CHAPTER XVII
FAREWELL
ABOUT a week later Captain MacDonnell arrived at the Rainbow Ranchaccompanied by a man servant who waited upon him. He looked better thanany of his friends had anticipated.
Since there was so much sorrow in the world at the present time, Jackand Frank had made up their minds that they would not let their owninfluence other people more than they could avoid. Moreover, they hadfound each other again at just the right moment and were more devoted,more united than ever before. Frank explained his own change of attitudeto his wife, but all the events of the past seemed small in comparisonwith their loss.
It was Frieda who for a while seemed the more outwardly inconsolable.
Actually the Professor came one day in distress to Jack herself.
"My dear Jack, I don't know what I shall do with my little Frieda whenyou have gone home to England!" he exclaimed. For it had been decidedthat Jack and Jimmie were to return home when Frank did.
"But you will both be coming over soon," Jack answered, showing no signthat it might be strange under the circumstances to expect her tocomfort Frieda.
The Professor did not see this. He really saw very little else in theworld except his wife and his work.
"We may not be able to come for several months. In the meantime if shefrets herself ill?"
Jack promised to talk to her sister.
One evening when Frieda complained of a headache and did not come downto dinner, Jack went up to her.
She found her sister lying on a couch and looking very young and sweet.
"You are not to worry too much on my account, Frieda dear," Jack began.
"I am not supposed to be unselfish," Frieda murmured.
But Jack paid no attention to her speech. "Perhaps you'll have a babysome day yourself, dear."
At this Frieda pulled her sister down and whispered something in herear. Jack's face flushed.
"I should be happier than anything! Remember you and Henry are to cometo us as soon as it can be arranged."
A few days later Lord and Lady Kent with their little boy left for theEast. They were to stop a few days in Washington and then sail.
Not long afterwards Frieda and the Professor also went away from theranch, as Professor Russell had a good many things to look after andFrieda would not be separated from him.
As Ralph Merritt had arrived for a visit, Jean's attention was occupiedwith him. So as a matter of fact Captain MacDonnell was rather left toOlive's care.
At first it did not seem a large duty simply to try and keep CaptainMacDonnell amused and she had wanted to do something. But Olive had notreckoned with her task.
Captain MacDonnell was an Irishman and a Scotchman, which means he wasable to be very gay and also very melancholy. And always in times past,when his melancholy mood had taken hold on him, he could mount his horseand ride the spectre away, or else engage in some other active outdooroccupation.
But here he was still so young a man, with all his future before him,and compelled to sit all day in a wheeled chair, or else hobble about oncrutches.
It has not been the illness that has been hardest for the soldiers tobear, but oftentimes this coming back to accept with resignation a newkind of life.
Yet Captain MacDonnell tried to be patient, tried to let no one guesswhat he was suffering at thus having his career ended so soon, and beingalso unable to go on with the service to his country which he so longedto give.
But Olive, who had always more of a gift for sympathy than any one ofthe Ranch girls, appreciated what he was enduring more than she evenrevealed to him.
She had been reading him a volume of Kipling one day, and happening toraise her eyes, saw that he was not listening. She even stopped a fewmoments and found that he was unaware of it.
When Captain MacDonnell did discover his own absorption, he turned toOlive with a charming smile.
"Forgive me," he explained. "I do not intend to be ungrateful, indeed Iam more grateful than I know how to express. But those stories of Indiastarted me to thinking of the first years I was out there. It is astrange country, India. I don't think we western people understand it."
He and Olive were sitting on the Lodge verandah.
Olive nodded, "I do understand what you must feel and I do wish therewas something else to interest you."
Then she remained silent. After all Captain MacDonnell could not go onin idleness like this. There must be something he could find to do, somereal thing. Poorer men were learning trades. It would be better for himto do this if only he could be persuaded to feel enough interest.
Olive did not realize she was frowning.
Suddenly she exclaimed.
"Look here, Captain MacDonnell, didn't I hear Frank say once that youused to be fond of drawing when you were a small boy, that you were onceundecided whether to be an artist or a soldier?"
Captain MacDonnell smiled. "I believe so, I've an idea I was a prettyconceited youngster and would have made as much of a failure at one asI have of the other."
But Olive refused to pay any attention to this speech.
For a moment Captain MacDonnell forgot himself thinking of howattractive Olive looked.
He had not remembered thinking of this especially when they had met inEngland, only that she was unusual looking and not in the least like anAmerican or English woman. It was almost as if she might be Spanish.Captain MacDonnell also had some Spanish blood farther back in his ownfamily, when the Spanish were the great voyagers and visited and settledon the coasts of Ireland.
