Master of the Vineyard

rysta

unc

te, Lady

a smile. "Only five minutes, and it

said that those who are five minutes late do more to u

ver coffee service. "One lump or two?" she inqu

, pl

ad been at the table, waiting for him, since th

d dinner an affair of high state. Madame herself always appeared at dinner suitably clad, and, more

ic of S

d presented himself at the dinner hour in the serviceable garb of every day, she had refused to go

hted up the polished surfaces of old mahogany, woke forgotten gleams from the worn old silver, a

By some subtle trickery with the lace curtain that hung at the open window, it laid an arabesque of delicate shadow upon the polished floor. In the room beyond, where Madame's cr

her grey gown, and deepened the violet shadows in her eyes. It threw into vivid relief the cameo that fastened the lace at her throat, rested for a moment up

of a

it. Madame noted, with loving approval, how it illumined the dark depths of his eyes and sh

your though

oung. You look so much like your father sometimes that it is as though the clock had turned back for him and I had gon

ping himself to a crisp muffin. "What tales

desires to keep the year for ever at the Spring. Each season has its own beauty-its own charm. We would tire of violets and apple-bl

e Break

the fact remains that you're not old and never will be. You're

ty, but the delicate pink flush that bloome

y?" he asked, as they

house plant, you know, a

new books

erday, but I haven't

t lot. There wasn't a thing I could ask Rosemary to

t, after all, like the old

he paused before the window overlooking the vineyard, on the other side of th

n's

aressing hand upon his shoulder. "It's almost time to begin

ouch. "Mother," he began, "let's have it out

and figure. In a moment she had grown old, but presently, with an effort, she r

t eternally broken into by these everlasting hills. I'd like to know that dinner wouldn't always be ready at seven o'clock-in fact, I'd like sometimes not to

m a man," he cried, "and I want to do a man's work in the world and take a man's place. Just because my ancestor

le

chirped shrilly. A passing breeze came through the open window and tinkled the pri

s you say, I have no right t

ith swift remorse. "D

t on, clearing her throat. "There is no chance for anyone to misunderstand you. I am very sorry that I-I have

ding. "Mother! Oh, Mother!" he whispered.

ted. "Now I do mi

you mean? Of course

t on, choosing her words carefully, "that I had no right to keep you chain

Own

without you, and leave you alon

er," she resumed, "we belong here. Dead hands built this house, dead hands laid out that vineyard, dead hands have given

h rising passion. "You were det

d, with lips tha

eferred to have the vineyard master you. Confronted with an uncongenial task, you slunk away from it and shi

he murmured

income decreasing. We are living now on less than half of what we had when you took charge of the vineyard. Last year the grapes were so poor that I was ashamed t

ame o

temples and he cringed vi

d your mother. I put no obstacles in your path-you may go when and where you choose. I only ask you to remember

doing. When you have proved yourself capable, another task will be given you, but not before. You hate the vineyard because you cannot raise good

en there. I want to do something gre

long

difficult steps-not by leaps and bounds. You must learn the multiplication tab

hat, why wouldn't

family, I did it in good faith. When I was married, I came here, my children were born here, your father an

r in her lips as she said the last words. Alden stood at t

en I go, Mothe

e murmured, but her heart began

ide in the course of the day

in her chair with her eyes closed, exhausted by the stress of emotion. The maid came in for orders, she gave them mechanic

ictur

lden should go away and leave her when they two were alone in the world, and, as he

e eternal stillness, "even as the beads of a told rosary." Since the day she met Alden's father, everything

derly, brushed the blue velvet that lined it, and kissed the pictured face behind the gl

ble from an old picture, the face was that of the boy who had left her a few hours ago. The deep, dark eyes, the regular fe

an Sh

ltering instinct had extended even to the man she loved. He had been outwardly strong and self-confident, assured, self-reliant, even severe with others, but behind the bol

nowing how surely he depended upon her. He was more than forty when he died, yet to he

orn son, with an older daughter, who had been named Virginia, for her mother. Virginia would have been thirty-two now, and probably married, with children of her own. The second

se of M

ows, old joys and old loves came toward her; forgotten hopes and lost dreams. Hands long since mingled with the dust clasped hers once more with perfect understanding-warm lips were crushed upon hers with the

long afternoon wore away, she reproached herself bitterly for her harshness. There h

not as yet taken back. Perhaps, after all, he knew best, for have not men led and women f

n the Cry

o the room by another window, and chanced upon the crystal ball. Mad

had gazed into the crystal and seen the little white coffin that, a week later, was carried out of the front door. Again, she had seen

all. For a time there was darkness, then confused images that meant nothing, then at las

urbed. Was the solution of their problem, the

s of the woman's hair. A faint memory of the hair persisted; she had never seen anything quite like it. Was it brown, or

's De

uld go too. And when Alden had found his woman with the red hai

e forgot to light the candles on the mantel when the room became too dark to see.

ts. "Mother!" he called, vaguely alarmed. Then

ong the mantel-shelf for matches. "I'm sorry I forgot the candle

"I know it's late," he said, apologetically, "and I'

tall head down and kissed him, forgetting all about the c

air Ad

as you want me to, Lady Mother. I have

d him again. "I must

under discussion. Outwardly all was calm and peaceful, as deep-flowing waters may hide the rocks be

haired woman whom she had seen in the crystal ball. And they were not going away, after all! Madame felt that she had in

ve on in the old house alone, looking after the hated vineyard and te

pon him, Alden looked up from h

u to marry and bring me a daughter. I want

me's

ed, too, as she continued her solitaire, but, none the less, she dreamed that night that the house was