Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-09-01
CHAPTER XVI.

feelings. On the evening in question
he presented himself ut the mansion in
st. Giles square, scrupulously groomed
and brushed. Darlington looked ap-
provingly on his dress. which set of n
handsome figure to advantage, and he
unbent so far rs to advance to George
with outstretched hand.
1--WE had rather a rough interview,
George be said, 80 l have invited
you to smoke the pipe of peace"
Brendon shook the old mans hand
quietly, but without much enthusiasm.
He could not conjecture what Derring-
ton meant by behaving in way so
different from that he usually adopted
His host felt the slack hand clasp and
WINGED on seeing the want Of response
In Brendon's face.
Dinner will be ready soon," said the
old lord, waving Brendon to seat;
''only our two selves. wish to con-
suit you"
Consult me?' George could not
keep the establishment out Of his face
Its rather late In the day, is 1t
not?" remarked Darlington dryly But
you see am old, George. and have
not much time to spare. Yes, wish
you to consult with me after dinner
about-but that can come In the course
of our conversation. Meantime let us
talk Of anything you like"
The weather, sir"
mo, confound you," snapped Der
rington, with q fash of his old irritable
self; talk Of wine, wit and women II
you like, but spare me platitudes."
Brcndon stared at his shoes and
smiled under his mustache. II do not
think can say anything very original
about the subjects you mention" he
said quietly.
Talk Of Miss Ward then. You can
be original on that point"
Brendon would rather not have men
toned Dorothy, but he was quite de-
termined to show his grandfather that
he fully intended to marry his lady
love and that he was not afraid to
speak his mind. II do not fancy that
there is anything particularly original
in love story. met Miss Ward some
three years before, I have loved her
ever since and we will marry when
There, there" interrupted Derring-
ton, waving his hand, "let US not get
on to that subject as yet. We can talk
Of it after dinner. In fact, you may as
well know that asked you here to
dfcN1oc, Nn h
an understanding"
II think you must intend it to be a
pleasant one" said Brendon, "as you
have asked me to dinner"
It struck Brendon that his grandpa
ther looked old and very haggard. He
had lost his fresh color, his eyes were
sunken and the defiant curl was out
Of his enormous mustache. He moved
slowly toward the door, and George
felt sorry to see him SO lonely.
Moved by sudden impulse, George
moved to the elder mans side and Of
fered his arm. The footman was hold
ing the door open, and Darlington could
not express, even BY look, the salts
faction he felt. With surly grunt he
took Brendon's arm, but George guess
ed by the warm pressure that Derring-
ton was pleased.
1t was quite banquet, for Derring-
ton lived In most expensive manner.
The table was round one, laid with
exquisite taste, and was placed under
q kind Of velvet tent, which shut off
the rest Of the room and made the
meal particularly coy. 1t was per-
feet, and after the somewhat stale food
Of his lodgings George enjoyed the
meal greatly. Darlington himself did
not eat much, but he took great pleas
ure in seeing George enjoy his viands.
After the dinner, during which the
old lord was confirmed in his good
opinion Of George, he said: There's
coffee in the library, and we can talk
over our cigars. Up get. George,
your ARM
He not only asked for it, but took
1t with marked pleasure. The foot
man in attendance returned to the
hall to state. that the "old
devil' (the domestic name for Derring-
tom had quite taken to the new young
gentleman.
Meanwhile Brendon was seated in
4 comfortable chair enjoying one Of
the best cigars he had ever placed be-
tween his lips. At his elbow smoked a
cup OF Mocha. and in the chair on the
other side Of roaring fire CO sea
timber smiled Lord Darlington. He
looked grim and determined old gen
tleman as he bent his shaggy brows
on his grandson.
George was very comfortable and
also felt grateful for the kindness
which his grandfather was showing
him. At the same time he felt as
though he were acting wrongly In
with man who persist
emily blackened his mothers memory.
II suppose you wondered when you
my invitation" said Derring-
ton.
II did, sir. wondered very much
And you felt inclined to refuse"
II had almost made up my mind
to-"
why did, yeu change ysar mind p
0egzees lsa6stsd A-A ahf'adps