The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-08-07
| Question of
| Precedence.
By GuRRAN RICHARD GRrfNItY.
i: Copy righted. 1907. by Homer sprasue
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

station as a dash of Sleet against the
Ing storm. Agatha shiyered us she
pulled the wraps closer about her
shoulders Somewhere out In that
swirl of sleet and SNOW Dick Weldon
WIS hreasting the storm. his dark
face darker still with the pain that
her words had indicted Even SO, let
of precedence between her love and
his profession. She recalled the night
that she had excused herself from her
hostess box party 10 remain ut home
for Weldons call, only TO sit alone In
the deserted drawing room. and he hal
not even troubled 10 send an eNcuse.
That was the beginning of the end.
Now her bridges We're all burned and
every moment speeding her toward the
new life out there In the orient Kath
arine laird's invitation TO so with
them to Japan had reached her ut the
crucial moment Japan. dim, dusky
dream that all her life had lain Just
over the border of possibility, and with
katharine and Ellis of all people
Katharine wrote that the appointment
WAS not of sufficient Importance to
count as Il political asset, therefore
they would he safe to remain there for
yeurs.
Then out of the misty premises of
the future came the memory of Wei
dons face when BADLY, brutally. With
out one softcning note of regret. she
had told him of her plans and In the
neNt breath conventional farewell in
the presence of the other guests. She
had built up the wall of injured pride
atf Too securely, leaving no loophole for
belated explanations.
The train settled down 10 the long
run through the open country, and the
twinkling lights of villages swept by
like fretlies through the stormy dark
hess. Loneliness engulfed her, aud in
desperation she sought refuge i'll her
berth, 10 lie, open eyed, all the sleep
less night while the certainty of her
folly heat in upon her, clearer with
each succeeding hour
Morning found them far cut Oh the
deal level Of the prairies, with the
SNOW coming down with unabatcd en-
ergy The engine fought its way
through the drifts. but nj last the big
wheels stood still Agatha woke up
to the fact that something WAS wrong
when the men began to file out of the
car Then man came down the
aisle and stopped ut her seat
"Dick, Dick Weldon" She WIS on
her feet, both hands outstretchcd and
all grievances forgotten in the glad
reVulsion of feeling If he had noticed
the joy in face and voice. he made no
sign as he dropped into the vacant
seat.
We are snowbound and may have
to spend the rest Of the day here until
the plow comes to our relief.
The matter of fact tone put confusion
TO Hight and gave Agatha time 10 find
herself while he ran on with an easy
flow Of cofnnonplaces.
You were ON all night she ven
tured
Weldon eyes met hers i"iiiA i'''
would have made my presence
known, but feared you Wonid resent
the Intrusion you nave kept me 80
thoroughly ont In the cold Of late
aI-that Is =" and the words failed her
Weldon pulled magazine from ms
pocket ana handed II To her' Tue siian
ow of smile lurking III us eyes
"lIaVe YOU seen mat article on Jhpah
II may interest you. iheh ne van
ished behind ms paper
Agatha picked up the magazine 'hc
gray blur between het eyes anu 'ie
page threatening 10 Overflow.
WHY heeu ne haunt MS il'oih'i'pc
so brazenlyF she thought No one
asked him to come. tut she store
look nj the dirk, intent ia's' ana 'lieir
eyes met The paper fell 10 the moor
between them No use dear IaaS'
confess. l followed because eou'd
not stay behind
W ii"'' i''' a. ''i
Interesting PATIENTS just To ioiiow me
This beiated interest Is siiipi! "iiiaH
Ing. But ne heightened eoioi anu
the laughter deep III her eyes oeiicu
her words. hdcf cover u 'he mag"
zine Weldon mana Sought anu iouiii
hers. lhey hnd the car pfaellshiis "
themselves ana Tue ptoWi nea'
dropped lef'iolslN heaf 10 eii'h
shoulder as he bent over 'he e'fi anu
the door was flung open ana porter
dashed through yelling II" ne wen.
lis there doctor on poaf'i mere
child bout to die back thefe III the
way car ana l's mother S.ai'u s,,h
Weldon h"Si'Ated' theh the 'aii u
duty oVefealhe llh an allea'ins
glance at the elfl. GU VIII near nv
afierWard ne ""S s9' ', ,.,....a...
Asatha turned 10 she piiho N"''e"'''
without her iil'S 'ie'h''
1t VIII always DE 50 se'oiiu"iS
eohSia'fa. io4i, ''ie ny" ''v 10
he Wouid h"te s"iu ie'' 'he 'oa'
sweetness Oh 'he ueseei iteo ''i'ii'ei''