But Olive went on talking.
"I do wish you would undertake the drawing again, it might at leastamuse you, and there are so many interesting people and scenes you couldattempt out here."
Captain MacDonnell shook his head.
"I'm afraid the time has gone by for that," he returned.
But Olive had a kind of gentle, sensible persistency that nearly alwayswins its way.
"Still, there wouldn't be any harm in just seeing if it might amuseyou," she went on. "I am sure it would be a kind of relief."
Captain MacDonnell again looked at Olive. Her deep toned skin was softlyflushed and her dark eyes brilliant with earnestness.
He laughed a little. "Of course it will, a relief to you, so for thatreason I'll attempt it. But on one condition?"
Olive flushed a little with embarrassment, since she had never whollygotten over her shyness. However, she realized that Captain MacDonnellwas teasing her. He did very often when he was in a gay humor and Olivefelt it was good for her, as she was too inclined to be grave.
"What is the condition?" she inquired. "Of course it will be relief tome to know you are happier," at which Captain MacDonnell felt that Olivehad scored.
"Why, that I won't have to keep on calling you Miss Van Mater. It is toomuch of a name, just as mine is."
Captain MacDonnell was doubtful as to how Olive would receive thissuggestion. She seemed more formal than the rest of the family and hehad thought her colder until her great kindness to him. Now he at leastknew better than to misunderstand her shyness for coldness, as a goodmany people did.
Olive replied perfectly naturally.
"Of course I will. The truth is I have always thought of you as Bryan,as Jack and Frank always talked of you by this name."
His promise would have really passed out of Captain MacDonnell's mind ifOlive had not supplied him with a great variety of drawing materialswithin a few days, which she had taken a good deal of trouble to securefor him.
But as a matter of fact she was really surprised to discover how muchtalent he had. But then Captain MacDonnell used to work for many hourseach day, so that it was not long before his former facility came backto him. More than this, he discovered to his own surprise as well, thathe could do a great deal better work than he had as a boy. Somehow theskill must have developed in him unheeded as he was growing older.
She came out on the lawn one afternoon and discovered Captain MacDonnellat work a little d
istance off.
He had evidently persuaded one of the cowboys to pose for him, as theman and his horse were standing in a picturesque attitude only a fewfeet away.
Olive walked over to them and stood studying the drawing until CaptainMacDonnell turned round to speak to her.
"Why don't you say it is good?" he demanded boyishly. "You know I'vehalf an idea it is."
Olive nodded enthusiastically.
"It's like Remington."
Captain MacDonnell laughed. "Not quite. Still I am getting on. But itseems to me you are neglecting me lately. I say, suppose you pose forme. That would be ripping. You won't be sensitive if I don't make muchof a go just at first."
For a moment Olive hesitated. Then it struck her that she would enjoysitting outdoors in the early autumn sunshine for a few hours each daywith her friend. For Captain MacDonnell had become her friend by thistime, she had no doubts on this point. Moreover, she had made up hermind she must soon go away. She had planned to take a course in nursingso as to fit herself to be more useful, and there was really no reasonfor further delay.
She happened to mention this fact to Captain MacDonnell one day and itwas remarkable after that what a time he took to finish his sketch.
The truth was the artist made not one sketch but half a dozen.
Jim and Ruth were delighted with his success, so that Captain MacDonnellfinally persuaded Olive to allow him to attempt a painting.
The work was undertaken inside the Lodge living room. Olive was dressedin an old gold silk, and the artist insisted that she needed abackground of strange oriental colors.
One end of the great room was therefore changed into a studio.
Fortunately Ruth and Olive had still in their possession a number oflovely old silks and draperies which the Ranch girls had brought backfrom their trip to Italy many years before.
One day, after he had been working for about a month, Olive slippedquietly into the studio without the artist's hearing her. She found himsitting before his easel smoking, but frowning and looking less happythan he had in some time.
But as he caught sight of Olive his expression changed.
"I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you for making me solovely? I don't mind being handed down to posterity in such adelightfully untruthful picture," Olive remarked gayly.
"Oh, it's untruthful enough," Captain MacDonnell answered. "It is wellyou came in just when you did, as I was thinking of making an end ofit."
"Then I shouldn't have forgiven you."
Captain MacDonnell nodded.
"That is what I was afraid of, that and that you would not be willing tosit for me again."
