The San Francisco call., 1904-10-09

Kent went to the telephone and ca-lea
nm the brentwood apartments. IL was
Penelope that answered
We'll. I think you owe il, she De
gan as soon as he had given ms naIle. NJ.
What did I do at Miss Van BROCK
TO make you cut me dead
Why. nothing at all, I'm sure. II
was looking for Mr.. Ormsoy, and
Not when 1 saw you" she hrOke
in fiippantIy. You were handing
Miss Portia an ice. Are you still look
ing for Mr.. Ormsby?'
Il am-just that. Is he with you
NO; he left here about twenty
minutes ago. Is it anything serious
Serious enough TO make me want
to find him as quick as 1 can. Did
he say he was coming down 20 the
Wellington ?"
.Of course he didn't" laughed Pen
elope. And then, Whatever is the
matter with you this evening, Mr..
Kent?"
i guess I'm little excited said
Kent something has happened
something 1 can't talk about over the
wires. 1t concerns you ana your
mother and sister. You'll know all
about it as soon as can find Ormsby
and send him out to YOU
.Penelope's oh" was long drawn
and gasping.
rs any one dead - she faItered.
No, no; it's nothing of that kind
III send Ormsby out and he will tell
you all about it,"
Cant you come YOURSELF"
Il may have to if / can't find Orms-
by. Please don't let your mother go
to bed until you have heard from one
or the other of us. Did you get that ."
Ye-es; but / should like to know
mora great deal more"
L know, and I'D like to tell you.
But / am using the public telephone
here at the wellington and-Oh.
damn!" Central had cut him out and
it was some minutes before the con-
nection was switched in again.
rs that you, Miss Penelope? All
right; / wasn't quite through. When
Ormsby comes, you must do as he tells
you to, and you and Miss Elinor must
help him convince your mother. Do
you understand"
mo. 1 don't understand anything.
For goOdnes sake. find Mr. Ormsby
and make him run! This is perfectly
dreadful
Isn't it? And I'm awfulIy sorry.
od-by."
Kent hung up the receiver, and when
he was asking a second time at the
clerks desk for the missing man.
Ormsby came in to answer for himself.
WhereupOn the crisis was outlined TO
him in brief phrase. and he rose to the
occasion, though not without a grim
ace
I'm not sure just how we'll you
know Mrs. Hepzibah Brentwood" ;" he
demurred; but it will be quite like her
to balk. Don't you think you'd better
go along? You are the company's at
torney. and your opinion ought to
carry some weight"
David Kent thought not; but a eau
tious diplomatist. having got the idea
we'll into the hack part of his head, was
not to be denied.
"Of course. you'll come. You are just
the man I'll need to back me up. 1
shan't shirk; I'll take the mother into
the library and break the ice. while you
are squaring things with the young
women Penelope won't care the snap
of her finger either way; but Elincr
has some notions that you are filter to
cope with than I am. After. if you
can give me a lift with Mrs. Hepzibah,
I'll call you in. Come on; it's getting
pretty late to go visiting"
Kent yielded reluctantly. and they
took a car for the sake of speed 1t was
Penelope who opened the door for
made it easy for his cOadjutCr, as lie
had promised.
Il want to see your mother in the
library for few minutes" he began.
will you arrange it, and take care of
MIR. Kent until come for hin?''
Penelope arranged" it. not without
another added pang of curiosity.
whereupon David Kent found himself
the rather embarrassed third of a
silent trio gathered about the embers
of the sitting-room fire.