The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-12-30
CHAPTER Nv.
THE INVITATION EXTENDED.
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train was pulling into Wash
ington five hours late. Grenfall
wondered as he dressed whether for
tune would permit him to see much of
her during her brief day in the capital.
After the train had come to n stand
still he could hear the rustic of her gar
ments in the next compartment. Then
he heard her sweep into the passage,
greet her uncle and aunt, utter a few
commands to the maid, and, while he
was adjusting his collar and necktie,
pass from the car. No man ever made
quicker time in dressing than did Lor-
ry.
"She'Il get away, and that III be the
end Of it," he growled, selling his traps
and rushing from the train two min
utes after her departure. The porter
attempted to relieve him of his bags
OH the platform, but he brushed him
aside and was off toward the station.
mice time for you to call n man, you
IDIOT" was his parting shot for the por-
ter, forgetting Of course that the for
eigners had been called at the same
time. With eyes Intent on the crowd
in his disappointed flight. "Ill never
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waiting to himself. She was not to be
seen in the waiting rooms, so he rushed
to the sidewalk.
Baggage transferredf"
"Cab, sir"
"Go to the devil-yes, here! Take
these traps and checks and rush my
stuff to - w avenue. Trunks just
in on b. and o." he cried, tossing his
burdens to a transfer man md giving
him the checks SO quickly that the fell
lows sleepy eyes opened wider than
they had been for q month. Relieved
Of his impediments, he returned to the
station.
Good morning, Mr.. Lorry. Are you
in too much Of n hurry to see your
friends?" cried n clear, musical voice,
and he stopped as If shot. The anxious
frown flew from his brow and was sue
ceeded instantaneously by a glad smile.
He wheeled and beheld her, with Aunt
Yvonne, standing near the main en-
trance to the station. "Why, good MORN
ing" he exclaimed, extending his hand
gladly. To his amaZement she drew
herself up haughtily and ignored the
proffered hand. Only q brief second did
this strange and uncalled for hauteur
obtain. A bright smile swept over her
face, and her repentant fingers sought
his timidly, even ~awkwardly. Some
thing told him that she was not ac-
customed to h~andshaking; that same
something impelled him to bend low
and touch the gloved fingers with his
lips. He Strengthened, with face
flushed, half fearful lest his act had
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he had taken a liberty in q public place
which could not be condoned. But she
smiled serenely, approvingly. There
was not the faintest sign of embarrass-
ment or confusion in the lovely face.
Any other girl in the world, he thought,
would have jerked her hand away and
glggled f%uriously. Aunt Yvonne in
clined her head slightly, but did not
proffer her hand. He wisely refrained
from extending his own. ~ thought
you had left the station" he said.
w are waiting for Uncle Caspar,
who is giving Hedrick instructions.
Hedrick, you know, is to go or to New
York with our boxes. He will have
them aboard ship when we arrive
there. All that we nave with us is
hand luggage. We leave Washington
tonight"
II had hoped you might stay over for
a few days"
at is urgent business that compels
US to leave so hastily, Mr.. Lorry. OF
all the cities in the world, I have most
desired to see the capital of your
try. Perhaps 1 may return some day.
But do not let us detain you If you are
in n hurry"
He started, looked guilty, stammered
something about baggage, said he
would return in n moment, and rushed
aimlessly away, his ears fiery.
"I'm all kinds of a fool" he NUT
tered as he raced around the baggage
room and then back to where he had
left the two ladies'. Mr.. Guggenslocker
had Joined them, and they were prepar-
ing to depart. Miss Guggenslocker's
face expressed pleasure at seeing him..
1--WE thought you would never return,
30 long were you gone," she cried gay
ly. He had been gone just two min
utes by the watch. The old gentleman
greeted him warmly, and Lorry asked
them to what hotel they were going.
On being informed that they expected
to spend the day at the Ebbitt he vol
unteered to accompany them, saying
that he intended to breakfast there.
Quicker han q flash a glance unfath-
enable as it was brief passed between
the three, not quickly enough, however,
to escape his keen, watchful eyes, OH
the alert since the beginning Of his NC
quaintance with them, i'll conjunction
with his ears, to catch something that
might satisfy in a measure his burning
curiosity. What was the meaning of
hat glance? 1t half angered him, for
I'm it he thought he could distinguish
annoyance, apprehension, dismay or
something equally disquieting. Before
he could stiffen his long frame and
give vent to the digniied reconsidera-
ton that flew to his mind the young
lady dispelled all pain and dlspleasure,
sending him into raptures by saying:
GLOW good of you! We shall be so
delighted to have you breakfast with
lis, Mr.. Lorry, if 1t Is convenient for
you. You can talk to us of your won
derful city. / am sure we cannot trou-
bic you much longer"
He expostulated CALAMITY and de-
lightedly and then hurried forth to call
q cab. At 8 o'clock he breakfasted with
them, his ~infatuation growing deeper
and stronger as he sat for the hour be-
meath the spell Of those eyes, the glorl-
Gus face, the sweet, imperial air that