Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-04-22

v G:.a market speculat,
ed upon, and
Don't do that. Billy" presently CONVEX. |
smt'e" S'"u'u' sation died out. !
with a yawn from Fleetwood as he
looked into his empty glass at the last
bit OF ice.
Don't do that, Billy" smiled Siward.
"You haven't discoursed upon art, lit
erature and science yet, and you can't
go until you've adjusted the affairs OF
the nation for the next twenty-four
hours
How soon will you be outr' inquir-
ed Fleetwood.
"Out? l don't know. ! shall try to
drive TO the Office tomorrow"
"why the devil did you resign from
all your clubs? How can l see you II
I don't come herew began Fleetwood
impatiently II know, Of course, that
you're not going anywhere, but a man
always goes to his club. You don't
look well. Stephen. You are too much
alone"
Siward did not answer. His face and
body had certainly grown thinner
since Fleetwood had last seen hin.
Plank. too, had been shocked at the
change In him-the dark, hard lines I'M
der the eyes; the pallor, the curious
immobility OF the man, save for his
fingers, which were always restless,
now moving In search of some small
4 object to worry and turn over and
over now nervously settling into a
grasp on the arm of his chair.
How Is Amalgamated ElectricT'
asked Fleetwood abruptly.
81 think It's all right. Want 10 buy
semeY' replied Siward, smiling.
Plank stirred In his chair ponder
ously. Somebody Is kicking II to
pieces" he said.
"Somebody is trying to-" smiled 81
ward.
Harrington" nodded Fleetwood. 81
ward nodded back. Plank was silent
"Of course" continued Fleetwood
tentatively, you people need not wor
~ with Howard Quarter back oil
you"
Nobody said anything for awhile
Presently Siwards restless hands
moving In search OF something, en-
countered a pencil lying ON the table
beside him. and he picked II up ane
began drawing initials and scrolls OF
the margin of a newspaper, and all The
scrolls framed initials. and all tn
initials were the same. twining ant
twisting into endless variations Of tn
letters s. l..
Eyes, I must go TO tAe Office tomor
, row." he repeated absently. II an
, better-ln fact, am quite well excep
for this sprain." He looked down a
, his bandaged foot: then his pencil NOV
ed listlessly again, continuing the END
! less variations on the two letters.
was plain that he was tired.
: Fleetwood rose and made his adieu
] almost affectionately. Plank move
forward on tiptoe, bulky and noiselesi
2 and Siward held cut his hand, sayin
D something amiably formal
:. would you like to have rue com
again. asked Plank, red with emba
- rassment. yet so naively that at frs
Siward found no words TO answer hin
q then:
=, "would you care to come, NJ
Il Plank
a Eyes"
,. Siward looked at him curiously, a
r most cautiously. HIS first impression
= Of the man had been summed up
one contemptuous word. Besides, ba
v ring that, what was there in commc
d between himself and such n type |
v Plank? He had not even trouble
's himself to avoid him at shotover. "a
had merely been aware of him whe
II Plank spoke to him.
Is Perhaps Plank had changed, perhaI
s. siward had. for he found nothing o
fensive I'm the bulky young man now
T. nothing particularly attractive, eithe
II except for a certain simplicity, ce
tain direct candor I'm the heavy bl'
y; eyes which met his squarely.
k, "Come In for cigar when you ha'
d. few moments idle" said Siwal
m slowly
" "It VIII give me great pleasure
said Plank, bowling.
a And that was all. He followed Flee
We wood down the stairs. Wands he
n. their coats and bowed them out I'm
the falling shadows OF the winter tv
II light.
IT, siward, sitting beside his windo
watched them enter their hanson al
lie Drive away up the avenue. A d'
d. flush had settled over his checks, [
W, aroma Of spirits hung In the air, a
1t. he looked across the room Mt the
canter. Presently he drank some
nd his tea, but II was lukewarm, and
1T pushed the cup from him.
"Gumble. are you therer he ask
ID carclcssly
d. The butler entered from the hs