Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-28
There was something wrong.
Copyright, 1905 BY the Curtis Publishing Company.
Copyright, 1903 by Robert w. Chambers.

speed. And when he stopped III at laSl
Harrington's grist had been ground to
atoms and Quarter had looked on
without comment There seemed to be
little more for them to do except to
pay the miller
Tomorrow" said Quarter. rising
to go 1t was on the edge of Plank's
lips to say To-day" but he was silent,
knowing that Harrington would speak
for him And the old man did, with
out words turning his iron vlsage Oh.
Quarter with the silent dignity o!
despair But Quarter coldly demand
cd Il day before they reckoned will.
Plank. And Plank. profoundly dis
turbed, shrugged hi, massive shoulders
in contemptuous assent.
SO Quarter and Harrington went
away. the younger partner taking
leave of the older with sheer for an
Outworn prop which no man could
ever again have use for. Old and
beaten. that was all Harrington now
stood for in Quarters eyes. The least
OF his victims might now finish him
with club where he swayed In his
loosened saddle or leave him to that
horseman on the pale horse watching
him yondcr on the horizon.
For now. whether Harrington LIVED
or died, he must he counted as nothing
in this new struggle darkly outlining
it's initial strategy in Quarters brain.
What was coming was coming be-
tween himself ana Plank alone The
result must be attained swiftly, with
secrecy and with the aid of no man.
For he did not count Mortimer a man.
At the door of Major Belwether's
house Sylvla's maid received Quarter
smiingly. saying that her mistress WAS
not at home. but that Mrs. Mortimer
was-which saved Quarter the neces-
sity Of asking for a private conference
with Leila, which was exactly what
he had come for. But her first I'M
guarded words on receiving him as he
rose at her entrance into the darkened
drawing room changed that plan, too
changed it all so utterly and so much
for the better that he almost smiled to
think of the crudity of human combi-
nations and inventions as compared to
the mastery Vaccinations of fate.
Leila said. laughingly: ooh. you are
too late. Howard. We are dining with
Mr.. Plank at Riverside inn. What in
the world are you doing in town so
suddenlyY'
"a business telegram. I might have
come down with you and Sylvia if
had known. Is Plank dining with you
aloneY"
II haven't seen him." smiled Leil,
evasively "He will tell us his plan
Of course when he comes"
ooh" said Quarter, dropping b;
eyes and glancing furtively toward til
curtained windows. AT the instant i.
hanson drove up. Sylvia sprang out
ran lightly up the low steps, and thu
silent, shrouded house rang with tho
clamor Of the bell.
Leila looked curously at Quarter
who sat motionless, head partly avert
ed, as though listening to something
heard by him alone. He believed per
haps that he was listening to the voice
Of fate again, and 1t may have been
So for already for the third time all
his plans were changing to suit this
new ally Of his-this miraculous fate
which was shaping matters for him
as he waited. Sylvia had started up
stairs like a fragrant whirlwind, but
her flying feet halted Mt Leila's con.
strained voice from the drawing room,
and she spun around and came into
the darkened room like an April breeze.
Leila. They'll be here at quarter
to -
Her breath seemed to leave her body
as shadowy figure rose in the I'M
certain light and confronted her.
Your
He said, Didn't you recognize the
car outsider"
She had not even seen it, so excited,
so deeply engaged had she been with
the riotous tumult of her own thoughts.
And still her hurt, unbelieving gaze
widened to dismay as she stood there
halted on the threshold, and still his
eyes, narrowing, held her under their
expressonless inspection.
when did you come? Why?" she
asked in an altered voice.
81 came on business. Naturally, be-
ing here, I came to see you. under
stand you are dining out?"
Yes, we are dining out"
I'm sorry didn't wire you, because
we might have dined together. saw
Plank this afternoon. Eis did not say
you were to dine with him. Shall l
see you later in the evening, Sylvia"
cit will be too late"--
ooh, tomorrow then! What train do
you take?'
Sylvia did not answer. He picked
up his hat, repeating the question care
lessly, and still she made no reply.
"Shall l see you tomorrow he ask
ed, swinging on her rather suddenly.
II think-not there will be no
time
He bowed quietly to Leila, offering
his hand. "Who did you say was to
dine with you'll besides Plank"
Leila stood silent. then, withdrawing
her fingers, walked tc the window.
Quarter, his hat in his gloved hands,
looked from one to the other. his In
curing eyes returning and focused on
Sylvia.
"Who are you dining with:" he ask
ed with authority.
"Mr. Plank and Mr.. Siward.'
"Mr. Siward." he repeated in sur