Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-04-25
stealtny. white haired. pink skinned

stealthy. white haired, pink skinned
| butler.
They had planned to go for spin in
Mortimer's motor after dinner, but in
view of the Quarter fasco neither
was in the mood for anything.
do you know, Leroy" she observed
as they left the table and sauntered
back into the pale blue drawing room,
do you know that the servants
haven't been paid for three months?"
"Oh, for heavens sake" he expostu.
lated, don't begin that sort of thing.
l get enough of that at home. get it
every time l show my nose!
81 only mentioned it," she said care
lessly. "You had an opportunity to
make Howard pay you back. What
are you going to do?"
"Do?
"Of course. You are going to do
something, l suppose. You haven't yet
told me how you intend to make How
ard return the money you lost through
his juggling with your stock
81 don't exactly know myself" adj
mitted Mortimer, still overfushed Il
mean to put it to him squarely as a
| him whether to invest. He never
warned me not to. He is morally re-
sponsible +"
| She nodded.
'T'Il tell him so, too" clustered Nor
timer, shaking himself into an upright
posture and laying a pudgy clinched
| fist on the table. I'm not afraid of
him! He'll find that out too. / know
enough to stagger him. Not that !
mean to use it. I'm not going to have
| him think that my demands on him
| for my own property resemble extor-
| ton. I've half a mind to shake that
money out CT him in one way or an
other"
He struck the table and looked at
her for further sign of approval.
I'm not afraid of him." he repeated.
'I wish to God he were here. and I'd
tell him so.''
She said cooIly, 81 was wishing that
| too"
For awhile they sat silent, preoccu-
pied, avoiding each others direct gaze.
When she rose he started, watching
| her in a dazed way as she walked tc
| the telephone.
"Shall II" she asked quietly, turning
to him, her hand on the receiver.
"Wait W-what are you going tc
do?" he stammered.
"Call him up. Shall IY'
A dull throb of fright pulsed through
! him.
You say you are not afraid of him
Leroy"
Nor he said, with an oath. 81 an
not Go aheadw
She unlocked the receiver. After a
second or two her low, even voice
sounded There came a pause. She
rested one elbow OH the walnut shelf,
the receiver tight to her ear. Then:
"Mr. Quarter, please. Yes, Mr..
Howard Quarter. No, no name. Say
| it is on business Of immediate impor-
lance. Very we'll, then; you may say
that Miss Vyse insists on speaking to
him. Yes, I'll hold the WIRE"
She turned, the receiver at her ear,
and looked narrowly at Mortimer.
won't he speak to your" he de-
handed.
"Pm going to find out. Hush a mo-
ment!" and in the same calm, almost
| childish voice: "Oh, Howard, is that
YOU? Yes. l know l promised not to
do this. but that was before things
happened. Well, what am l to do when
| it is necessary to talk to you? Yes, 1t
/ is necessary. l tell you it is necessary
| am sorry it is not convenient for you
to talk to me, but l really must ask
| YOU to listen. No, l shall not write.
want to talk to you tOnight-nOW
Yes, you may come here if you care
| to. / think you had better come, How
| ard. because | am liable to continue
| ringing your telephone until you are
willing to listen. No. there is nobody
| here. | am alone. What time? Very
well; shall expect you. Goodby."
She hung up the receiver and turned
to Mortimer:
"He's coming up at once. Did say
anything to scare him particularly"
Zone things sure as preaching" said
! Mortimer Hes a coward, and I'm
! glad of it, he added naively, relight.
| ing his cigar, which had gone out.
IF he comes up in his motor he'll be
here in a few minutes" she said
Suppose you take your hat and go out
| don't want him to think what he
! will think if he walks into the room
| and finds you waiting. You have your
key, Leroy Walk down the block, and
when you see him come in give him
| five minutes"
Her voice had become a little breath
less, and her color was high. Morti
mer, too, seemed apprehensive. Things
had suddenly begun to work them
selves out too swiftly.
"Do you think that's best?" he fall
tered, looking about for his hat. "Tell
Merkle that nobody has been here if
| Quarter should ask him. Do you
think we're doing it in the best way
Lydia? BY God! 1t smells of put UP