Olive laughed. "Oh, you must get hold of someone more attractive than Iam for the next portrait. After a while, as you are so much better,you'll be wanting to go back to London to work seriously. You know youhave promised me that?"
Captain MacDonnell shook his head.
"No," he returned. "Oh, I don't mean that I did not promise, I only meanthat I shall probably not keep my word. I think I shall give up andallow myself to become a kind of good for nothing, half invalid, as soonas I am separated from you."
However, as she had by this time grown accustomed to her companion'sswift changes of mood, so unlike her own, Olive only laughed?
"Shall I pose for you again today?"
Then there was silence in the room for half an hour while Bryan worked.Finally he put down his brushes.
"I am no good for work today, Olive. The truth is I want to saysomething to you and I don't know whether I have the right.
"Olive!"
For an instant Olive changed color. Then she answered.
"I can hardly imagine anything you haven't the right to say to me,Bryan. You often talk of your gratitude for what I have done for you.But I wonder if you know what you have done for me? I have never had sokind a friend except Jack. It is always difficult for me to think of heras Lady Kent."
"But I am not your friend," Bryan returned brusquely, "and it is aboutthat and about Lady Jack I want to talk to you. The truth is it's absurdto call a man your friend when he loves you. Of course I feel I am notall of a man these days and I have not much money and my art may nevercome to anything."
"Any more disqualifications, Bryan?" Olive asked softly. Perhaps she wasnot altogether surprised at what she was at present hearing.
"Oh yes, a great many," Captain MacDonnell returned, "only I think Iwon't tell you about them just now."
"And what has Jack to do with what you wish to say to me?" Olive asked,and this time spoke more seriously.
"Oh, she has nothing at all to do with it now," Captain MacDonnellreturned. "Only once upon a time before I met you, I used to think LadyJack was the most attractive woman I had ever known. I used also tobelieve that as long as Frank had gotten ahead of me I never wished tomarry. But I suppose the real fact was that I wanted one of what LadyJack told me you called yourselves? The Ranch Girls, wasn't it? Only Ihad not seen the real one in those days."
"Look here, Bryan, you need not think I ever forget you are anIrishman," Olive laughed. "Yet I think I like your flattery."
However, Captain MacDonnell was waiting for another kind of answer, andafter a little Olive gave him the one he desired.
So began for Olive, what still remains, in spite of all the otheradventures in life, the great adventure of marriage.
CHAPTER XVIII
"UNDER TWO FLAGS"
ON an afternoon in summer nearly a year later, two flags might be seenflying from the towers of Kent House.
Over the English meadows the wind blew softly, but strongly enough towhip the flags out straight so that from some distance one could see theBritish Lion and the Stars and Stripes.
Since Olive's engagement to Captain MacDonnell, the United States hadentered the war and was now one of the great Allies.
Inside Kent House there was a peculiar atmosphere of excitement andexpectancy.
The house was filled with flowers from the big garden, a profusion ofroses and the simpler flowers for which England is famous, wall flowers,daisies, sweet-peas and canterbury bells, named in honor of the greatCathedral at Canterbury.
In the dining room, which opened just back of the library, the table wasalready laid for dinner.
Evidently there was to be a gala occasion, and yet this was unusual, forsince the war began there had been few entertainments at Kent House orin any great English home.
Nevertheless Lady Kent herself presently came into the dining room andlooked with the deepest interest at the beautiful table, touching thingshere and there and making slight alterations in the arrangement of theflowers.
The table was in white except for a stripe of rose-colored satin throughthe center and a bowl of pink roses.
Jack had on a house dress of some soft white material, as she was notwearing mourning and had not worn it after Vive's death. There was toomuch black being used in the world.
She was standing still for a moment, frowning slightly, but withinterest, not dissatisfaction, when another person entered and came upbeside her.
"I have been taking a long walk, Jack, trying to get rid of myrestlessness and to make the time pass more swiftly. I wish you had beenwith me. But how beautiful your place is! I don't see how you havemanaged to keep things in such splendid condition with so many of yourmen at the front. I have been talking to some real English dairymaidsdown in the left paddock. They made me think of the stories and nurseryrhymes we used to read when we were children. Then England seemed as faraway from the old Wyoming ranch as the planet Mars. However, I am thelast one of the Ranch Girls to visit you in England. Ralph's work hasmade our coming to you impossible before and now the war has brought usto this side of the world, for how long none of us can say. Have youheard anything from Frieda?"
Lady Kent shook her head slowly.
