Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-09
CHAPTER II.

lent, the fresh color died out Of her
face and her lips moved nervously.
Twice did she make an effort to over
come her emotion, but each time failed.
Afterward she took seat by the fire
and stared into the flames with an an1-
ious look, as though she saw therein
a fulfllment of the dismal prophecy.
Her depression communicated itself to
the rest of the company, and shortly
before 10 the friends took their de-
parture. The idea Of being alone seem
ed to cheer Mrs. Jersey, and she ac-
companied her departing guests to the
front door.
It was a comparatively thick fog, yet
not so bad but that the visitors might
hope to reach their homes. For soma
time Mrs. Jersey stood in the door
way at the top of the steps and shook
hands with those who were going. The
boarders, who were old and chilly,
were too wise to venture outside on
such dreary night, SO Mrs Jersey had
the doorstep all to herself. IF you
lose your way" she called out to the
NlSlIOES, GOlIG AOu NaAA eSis eAAS
house by the red light" She pointed to
the fanlight OF crimson glass behind
which gas was burning II will keer
that alight for another hour"
The voices of thanks came back muf-
fed by the fog, but Leonard and
George waited to hear no more They
walked upstairs to Trains sitting room
which was on the first floor. The win
dows looked out on to a back garden,
wherein grew few scrubby trees, 50
that the prospect was not cheering.
But on this night the faded crimson
curtains were drawn, the fire was
lighted and round table in the middle
Of the apartment was spread for sup
per. On one side door led to Leon
ards bedroom; on the other side was
the room wherein George was to sleep.
AS the freight played on the Old fash
toned furniture and on the mellow
colors Of curtains and carpet Leonard
rubbed his hands. sit Is rather. quaint"
he said cheerfully, and lighted the
lamp.
"Not such palace as your diggings
in Duke street." said Brendon, stretch
ing his long legs on the chintz covered
sofa.
zone must suffer in the cause Of art, :"
said Train, putting the shade on tile
lamp. II am picking up excellent types
here. What do you think?"
There's plenty Of material" growled
Brendon, getting out his pipe.
Don't smoke yet, George" inter-
posed Train, glancing at the clock. I'VE
must have supper first. After that we
can smoke till II and then we must
go to bed"
"You keep early hours here, Leon
ard"
81 don't. Mrs. Jersey asked me par
ticularly to be in bed at H.
"Why?" Brendon started and looked
hard at his friend.
II don't know, but she did"
as it an understood thing that you
retire at that hour?'
Train shook his head and drew in his
chair. "By no means. have sat up
till before now. But on this night
Mrs. Jersey wants the house to be con-
sidered respectable and therefore asked
me to retire early. Perhaps it's on &C.
count of you, old man." Here he
smiled in an amused manner. "She
hopes to get you as boarder."
81 wouldn't come here for the world,"
retorted Brendon with quite unneces-
sary violence.
"why not? Have some tongue"
THANKS" responded George, passing
his plate. Because l don't like the
house, and don't care for Mrs. Jer-
sey."
"Why did you advise me to come
here, then?" asked Train, pouring out
glass of claret.
"well, you wanted something in the
style Of Dickens, and this was the oaly
place knew"
"How did you know about it?''
George deliberated for moment and
then fastened his eyes on his plate. Il
lived here once" he said in a low
voice.
"But you didn't like Mrs. Jersey"
"She was not here then"
"Who was here?"
"My grandfather on the mothers
side. That's fifteen years ago."
Leonard looked at the handsome,
moody face Of his friend musingly. Il
never knew you had grandfather"
he said at last.
do you know anything at all about
met" asked Brendon.
"No; now l come to think OF it, l
don't. l met you three years ago at
Mrs. Wards house, and we have been
friends ever since"
Acquaintance, rather. Men are
not friends until they become con-
fidential with one another. Well,
Train''-George pushed back his chair
and wiped his mouth-'tonight In
tend to turn you from a mere &C
quaintance INTO friend"
81 shall be delighted" said Train,
rather bewi.dered Wont you have
more SUPERB
Brendon shook his head, lighted his
pipe and again stretched himself on
the Sofa Train, being curious to know
what he had to say, was on the point
Of joining him, but he was yet hun
cry, SO could not bring himself to leave
the table.
Trains parents were dead and had
left him an income of $4,000