Stella Rosevelt — page 325: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“VOU ARE THE TRAITOR.” 319 sweet voice died away, and she turned to leave the stage, he leaned breathlessly forward to watch her, while thunders of applause went rolling up into the heights above him. She came back again after a moment, slightly flushed at the ezcore, but in a graceful, modest way, and sang a simple ballad. She was as sweet and charming as she could be, and when at length she ceased and went away again, Ralph Meredith heard a long-drawn breath, as of relief, directly behind him, while a voice said : ‘I believe Vivien ever sang so well before; but Iam glad that part of the programme is over.” ‘‘Ves,” replied deeper, but more familiar tones; ‘‘I was a trifle anxious myself, although I know she never fails in what she undertakes. Vivien is a jewel!” ‘You are right, Archie. So is my son; and I am surprised that, at your age, same one has not won you both away from me,” returned the lady, in suppressed, but fond and playful tones. | ‘“You are not anxious to get rid of either of us, I hope, mother?” | ‘‘No, indeed; and yet it would be expected in the natural course of events; and with so many fair maidens and gallant young gentlemen playing the agreeable to me, I cannot but feel some curiosity as to who will eventually get my treasures.” There was no reply to this speech, but Ralph was sure he heard a sigh. After a few moments he turned and ran his eye with seeming carelessness over the sea of faces behind him, glancing at those two to whose conversation he had just been listening. It was even as he had surmised when he heard that manly voice. Archibald Sherbrooke sat directly behind him, and beside him a noble, matronly looking woman whom he closely re- Eomicbooks (E(0)