She was watching Jean and at the same time thinking how pretty anduntroubled she looked. Jean's marriage to Ralph Merritt seemed to haveturned out an unqual
ified success. Ralph had come to be known as aleading American engineer, but now had given up all the other work hehad been engaged in to offer his services as an engineer to France. AndJean had left her little girl at home with Jim and Ruth at the RainbowRanch so that she could be nearer her husband.
"I wish Frieda had not gone to London today. Suppose something happensand she is not back in time for our dinner! Then everything will bedisarranged. We cannot have our dinner party tomorrow, for by that timewe will have separated again. Tomorrows are uncertain quantities thesedays, aren't they?" And Jean's expression changed for an instant.
But Jack answered her quickly. This was to be Ralph Merritt's last nightin England for an indefinite time, as he was leaving for France the nextday, while Jean was to remain with Lord and Lady Kent.
"Oh, Frieda will be here on time; I don't think we need worry. You see,she is to go to his office and get hold of the Professor, else, Friedasays, if he chances to be especially interested in his work, he willforget all about our plan, and of course to have one of the eight of usmissing tonight would ruin everything." Again Jack glanced about herdinner table, which was laid for eight covers. "Still, I think Friedadoes Henry an injustice, for, in spite of the absorbing scientific workhe is doing, he is far less absent-minded than he used to be. And Inever saw a more attentive husband. Since Frieda's baby came I believehe regards her as more wonderful than ever."
As she finished speaking Jack laughed and Jean slipped her arm about heras they walked out of the dining room. Jean was thinking of anotherbaby, who had gone away before the new one came and of Jack'sinexhaustible courage. They had not realized in the old Rainbow Ranchdays that she had so much spiritual as well as physical courage.
"Well, I am glad Frieda has your old nurse for her baby, Jack, and isliving here with you, for I cannot take her seriously as a mother, neverhaving been able to realize thoroughly that she is properly and sedatelymarried. However, we at least have our guests of honor safe."
Lady Kent nodded in response.
"Yes, I have just seen Olive. She and Bryan are both resting, so as toget the most out of their wedding dinner tonight. It was wise of them tocome up so early from London this morning. I declare, Jean, it is one ofthe most beautiful things that ever happened for Olive and Bryan to havemarried.
"Just from a selfish standpoint you can't imagine what it will mean tohave Olive living so near me. I have so missed my family!"
Smiling Jean shook her brown head thoughtfully.
"At present there is not much danger of your missing your family forsome time to come, dear. You and Frank will probably grow exceedinglytired of them. Now I must go upstairs to rest for a while myself. Idon't wish to have Ralph decide tonight that he is the least fortunateof the four husbands."
Jean Merritt went on ahead, Jack seeing her disappear, and then stoppingfor a moment to speak to her butler.
Although it was to be only a family party tonight, she was taking farmore interest in the arrangements for her dinner than she had ever beenknown to do before for the most formal occasions.
But then this dinner was to be unusual, since it was the first time thefour old-time Ranch Girls had ever been her own and her husband's guestsat Kent House. Moreover, their husbands were also with them, even Oliveand Captain MacDonnell, who had been married only a few weeks.
Nearly a year had passed since Olive's and Captain MacDonnell'sengagement, although the wedding had not taken place until the presentsummer. The scene of the marriage was the Rainbow Ranch, with only Jimand Ruth, their children, and a few friends present, since the rest ofthe family were in Europe. But immediately after the ceremony Olive andBryan had decided to risk the dangers of sailing for home and had landedsafely in England only the day before.
Having spent the night in London, they had come directly to Kent House,knowing that Jack planned a family party in their honor.
A good many months before, Frieda and her Professor had arrived at KentHouse, so that Frieda's baby might be born with Frieda in her sister'scare. Moreover, the Professor was working harder than ever, since hisown country had entered the war, to accomplish certain scientificdiscoveries which should counteract the German terrorism.
A little more than an hour later Lady Kent was slowly getting ready fordinner. She wished to be dressed first and downstairs ready to receiveher family.
Nevertheless she was frowning and looking slightly disturbed.
She had left word that she was to be informed as soon as her sister,Mrs. Russell, returned from London. In the meantime she knew a trainhad arrived from town, yet no word came to her.
Jack was about to ring the bell and find out if her order had beenforgotten, when a light knock came at the door and her husband entered.
"I came out early, Jack, dear, in order to do honor to your party and Imanaged to corral the two other husbands, Ralph and the Professor, sothere need be no delay. It is good to be at home now and then."
