a little out of countenance, "everything was absu

orous young arms and kissing him squarely and thoroughly. Then she

Duane," she said in a lo

not help

hleen r

e-yours to unmake, to mould, fashion, remo

said, ve

uperintend details which never worried her, never disturbed the gay and youthful confidence whi

there was very little to do except to be affable, for Kathleen's staff of domestics was perfectly adequate-the old servants of the house of Seagrave,

Duane descended the stairs, on his way to inspect his

ordially with her big, handsome daughter, Catharine, a strapping girl, with the shyly honest eyes of her brother and the rather heavy but shapely body and l

ng man?" he inquired, as sternly as though he

ok hands

n. Didn't Benjamin West live out in the backwoods? And I guess he managed to make good without raising hell in the Eekole di Boze

t Duane, who winced, but

e of newly arrived guests, leaned

Beaux Arts? Did you behave like all tha

mnly, with Mr. Tappan, ste

ave you been hidi

s on the big beech-tree you would presently appear

d ever since I've been doing my traditional duty; and," in a lower voice, "I was per

ck just now to find you.... I t

bout it this morning-the very first thing. We both snivelled. I didn

ned them, touching her lips, too, which always gave that very young, almost chil

e with you, Duane-

o the beech-t

ound with a ho

ly got to be here. I don't see how I can get away

udio to see what sort of a shake-d

e you will be comfortable. It's perfect

g, and she gave him a shy glance of ad

old Miller had already provided him with a washstand and a

ative; he opened the big window, let in air and sunshine, and picked up a sheaf

ered from the throat and shoulder of this demure, fair-skinned, and blue-eyed creature, who was so palpably playing at masquerade. A silken parody of a shepherdess-a laughing, dainty, snowy-fingered aristocrat, sweet-lipped, provocative, half reclining under a purposely conventi

bsorbed and transmitted the frivolous spirit of the old French masters, which they themselves took so seriously; the portrait was also a likeness, yet delightfully permeated with the charm of a light-minded epoch; and somehow, behind and underneath it all, a brilliant mockery sparkled-the half-amused, half-indifferent

for they are a serious sort, your painters of pictures, and they couldn't appreciate an art which made fun of art; they would execrate the uncanny mastery and utterly miss the gay perversity of the performance, and Duane knew i

me to compare it with some dozen vigorous canvases hanging along the studio wall-studies that he knew would instantly c

tery; and here, too, lurked that shadow of mockery ever latent in the young man's brush-something far more subtle than caricature or parody-deeper than the imitation of m

etch of Howker, wrinkled, dim-eyed, every inch a butler, every fibre in him the dignified and self-respecting, old-time servant, who added his dignity to that of the house he had served so long and

ernal glow which never entirely fades from the canvases of the old masters-which survives mou

ath, modelled in bone-black and an earth-red, gave it another bath in the sun, and then gla

, heard the wind in the pines blowing, with the sound of flowing water, felt the warmth of the sun, breathed the mounting

o understand what life might hold for him, there came qui

May I

ed inside, breathing rapidly, de

o scrape and bow and pull his forelock. I've got t

her in h

ured, looking at him with al

while, her mouth and body

since I saw you. Nearl

drew away

her, over his shoulder, "I have never b

, freed herself, and, retaining his hand in both

quisite impudence about what you've done! Did you mean to gently and

ou wonderful little thing-you darling!" He caught her to h

ectly dear study of Miller's kiddies! Oh, it is too lo

t; it's yours

nt she looke

im to lead her from canvas to canvas, approved them or remained silent, and present

comfortable, Duane?" s

tly," h

d signed for him to seat himself. Then she dropped to her knees and set

to tell you," she

things?" he

er

t; I am l

he window, where green tree-tops swayed in the breezy

been very-go

ed the smile that twitched

sweet and untainted as-as you deserve.... I can'

, half laughing, half serious. "You ar

rything. I couldn't rest unless

confidences are not necessary. Nor am I fit t

don't want to have any secrets from you, Duane. I want to go to you as guiltless as confessi

ect me to tell you? Do you

had expected it. Something in his

ut men, Duane. Are there th

r two,

until after w

There is no use

r considered

t I to kn

miserably, "

oughtfully at space, then pressed her pale face aga

ur own way," she said. "There is only one wa

to betting and gambling and foolish language; and last, but most shameful, her secret and perilous temporising with a habit which already was making self-denial very difficult for her. She did not spare herself; she told him everything, searching the secret recesses of her heart for some small sin in hiding, some fault, perhaps, over

l only by the decalogue. Of indolence, selfishness, unkindness, she accu

ngely untainted, amid a society where innocence was the exception, doubtf

rs as her voice ceased

ith a slight nestling movement, tu

ill subdue what threatens me. But I am

to steady

ems to tempt you," he asked;

; then something stirs it up in me, begins to annoy me; or the desire comes sometimes when I am excited or very happy, or very miserable. There seems to be some degra

and took her

l you? Simply tell

st uttered, the exaltation of confession still thrilling her, that she could hesitate? Was it

t, Ger

yself! Let me promise myself again-and keep my word

emporises, trying to convince others and over-ride the inward voice; her s

were not forbidden-if I had your confidence and my own that I would not abuse

think

d of losing you-for, Duane, until I am mistress of myself, I will never, never marry you-and do you suppose I am going

, then slowly came back to where he was s

adfully mortified. Do you love me?... Even after my horrid confessions?... Oh, you darling!... Now that you know the very worst, I begin to feel as clean and f

s hands, freed herself with a brea

n his pockets, face to face with the past. And that which lay behind him was