Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-05
Graustark
BY GEORGE BARR M'curcHEoN
Copyrighted, 1901. by Herbert $. Stone.
CHAPTER ~.
THE INVITATION EXTENDED

RHNliF.A were cailpu 10y lle Ioltti
III early the next morning. The
NJ train WAS pulling into Wash
in-ton five hours late. Grenfall
wondered rs he dressed whether for
tune would permit him to sec much of
her during her brief day in the capital
/ After the train had come to II stand
still he could hear the rustic of her gar
merts in the next compartment. Then
he heard her sweep into the passage
greet her uncle and aunt, utter 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'll get away. and that IL be the
end of it. he growled, Selling his traps
and rushing from the train two mill
utcs after her departure. The porter
attempted to relieve him of his bags
on the platform, but he brushed him
aside and was off toward the station.
4 Nice time for you to call a man, you
idiot" was his parting shot for the por-
ter. forgetting of course that the for
eigners had been called Mt the same
time With eyes intent OH the crowd
ahead, he plunged along. seeing nobody
in his disappointed flight. .lll never
forgive myself If miss her" he was
wuiling to himself. She was not to be
seen in the waiting rooms, SO he rushed
to the sidewalk.
Baggage transferredW
Cab, SIR
..Go to the devil--yes. here! Take
these trnps and checks and rush my
stuff to - W avenue. Trunks just
In on T. and o." he cried. tossing his
burdens to transfer man and giving
him the checks so quickly that the fell
lows sleepy eyes opened wider than
they had been for month. Relieved
of his impediments, he returned to the
station.
Good morning. Mr.. Lorry. Are you
In too much of q hurry to see your
fricnds?" cried clear musical voice,
and he stopped as il shot. The anxious
frown flew from his brow and was sue
ceeded instantaneously by a glad smile.
He wheeled and behold her. with Aunt
Yyonne. standing near the main ell
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
preferred hand. Only 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 handshnkins; that same
something imnelled him to bend low
and touch the gloyed fingers with his
lips. He Strengthened. with face
flushed, half fearful lest his act had
been observed by curious loungers, and
he had taken n liberty in public place
which could not be condoned. But she
smiled serenely. approyingly. 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 1erled her hand away and
giggled furiously. Aunt Yvonne In
clined her had slightly but did not
proffer her hand. He wisely refrained
from extending his own. II thought
you had left the station" he said.
I'VE are waiting for Uncle Caspnr,
who Is giving Hedrick instructions.
Hedrick, you know, is to 80 on TO New
York with our boxes. He will have
them aboard ship when we arrive
tho$ with 10
hand luggage. We leave Washington
tonight"
II had hoped you might stay over for
a few days
1T Is urgent business that compels
US to leave so hastily. Mr.. Lorry. OF
all the cities in the world, have most
desired to see the capital of your coun-
try. Perhaps may return some day.
But do not let us detain you If you are
in hurry"
He started. looked guilty, stammered
something about baggage. said he
would return in moment, and rushed
aimlessly away, his ears fiery.
I'm all kinds of a fool" he NUT
tered us he raced around the baggage
room and then back TO where lie had
left the two ladies'. Mr. Gugsenslocker
had joined them, and they were prepar-
ing to depart. Miss Guggenslocker's
face expressed pleasure Mt seeing him.
eve thought you would never return,
so long were you gone" she cried gay
ly. He hud 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 lie vol
unteered to accompany them, saying
that he intended to breakfast there.
Quicker than flash glance unfath-
ENABLE as 1t was brief passed between
the three, not quickly enough, however,
to escape his KEEN watchful eyes, OH
the alert since the beginning of his ac-
quaintance with them, in conjunction
with his ears, to catch something that
might satisfy in measure his burning
curiosity What was the meaning OF
that glance? 1t half angered him. for
in 1t he thought he could distinguish
annoyance, apprehension, dismay or
something equally disquieting. Before
he could stilfcn his long frame and
give vent to the dignified reconsidera
ton that flew to his mind the young
lady dispelled MI min and diSpleasure,