Frank had looked a little tired, but his face cleared at the sight ofhis wife. Jack was very beautiful in a white evening gown. The frock wasnot new, since she was buying nothing of the kind during the war, but itwas the handsomest one she owned and the most becoming. She had plannedwith Jean and Frieda that they were to look as well as possible, sincethe dinner was to be one they would never forget. Moreover, Olive was abride and they must also do her honor.
Since the change in government Frank Kent had been made a member of theWar Cabinet and devoted most of his time to the great intellectuallabors it demanded of him. Frequently it was impossible for him toreturn more than two or three times a week to Kent House.
As Jack kissed her husband her expression lightened.
"I would like to give a dinner party every night, Frank, if I thought itwould bring you home. Are things going well?"
Then, as Frank nodded his head gravely (he and Jack did not oftendiscuss details of his work, since government secrets were not to bementioned even with her), she added, with a little sigh partly of reliefand partly vexation:
"Well, thank goodness you got hold of Frieda! Jean has been worrying forfear Frieda would get lost in London and not come back in time. Yearsago, when we first came to Europe, Frieda had a tiresome fashion ofdisappearing and getting us all into a dreadful state of mind for fearshe might be permanently lost. Then she usually turned up quite blandlywith some agreeable person who had discovered her."
"But, Jack dear," Frank interrupted, as soon as his wife gave him theopportunity, "Frieda did not come home with us. Indeed, neither theProfessor nor I had any idea except that she was with you."
Jack changed color.
"Oh, dear, I do wish Frieda would come in! What do you suppose couldhave happened to her, Frank? She only went into London to attend to somemysterious errand which she insisted was very important. I know shewould not have stayed so late unless something unavoidable had kept her.Besides our party, she has never been away from her baby so long."
Man-like, Frank did not appear particularly agitated.
"Oh, Frieda will turn up all right. The good fates have her in charge."Then he disappeared to begin his own toilet.
Finishing her toilet as quickly as possible, Jack hurried downstairs.
There was no train now from London until after eight o'clock and dinnerhad been ordered for half-past seven.
In the hall Jack discovered her Professor brother-in-law wanderingdisconsolately about. He wore a mystified and slightly harassed air.
"Do you know, Jack, I am unable for some reason to find Frieda. She isnot in her bedroom and not in the nursery. Nurse is unable to give meany information concerning her, save that she left early in the day forLondon. Curious that she did not telephone me. Will you please find herfor me? She gave me certain instructions about dressing for dinnertonight, which, as a matter of fact, I have forgotten. Am I to wear anevening or a dinner coat?"
The distinguished Professor looked so uncertain and so uncomfortablethat Jack laughed in spite of her own anxiety and annoyance
. However,she hated to confide Frieda's disappearance to her husband, knowing hewould be frightened about her.
She was hesitating as to what to reply when there was a sudden noise atthe front door. Opening it, an excited and somewhat disheveled FriedaRussell rushed in and up to her husband.
"Oh, Henry dear, do let me have two pounds, won't you, at once. I knowit is dreadful to be so extravagant, but so many things have happened tome! I had to wait and wait for the things I just had to have for tonightand then I missed the last train. I wasn't going to spoil our dinnerparty and so I took a taxi the entire way out from London. I know thecabby is robbing me, but he did come very fast and I haven't a greatdeal of my own money left."
The Professor shook his head, not fully understanding all that Friedawas saying so hurriedly. But he produced the two pounds and went out tosettle with his wife's cabman, while Frieda rushed upstairs, callingdown over the balustrade:
"How is my adored baby, Jack? I have nearly died being separated fromher such hours! Don't worry, I'll be ready in time for dinner."
Not long after, Frank and Jack were in their library waiting for theirguests to appear.
Olive and Captain MacDonnell slipped in quietly before the others.
Olive was wearing her wedding gown. But as the affair had been a quietone, owing to the war and to Captain MacDonnell's injury, it was asimple dress of white silk and chiffon.
Except for her husband's wedding gift, a brooch of emeralds and diamondsin the form of a shamrock, she wore no jewels.
Captain MacDonnell was still lame, would probably always remain so.Nevertheless Jack and Frank thought they had never seen their old friendlooking better or handsomer. Olive's shyness, her seriousness, seemedjust the spur his Irish wit and gayety needed.
"I do hope, Bryan, you and Olive are going to stay on at home for a timenow you are safely here," Lord Kent remarked, stretching himself lazilyin a great arm chair and glancing with an admiration he made no effortto conceal from his wife to Olive. "Jack more or less needs some one tolook after her, since I am giving so much time to my war work I amhaving to neglect my family."
