The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-04
SILAS MARINER.
CHAPTER v,

IA SILAS MAkNER.
CHAPTER ".
d, Godfrey left the room, hardly know
H. rhe,her he we're more relieved by
The sense that the interview vas ended.
or more uneasy that he had entansleo
,,imse,f still further In ''prevarication'
and deceit
Il outside Of the 'squire's household
punstan Cass's absence was hardly
subject Of remark. TO connect the fact
OF Dunstan's disappearance with that OF
the robbery occurring on the same day.
lay quite away from the track Of every
ones thought, even Godfrey, who had
better reason than any one else TO know
what his brother was capable Of.
3. In the meanwhile, poor Silas was
feeling tho whitening desolation Of that
bereavement about which his neighbors
we're arguing at their ease. AS he sat
weaving. he every now and then moaned
low like one In pain. lie spent his Christ
mas DAY in loneliness, eating his meat
lii sadness Of heart, though the meat had
come to him as a$neighborly present. And
he sat in his robbed home the livelpng
4 evening till 2i"the cold grasped him" and
told him that his fire was gray. s
At Squire Caes's Christmas party
nobody ment toned Dunstan-nohody was
sorry for his absence or feared 1t would
last too long. Christmas talk was fol-
lowed by cards. the whole being accom-
panied by a strong steaming odori OF
spirits and water But tho party on
Christmas Day5was not the pre-cminently
brilliant celebration Of the season at the
Red House 1t was the great dance or
New Years Eve that made the glory
i Of Squire CASTS hospitality, as Of his
Il forefather's time out Of mind. This was
the occasion on which the fair danes
who came OH billions sent their band
boxes before them supplied with more
than their evening costumes for the feast
was not to end with single evening.
Godfrey Cnss was looking forward to this
New Years Eve with foolish reckless
longing that banished even anxiety
s., Some women would not appear to
advantage seated on pllion, and at
tired in a brown ''iosepll''Eand a drab,
beaver bonnet. 1T was all the greater
triumph to Miss Nancy L.annmeters beau
#1y.S that she looked bewitchng in that
costume when she arrived at the door,
4 of the Red House and saw Mr.. Godfrey
4Cass ready to lift her. from tho pillton.,
Happily the Squire came out. too. and
there was he best Of reason for hasten
Ing into the house since the snow was
Beginning to fall again. "a
q d. When Miss I.alnnotcr. had completed
alier toilet III the bedroom assigned to
her and ,her sister, Priscilla, she made
Ia pretty picture in her silvery twilcd
SIX, her coral necklace and her coral
q ear drops.
Z. Afterwards she was tile belle of the
ball,ntl in the close press OF the dancing
couples a slight accident happened TO her
dress which, While 1t was short enough
10 show her ankle in front, was long
enough to be caught In the stately stamp
of the iSuuire's foot, so us to Z "rend'a
certain stitches at the waist Nancy had
no sooner completed her duty In the fig
ure they were dancing than she said to
Godfrey that she must so and sit down
Till Priscilla could ctGlic. to ..ller.
S. Godfrey led.r her ''straightway.'
without leave asked, into The adjoining
4 small parlor where4the card tables were
set. When they entered she said: u am
porry you've had such an unlucky part
Hnor,4 I needn't give you any moro trouble
- NOW
. The entrance Of Priscilla. o"bust-
ling, forward and saying: Dear heart
alive child; let us look at this gown
10'cut off Godfrey's dread Of a quar-
rel.
10. Il suppose must 50 now, he
eaid IL Priscilla,
II. "Irs no II matter to me whether
y you 70 or stay" said that frank lady
searchins for something in her pocket.
no you want Inc 10 sp?' said Godfrey,
looking at Nancy. u AS You like. said
y Nancy, looking mt the hem of her gown.
'sThen ] like to stay said Godfrey with
q reckless determination to get as much
OF this JOY tonight, and think nothing
Of Tomorrow.