Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-20

word she entered. He sat where Ann
had left him, but Louis was beside
him, showing him new drawing.
isn't that wonderful said Ray
mond. holding the sketch in the air, his
eyes agiow with pride in the boy. IF
could do that | would never be lone
some or restless. l wish | knew my
use in the world as certainly as Louis
does"
The Young artist flushed with the
pleasure. Its just as wonderful 10
ride the way you do and throw rope
and all that. I'll teach you to draw If
you want ne to-"
Raymond turned to Mrs. Barnett
with Il look in which amusement and
certain sorrow met. I'm long past
such instruction, lad. l haven't sense
enough to keep out of mischief. You
draw, and Ill do the posing. I'm q
good poser. Don't you think so, Mrs.
Barnett?
Il don't know what you mean," said
she, feeling vaguely his pain and dis
couragement-his establishment.
Il posed as a farmer and deceived
good Don Barnett. l made up for
cowboy and fooled Baker and the rest
of the squad. And now I'm posing as
an invalid when / ought to be out on
the ranch again. It's time l rode
away to new range"
Mrs. Barnett was alarmed at the
undertones of bitterness in his words.
"You must not think of even walking
downstairs for week"
But can't sit heie and sink deeper
and deeper into obligation to you,' he
answered. What rights have in
this room? I'm only poor, wander
ing ne'er-do- well, and your beautiful
home makes me ashamed-mOre than
ashamed--it fills me with sense OF
guilt. l can walk now. and l ought
not to stay another day."
Mrs. Barnett knew very well that
his mood was due to AIMS icy dis
dain, and she realized too, how diff
cult the task of diverting his mind
from this foolish purpose would be.
She said gently: you were injured in
our service Robert, and it is our duty
to look after you. You must not utter
another word Of this sort OF talk to
me or | will call Don, and then you
will hear a voice that will make you
quake. l tell you frankly l will not
listen to your walking out of this room
for week"
Louis. who had been sitting in some
wonder, trying to catch the undercur-
rent of this talk, put his hand on Ray
mond's knee and said: "When you go,
/ 90 too. Remember that"
1t was interesting to Jeanette to
observe that evening dress changed
AIMS estimate of Raymond's charac-
ter. The girl had to admit that be
looked surprisingly well as he came
slowly into the library just before the
little Chinese chime sounded for din
ner. Every trace of the cowboy, the
man Of sun smit, wind swept plain
was gone. He was pale, languid, but
self contained and wore his dinner suit
with easy grace.
His manner toward Ann was that OF
q polite acquaintance merely, and hel
fear of something-she hardly knew
what-instantly vanished. His bearing
during dinner and throughout the even
ing made her forget the kind of person
he had hitherto seemed to her, and she
began to study him in his true charac
ter. He dropped all his ranch life
phrases and, putting aside his reserve
talked with entire intellectual freedom
showing a knowledge of books and OF
communities remarkable in any man
Once or twice as she encountered his
glance a mysterious movement RAJ
about her heart and her breath quick
ened.
As they rose from dinner and while
he stood to allow her to pass he said
"YOu are very beautiful to- ut. Noun
tain air has done wonders - YOU"
"YOu are very courteous she re
sponded, and her eyes fell exasperat-
ingly, and she walked away with q
sense of having revealed weakness.
He came into the drawing room hall
an hour later to say good night to his
hostess, looking very tired and pale
and when he took AIMS hand his eyes
were burning with deep inner passion
Good night he said, land forgive me
for any impertinence." She scarcely
had time to reply, to ask his meaning
for Mrs. Barnett ordered him instantly
TO bed.
No voice responded to Louis knocl
at RaymOnd's door next morning, and
hurrying to Barnett's room, Louis
called excitedly, Cousin Don, have yo'
seen Rob?'
Barnett, splashing in his tub, shout
ed: NO Can't you find himT'
"He isn't in his ROOM"
"He's gone down to breakfast, then
Hurry along and keep him company
Don't let him 60 OUT
Louis rushed into the breakfast room
but found it empty. The maid said
"Are you looking for Mr. Raymond
He came down very early and said h
was going out for walk"
The boy hurried outdoors, filled witt
dismay "He shouldn't be out alone
He might get dizzy and fall. He RAJ
round the block, eagerly seeking Ray
mond, who was nowhere in sight
When Barnett entered Rob's room hi
found two letters lying on the littl'
desk, One was addressed to Don an(
one to Ann.
IL.