Part 3 (2/2)
The newspaper photographer had caught for his sensational sheet an excellent likeness of a foreign visitor in whoreatly interested A picturesque personality--the prince--half distinguished gentleand in appearance, was depicted on a superb bay, and looked every inch a horseman Mr Heatherbloom continued to stare at the likeness; the features, dark, rather wild-looking, as if a trace of his ancient Tartar ancestry had survived the cultivating touch of ti man on the bench oncethe cut
”Reported engageareffthe prince has vast estates in Russia and Russia-Asia
his forbears were pro and the Cossacks and the Poles were engaged in constant strife on the steppe
Miss Dalrye is said to be deeply enamored, is niece and heiress of the eccentric Miss Van Rolsen, the third richest woman in New York, and, probably, in the world
Miss Dalryhter of Charles Dalryuson of the same place, at the time--”
The paper fell from Mr Heatherblooot up, unloosened his charges and moved on They naturally became once more ith joy, but he heeded not their exuberances; even Naughty's de touch of his hand, that now lifted to his breast and took so from his pocket--an article wrapped in a pink tissue-paper Mr Heatherblooers and looked steadily and earnestly at a miniature But only for a brief interval; by this ti and leading strings about Mr Heatherbloos So much so, indeed, that in the effort to extricate himself he dropped the tiny picture; with a sudden passionate exclaer that transfore seees but al the picture on his coat, he replaced it in his pocket and quietly started to disentangle his charges froth acco would have to be done all over again ere long; it constituted an important part of his duties The promenade was punctuated by about so many ”mix-ups”; Mr Heatherbloom accepted them philosophically, or absent- things, he usually exhibited ht have been noticed so his footsteps to Miss Van Rolsen's, betrayed a rather vacillating and uncertain o into, or to approach too near the old-fashi+oned stiff and stately house
For fear ofsome one, or a dread of some sudden encounter? With Miss Van Rolsen's niece? So far he had not seen her since that first day Perhaps he congratulated hiood fortune in this respect If so, he reckoned without his host
It is possible for two people to frequent the sa when one of them lives on the avenue side and flits back and forth via the front steps, while the other cooes only by the subterranean route; but, sooner or later, though belonging to widely different worlds, these two are bound to come face to face, even in spite of the deterency!
Mr Heatherbloo froes; he was no less watchfully alert when he returned He could not, however, having only five senses, tell when the front door ht be suddenly opened at an inopportune , on the third day of his probation at such athe newspaper article in the park, to tender his resignation that very afternoon!
It availed hi partly coerced by theas he had re to this end--the desire or determination, not to flee from what he most feared Empty bravado! If he could but flee now! But there was no fleeing, turning, retreating, or evading The issue had to be owned in a filure, came down the front steps as he was about to enter the area way below The girl looked at him and her eyes suddenly widened; she stopped Mr Heatherbloo in her look, or the first word that fell from her lips, held him
”You!” she said, as if she did not at all coard with less steady look; he had to say so and he didn't wish to Why couldn't people just ift of speech has its disadvantages--on occasions; it forces one to insufficient answer or superfluous explanation ”Yes,” he said, ”your--Miss Van Rolsen engaged me I didn't really want to stay, but it cas do, you know
You see,” he added, ”I didn't know she was your aunt when I answered the advertiseaze down upon hiht adornment of tints, the lovely face--it was a very proud face--had beco crystal
To Mr Heatherblooure, tensely poised, seely near and inexpressibly reed his mind and stood rather too stiffly, without support Before his eyes the flowers in her hat waved and waved; he tried to keep his eyes on the,” he observed in tones he endeavored to ht, ”to tell Miss Van Rolsen she must find some one else to take my place It would not be very difficult It is not a position that requires a trained man”
”Difficult?” She see the word; her cold eyes suddenly lighted with unutterable scorn If any one in this world ever experienced thorough disdain for any one else, her expression is!”
Mr Heatherbloos,” he ave an abrupt, frozen little laugh; then bent down her face slightly ”And do you wash and curl and perfuhtly after she spoke
”Well, I don't perfume them,” answered Mr Heatherbloom ”Miss Van Rolsen attends to that herself She knows the particular essences better than I” A slightly strained sled about his lips ”You see Beauty has one kind, and Naughty another At least, I think so While Sardanapolis isn't given any at all”
Can violet eyes shi+ne fiercely? Hers certainly see hi very remote and impersonal, ”did my aunt happen to employ--you? I know she is very particular--about recoed ones,” suddenly, ”or stolen ones?” The red lips like rosebuds had becohtly dra
”No,” answered Mr Heatherbloom ”I didn't have any I just cairl But there was no levity in her tone
She continued to gaze at hi beyond--afar--”I don't understand why she should have taken you--”