Olive flushed slightly. She knew Frank had not intended it, could notdream how sensitive Captain MacDonnell was over the thought that hecould no longer be of service to his country at a time when she sorequired the knowledge and effort he had once been so gallantly readyand able to give.
"Oh, I shall be at home the greater part of the time, and Bryan wheneverit is possible for him," Olive answered quickly. "But Bryan has alreadypromised to begin _camouflage_ work for the government within the nextfew days. We were not in London very long, but were there long enough tosee a few of Bryan's old friends. They asked him if he would not havehis commission transferred to the camouflage corps, as they needed himat once. I suppose he will be able to do some of the painting here inEngland. But later Bryan will probably have to go over to France to findout what is required of him."
"Bully, Bryan! I had not thought of that," Lord Kent answered, appearingas tremendously gratified as if he himself had first conceived the ideaof this work for his friend. He went on to explain to his mystifiedhearers that _camouflage_ consisted of painted artificial scenery usedto conceal artillery or other important positions from the enemyairplanes, and that Bryan was especially fitted to engage in this workon account of his military knowledge and artistic ability.
But at this moment Jean and Ralph Merritt joined the little group.
No one spoke of Frieda's being the last to appear, since this had alwaysbeen her custom so long as the other Ranch Girls could recall.
Jean Merritt wore her favorite rose color, a dress of satin with anoverdress of tulle. And in spite of all the flowers blooming in Kentgarden, Ralph had not forgotten to bring her a box from London of thedeep pink roses she had always loved.
However, before dinner was announced the Professor strolled placidly in,garbed in entirely proper evening clothes.
"Frieda says if you will be kind enough to wait dinner for her a fewmoments, she will be with you almost at once. There was some littleerrand, some little commission she still wished to attend to before weleave the library."
The Professor sat quietly down, asked Frank Kent an important questionconcerning the war and straightway fell into earnest conversation.
However Frieda did make her appearance within a short time. She wasdainty and lovely as ever in a misty, pale blue gown, but, unlike herusual self, she seemed a little embarrassed and apologetic.
The four Ranch Girls and their husbands went into dinner together.Perhaps it was absurd that they should feel any especial emotion over sosimple a matter as having their first dinner party with one anothersince their marriages.
Nevertheless it was true that each girl in her own fashion did feel thisemotion.
Since Jack's and Jean's few moments in the dining room some hoursbefore, a slight change had taken place in the decoration of the table.
Two little silk flags stood near the center; as a matter of courseunder the present circumstances, they were the American and the Britishemblems.
Lord Kent saluted before he sat down, nodding to Captain MacDonnell.
"To our international marriages!" he said. "Long may they wave!"
Then he turned to Frieda and Jean, the Professor and Ralph.
"And to our great American Ally!"
As the little party took their seats they observed a small white velvetbox near each plate.
Jack opened hers first and discovered inside a tiny pair of crossedflags set with jewels.
Glancing toward her husband, Lady Kent discovered that he appeared assurprised as she was at the unexpected souvenir of their dinner.
Then she chanced to catch sight of Frieda and Frieda's self-consciousexpression betrayed her. Moreover, her mission to London was explained.
"I move," announced the Professor gravely, "that we offer a toast firstto our wives and then to that beautiful and enduring land which has evermade the appeal of a woman to her lovers the world over. I mean, ofcourse, 'La belle France'."
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Text sometimes capitalizes Ranchwith Rainbow Ranch and sometimes does not. This was retained.
Page 27, "anenomes" changed to "anemones" (primroses and anemones)
Page 30, "soceity" changed to "society" (much for society)
Page 50, "unchangable" changed to "unchangeable" (the most unchangeable)
Page 61, "personall" changed to "personal" (her own personal)
Page 64, "hundreth" changed to "hundredth" (hundredth time, that her)
Page 77, "graciousnesss" changed to "graciousness" (graciousness abouthim)
Page 133, "prsented" changed to "presented" (then presented her)
Page 157, "every" changed to "ever" (no one ever pays)
Page 179, "uncertainity" changed to "uncertainty" (amount ofuncertainty)
Page 189, word "of" added to text (either side of the old)
Page 191, "every" changed to "ever" (who have ever really)
Page 214, "whispering" changed to "whispered" (whispered something inher)
Page 221, "persuded" changed to "persuaded" (MacDonnell finallypersuaded)
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