Katrine

ork. The road which leads from Charlotte toward the south branches by the Haunted Hollow, the right fork going to Carlisle and the le

built of gray stone, like a fort, with mullioned windows, the yellow glass of early colonial times still in the upper panes. But the show-places of the

ck to fall in with that impulsive monarch, and for no further service than the making of a rhyme, vile in meter a

d had grown to Ravenel man, educated abroad, taught to believe little in Americ

have their way where women were concerned. Indeed, this tradition had ancient authority, for on the stone mount

enels ry

e ye lad

ake a

reak a

ryde

ood in the great doorway, dinner dressed, the night after his return from the

ere markedly his: the brown hair and the wide gray eyes, which seemed to brood over a woman as though she were the only one to be desired-these had belonged to the Ravenel men f

ever the cause, women were forever falling in love with him, and the mention of his name from Newport News to New Orleans would but call forth t

e old brocade; on dingy armor of those who had fought with Charlie Stuart; on stately mahogany, old pewters, and on portraits of the fighting Ravenels of days long gone. There was Malcom, who died music-mad; D

est, most illogical little mother in all that mother-land of the South, regar

nwaring place, m

rson," Mrs. Ra

pose," Fran

venly! An Irishman; with black hair, very bla

interrupted, with a

alf a glass of whiskey at a gulp, an

red parent's idea of a heavenly perso

nge," she explained, and there came to her eyes a d

has-I suppose-a nam

tt McD

nly person als

a minute-"he is an internationa

," Frank returned.

have enough of the artist in me to be sa

," Frank i

le, he says, who want some information concerning those disputed mines. Added to his other attractions, he can talk in rh

e-a man's voice, musical, with an in

er addicte

the way o'

e a most ex

of tobacco

e doorway-a man tall and well set-up, in black riding-clothes, cap in hand, who saluted the two wit

orld through lashes so long they made a mistiness of shadow. He had the pallor of the Spanish Creole found frequently in the south of Ireland folk. His mouth was straight, the upper lip a bit fuller than the under one, as is the case when intellect predominates, and his hair w

There was a slight pause here as he regarded Mrs. Ravenel with open admiration. "And thank you for the beautiful verses, aski

iment and a kiss on the lips to Peggy of the Poplars; but in his heart it was to the deil wit

interwoven for so many years, they shook hands cordially enough, but there wa

rt, theatric, dominating personality; his superb self-consciousness; the decision of manner which comes only to those who have achieved, seemed to her prejudiced gaze admirable in themselves, but more admirable a

een them which caused a noticeable pause after the i

e, the two of you. And now"-putting his cap, gloves, and riding-whip on the window-ledge-"I'll have coffee if you'll offer it. Le

full what his mother had meant by the "charm of McDermott," for it was a thing none could deny, for the subtle Celt complimented the ones to

were home, Mr. Ravenel, and came early to see you with a purpose-two purposes, I might say. First, I wanted to

night, Mr. McDermot

ck Dulanys of the North, and we fought side by side at Ramazan. What a time! What a time! In the famous charge up the river, when we turned, I lost my horse, and in that backward plunge my life w

indow with the fixed gaze of on

eautiful creature I have ever seen-save one; and a voice-God! I heard her sing in Milan once. The king was there; the opera 'La Favorita.' She

as in an ecstas

er name?" F

gesture-"'tis a thing I swore never to mention. '

Ravenel's voice was full

dramatic pause, relishing his

nd the love of my life, I've come to ask that you be a bit lenient with him, Mr. Ravenel, at the times he has taken a drop too much, as your lady mo

s, it's over-generosity. You need have no fear for your friend,"

slender fingers, Dermott McDer

n having a son of t

e," Francis fi

're twenty-five-coming or goin

st birthd

rmott's eyes for a second

e going. Ye've found already, haven't ye, Ravenel, that the sound of my own voice is the music of heaven to my

is no

lowing, "I wish it had been Waterloo! I've always carr

Francis answered, with a smile. "You'd

rather have fought at Waterloo, even if I were dead now, so that I could tell you exactly how

ave a talk with you-a business talk-but not to-night." He waved the matter aside with a gay, outward movement of the hands.

ds courteous enough, but his eyes lacking warmth; and the intuitive Celt realize

htful mother! The top of the evening to both of ye." And with a considered m

t excell

of tobacco

horse's hoofs through the fading s

er eyes dancing with merry l

he? I wonder. Shrewd, cool-heade

ile which might not have been so mirthful had s

onger gayety in his manner or his face. The merry light had left his eyes, and in its

rew together as he spoke. "Handsome, too-with a knowledge of life. It's a pity!" he said. "It's