The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

pie life teachings of their aged chiefs.
peak and plain. She ate, too with an ap-
petite that the mountain air sharpened.
and she thrilled with strength and hope.
Mr.. Plummer, from some motive that
she did not understand, kept himself in
the background during the stop; nor did
she know his big heart was filled with
wrath and gloom But as he stood silent
~ at the farthest rim Of the circle, he re-
solved TO push his fortunes, which was
IN accordance with his nature.
VIII you walk to the edge Of the cove
with me?'' he said to the candidate, when
he saw that the latter had finished hts
luncheon. and Mr.. Grayson. without &
word. complied with his request.
Jimmy GraysOn must have had some
premOnition Of what was 10 come. be-
cause he obeyed his first impulse, and
glanced at Harley and Sylvia, who were
standing together. He was confirmed in
his thought when he saw the look OF
gloom and resolve upon the face OF his
friend.
I want to speak 10 you OF Sylvia"
said King Plummer, IN tones OF hur-
~. as II 1t cost him an effort It's
about our marriage I think I ought 10
hurry It up a little. You see-weIl. you
can't help seeing that, compared with
Sylvia, I'm old. I'm not really old. but
I'm old enough TO be her father, an
youth has way that's pretty hard TO
break Of turnin' 70 youth"
Yes" said Jimmy Grayson.
"Sylvia's just a girl; she don't seen
much m0re'n a child 10 me, an lately
she's been travellin' about a heap. an
80
blame her. don't think that. because it's
natural, but here is this young writin'
chap"
Harley. you mean?"
Yes. An I'm not sayin' anythin'
against him, either, though writin has
never been much In my line, but he an
Sylvia seem TO have taken sort OF
shine 10 each otheT-I don't know wheth-
er 1t amounts to any more than that.
though suppose it could if il was given
chance: but down there in Queen Citss
he did more for her than I did. OF any
body else. and I suppose that tells With
a girl Well. you saw EN- together as We
walked out here, an I'm bound to admit
that they make a powerful likely cou-
pie"
He hesitated. as II he were waiting for
the candidate 10 speak. but Mr.. Grayson
was silent He glanced once at the strong
face Of Plummer, drawn as II in pain,
and then he looked into the valley a
thousand feet below. Jimmy GTaysOn did
not care TO speak
Il amt a blind man" continued tina
King 1 may not be too smart, but
still things don't have 10 be driven into
me with wedge. If Sylvia and Harley
were left TO themselves they would fan
deep in love, I can see that; but I tell
you, Mr.. Grayson, she's mine; she be-
longs TO me, because I've earned her.
ana because she's promised herself TO
me, too, an / can't give her I'D. Still
II us wrong, II / ought to let her have
her promise back. I'll do 1t anyhow. An
that's why I've asked you 20 walk out
here. l don't like much to speak 10 an
other man Of a thing right next to my
heart, but l want TO ask you. Mr.. GRAY
son-you are her uncle an my best friend
what do you think I ought TO do?"
Ii was hard to embarrass Jimmy GRAY
son, but he was embarrassed now He
would rather any other man in the world
had asked him any other question SvI-
via was his niece. and her happiness was
dear 10 him. Harley. too. had found q
place in his heart And when he glanced
at them again and saw them still to-
gether' seemed MT and right that they
should continue so through life Rut
there was King" PIummer an honest
man, and his claim could not be denied.
And his mind could not beln asking This
insidious little question. IF Sylvia is al
lowed TO throw over King Piummer.
VIII he not sulk and allow the Mountain
States passing from her uncle. 10 go
INTO the other column" Jimmy Grayson
would not have been human If he had
not heard this little question demanding
an answer, but he resolutely resisted II.
what Go you say?" asked Mr.. Plum
mer' I'd risk much on your advice"
was studying your question. because
IN a case like this man has to think OF
so many things. and then may miss the
right one. But. Mr. Plummer. I don't
Know what to say; I think, however. I'd
wait. Sylvia is a good girl. and 1 know
you can trust her. But they are beckon-
Ing TO US; they are ready to start"
He was glad Of that start. because #
saved him from further discussion of the
problem. and Mr.. Plummer went back
with him moodily.
Yet the resolve in the Kings" mind
had only been strengthened by his tarx
with the candidate. The danger OF Svl-
via slipping through his fingers because
OF his own want Of precautiop made her
ali the more dear TO him. and he was de-
termined to take that precaution now. So
he was watchful throughout the remain
der Of the journey. seeking his oppor-
tunity. and 1t came toward the twilight.
as they saw the first houses OF the rail-
road station rise upon the horizon
Mrs. Grayson, Hobart Blaisdeu. the
State politicians. and all the others came
out to meet them, and for while there
was turmoil Of voices asking questions
and answering them. Presently Sylvia
slipped from the group. and Mr.. Plummer
followed her toward the hotel.
Sylvia" he said, walt for me.
have something to say
She recognized an unusual tone IN his
voice and she was frightened. She felt
an almost irresistible impulse to run and
to hide herself In some dim room Of the
hotel But she did not do It; instead.
she waited and walked by his side.
u