บทที่ บทที่ 20 · As Lester came down-stairs after making his toilet he found his

father in the library reading.

"Hello, Lester," he said, looking up from his paper over the top of

his glasses and extending his hand. "Where do you come from?"

"Cleveland," replied his son, shaking hands heartily, and

smiling.

"Robert tells me you've been to New York."

"Yes, I was there."

"How did you find my old friend Arnold?"

"Just about the same," returned Lester. "He doesn't look any

older."

"I suppose not," said Archibald Kane genially, as if the report

were a compliment to his own hardy condition. "He's been a temperate

man. A fine old gentleman."

He led the way back to the sitting-room where they chatted over

business and home news until the chime of the clock in the hall warned

the guests up-stairs that dinner had been served.

Lester sat down in great comfort amid the splendors of the great

Louis Quinze dining-room. He liked this homey home

atmosphere--his mother and father and his sisters--the old

family friends. So he smiled and was exceedingly genial.

Louise announced that the Leverings were going to give a dance on

Tuesday, and inquired whether he intended to go.

"You know I don't dance," he returned dryly. "Why should I go?"

"Don't dance? Won't dance, you mean. You're getting too lazy to

move. If Robert is willing to dance occasionally I think you

might."

"Robert's got it on me in lightness," Lester replied, airily.

"And politeness," retorted Louise.

"Be that as it may," said Lester.

"Don't try to stir up a fight, Louise," observed Robert,

sagely.

After dinner they adjourned to the library, and Robert talked with

his brother a little on business. There were some contracts coming up

for revision. He wanted to see what suggestions Lester had to make.

Louise was going to a party, and the carriage was now announced. "So

you are not coming?" she asked, a trifle complainingly.

"Too tired," said Lester lightly. "Make my excuses to Mrs.

Knowles."

"Letty Pace asked about you the other night," Louise called back

from the door.

"Kind," replied Lester. "I'm greatly obliged."

"She's a nice girl, Lester," put in his father, who was standing

near the open fire. "I only wish you would marry her and settle down.

You'd have a good wife in her."

"She's charming," testified Mrs. Kane.

"What is this?" asked Lester jocularly--"a conspiracy? You

know I'm not strong on the matrimonial business."

"And I well know it," replied his mother semi-seriously. "I wish

you were."

Lester changed the subject. He really could not stand for this sort

of thing any more, he told himself. And as he thought his mind

wandered back to Jennie and her peculiar "Oh no, no!" There was

someone that appealed to him. That was a type of womanhood worth

while. Not sophisticated, not self-seeking, not watched over and set

like a man-trap in the path of men, but a sweet little

girl--sweet as a flower, who was without anybody, apparently, to

watch over her. That night in his room he composed a letter, which he

dated a week later, because he did not want to appear too urgent and

because he could not again leave Cincinnati for at least two

weeks.

"MY DEAR JENNIE, Although it has been a week, and I have said

nothing, I have not forgotten you--believe me. Was the impression

I gave of myself very bad? I will make it better from now on, for I

love you, little girl--I really do. There is a flower on my table

which reminds me of you very much--white, delicate, beautiful.

Your personality, lingering with me, is just that. You are the essence

of everything beautiful to me. It is in your power to strew flowers in

my path if you will.

"But what I want to say here is that I shall be in Cleveland on the

18th, and I shall expect to see you. I arrive Thursday night, and I

want you to meet me in the ladies' parlor of the Dornton at noon

Friday. Will you? You can lunch with me.

"You see, I respect your suggestion that I should not call. (I will

not--on condition.) These separations are dangerous to good

friendship. Write me that you will. I throw myself on your generosity.

But I can't take "no" for an answer, not now.

"With a world of affection.

"LESTER KANE."

He sealed the letter and addressed it. "She's a remarkable girl in

her way," he thought. "She really is."