Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-15

have, and, being SO shamelessly affec-
tionate by disposition, why can't l be
nice to babies? I've hazy but dread
full notion that there's something
wrong about me, Mr.. Siward."
He scrutipized the pretty features
anxiously II can't see it," he said.
But l mean it-almost seriously. l
don't want to be so aloof, but don't
like to touch other people. 1t Is rather
horrid Of me. l suppose. to be like
those silky, plumy. luxurious Angora
cats. who never are civil to you and
who always jump out Of your arms at
the first opportunity"
He laughed, and there was malice
in his eyes, but he did not know her
we'll enough to pursue the subject
through SO easy an opening.
1t had occurred to her, too, that her
smile might invite elaboration, and
she sensed the laugh in his silence and
liked him for remaining silent where
he might easily have been wittily 9th
erwise
This set her so much at ease, left her
SO confident. that they were on terms
of gayest understanding presently, she
gossiping about the guests at Shot
over House. outlining the diversions
planned for the two weeks before
them.
"But we shall see little of one an
other. You will be shooting most OF
the time" she said with the very
faintest hint of challenge-too delicate.
too impersonal. to SAVIOR Of coQuetry.
But the germ Of it was there.
do you shoot?"
Yes. WhyY'
II am reconciled to the shooting,
then"
She laughed and started to flick her
whip, but at her first motion the horse
gave trouble.
'srhe bit doesn't it," observed 81
ward.
"You are perfectly right" she re-
turned. surprised. Il ought to have
remembered. 1t is shameful to drive
horse improperly bitted." And aft
er moment: You are considerate to-
ward animals. 1t is good in man."
"Oh, it's no merit When animals
are uncomfortable it worries me. It's
one sort of selhshness, you see.'
What nonsense!' she saids and her
smile was very friendly. why doesn't
a nice man ever admit he's pice when
| told so7"
1t seems they had advanced that far,
for she was beginning to find this
young man not only safe, but promis-
ing. She had met nobody recently half
as amusing, and the outlook at Shot
over House had been unpromising
with only the overgrateful Page twins
to practice on, the other men collec-
lively, and individually boring her.
And suddenly, welcome as mama
from the sky, behold this highly agree
able boy to play with-until Quarter
arrived! Her telegram had been ad-
dressed to Mr.. Quarter.
1t was perhaps the reaction Of her
gayety that recalled to her mind her
telegram. The telegram had been her
promised answer after she had had
time to consider suggestion made to
her by Mr.. Howard Quarter. The
last week at Shotover permitted re.
Election, and, while her telegram was
.no complete answer to the suggestion
he had made, 1t contained material Of
interest in the eight words, II will con-
slider your request when you arrive"
II wonder If you know Howard
Quarter" she said.
After seconds hesitation he re-
piled: Eyes, little. Everybody does
"You do know him?"
"Only at the club"
"Oh, the Lenox?"
''The Lenox and the PATRONS"
Preoccupied, driving with careless.
almost inattentive, perfection, she
thought idly " her twenty three years,
wondering how life could have passed
so quickly, leaving her already strand
ed on the shoals of an engagement to
/ marry Howard Quarter. Then her
thoughts, Grant, wandered half the
world over before they returned to ST.
ward, and when at length they did,
and meaning to be civil, she spoke
again of his acquaintance with Quar-
rier at the PATRONS club, the club it.
self being sufficient to settle Siward's
status in every community.
"I'm trying to remember what 1t IS
I have heard about you," she contin-
ued amiably. You are
An odd expression in his eyes ar
rested her long enough to note their
color and expression, and she con-
tinued pleasantly: "You are Stephen
Siward, are you not? You see, l
know your name perfectly we'll" Her
straight brows contracted trifle. She
drove on, lips compressed, following
an elusive train Of thought which
vaguely, persistently, coupled his name
with something indefinitely unpleas-
ant. And she could not reconcile this
with his appearance. However, the
train of unlinked' ideas which she pur-
sued began to form the semblance OF
a chain. Coupling his name with Quar-
rier's and with a club aroused mem
ory. Vague uneasiness stirred her to
a glimmering comprehension. Siward-
Stephen Siward? One of the New York
| Siwards then-one Of that race
Suddenly the truth flashed upon her
the crude truth, lacking definite de-
tail, lacking circumstance and color
and atmosphere-merely the raw and
ugly truth
Had he looked at her, and he did
onca he could have seen only the un-