The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-09-13
The Conquest
OF Cutler.
By LOUISE MERRIFIELD.
Copyrighted. 1907. by P. C. Eastment.

remnant saw her first when she
.ounded the hotel point and headed for
the open bay. She was alone. but the
little naphtha launch belonged to Cut
Ter. There was no installing that.
With its polished brass rails. it's red
morocco cushions and its trim, slender
lines. 1t was the smartest bit of sailing
craft on Lake Glenora.
And for over three weeks Muriel Ar
den had had the sole exclusive use of
1t and had exercised the privilege at
every opportunity. To Tenant it was
more than mere girlish wilfulness. 1t
was frankly Haunting in his face her
conquest of Cutler and her defiance of
himself and preference for things be-
longing to said Cutler.
He watched her as she neared the
pier. If she saw the tall. moody figure
in gray fannels. she made no sign
IIatless the wind blowing her brown
hair back from her tanned. clear cut
face. she held her way steadily toward
the open bay, one hand on the little
brass tipped pilot wheel. and looked
neither to the right nor the left.
Phil Tenant muttered something
under his breath and turned quickly on
his heel toward the hotel. 1t was after
{. II he hurried. he could still catch
the night boat for Chicago. Perhaps
he could even get away before she re-
turned. 1t was growing late. Up at
the hotel they were lighting the colored
Japanese lanterns around the veran-
das. There was to I've hop that night.
lie remembered Muriel had told him
she was going to II with Cutler. He
avoided the main entrance. with its
palms and pretty girls. and slipped up
to his own room TO pack his suit cases.
On the way upstairs he met Cutler,
"'hO looked anxious and annoyed.
did you see the little girl any
where
Tenant turned on him holly.
"W'hom do you refer to-
Cutler laughed easily. without malice.
and ignored the resentment in the 9TH
er's t1.r.
There's storm coming up. and |
didn't want her TO go out in my boat
alone
As lie passed Oh downstairs leisurely
Tenant paused and looked after him.
his fists clenched tightly. He would
have enjoyed fiinging him down the
whole flight for those words. The
little girl 1t was the easy proprie-
tary familiarity that cut. That any
man on earth should dare to use that
tone In speaking Of Muriel-his Muriel!
Then like flash came the memory Of
that straight. cold little figure In the
launch as Ii had passed the pier. of
the proud little face that would not
turn his way. and he went on upstairs
with a logged. bitter sense of all things
gone wrong. Perhaps she was Cutters
.Iittle girl"
The Chicago boat was due at the
Glenora at $50 At the music of
the Hungarian string orchestra came
softly from the palm hidden ballroom.
For n moment Tenant hesitated on
the vcranda listening to it. Muriel was
In there. he thought. She had proba.
bly, returned and was dancing. perhaps
with Cutler. while he was going away
from her forever. He had been a fool
to come at all. II had been Ter half
laughing challenge. that last night on
the roof garden. They were with thc
WilhurtOn party. Cutler Ind been
there also. but Muriel had sat next to
Tenant. and he had fancied that last
instant on the stairs that she had
meant more than a mere Irritation
when she had said she hoped he would
be- Il member Of the summer colony at
GIcnora
lie had taken her at her word aud
gone 10 Glpuora. and what Miss Arden
bad begun cu the roof garden she On
is,hed ut G'cnora. But Tenant was
slow. slow 10 fan In love. slow 60 DO
lleye that he bud the ghost Of a chance
with girl likc Murlcl Arden. slower
yet 10 risk that chance In one last
throw. Aud while he had waited. sure
Of himself. but doubtful Of Muricl. Cut.
Ter had come down with bis launch. his
motor ear. his coach aud all the other
accessories OF half dozen million or
50. and Murlel had seemed TO wavcr
The night mir was still and heavy.
Suddenly a sweep Of cool. keen wind
blew In freshly from the bay. II
caught the frail Jap lanterns and tossed
them ike leaves 10 aud fro. The bam-
boo curtains at the long French win.
dows rustlcd and swung inward. aud
out on the lawn the palms and viii.
lows bent before IL with a 1.-THE. swift
obcisanCe.
Tenant jatumel his hat low over his
eyes and started on a run for the pier
Tie rain spIashed in his face. and
glare Of dazzling light shot across the
northwest heavens. lie ran faster. II
he could make the bouthouse before
the storm broke. he could take the
steamer. Just rs the thunder burst
In a low report from the gray edged
black clouds he passed Cutters boat.
house. and as the next fare Of quick
lightning came he saw that Il was
empty. The Mike was gone from lts
place.
The pier was deserted except for a
sIappv hpy Mt the baggage shed. Ten