Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-10
ned and essayed chuckle withon,

ned and essayed a chuckle without
SUCCESS
Sylvia, at first listess and uninter-
ested. looked inqulringly from the ma
jor TO Quarter. surprised at the sup
pressed feeling exhibited over SO trlv-
ial gaucherie If Quarter had chosen
collar like Agatha's for her what of
1t? I;ut as he had not. on his own
statement what did 1t matter! why
should he look that way at the foollsh
major, to whose garrulous gossip he
was accustomed and whose inability
to refrain from prying was notorious
enough.
Turning disdainfully, she caught
glimpse of Plank's shocked and al
tered face 1t rclapsed instantly into
the usual inert expression. and queer,
uncomfortable perpleXity began TO IN
wade her What had happened TO STIR
up these three men? OF what impor-
lance was an indiscreton of an Old
gentleman whose fatuous vanity ana
consequent plumbers everybody was
familiar with? And, after all, How
ard had not bought anything ut Tiff
fanv's. He said so himself. But 1T
was evident that Agatha had Glanced
on the collar that Belwether thought
| he saw somebody else examining
She turned and looked at the dead
| white neck Of the girl. The collar was
wonderfuI--a miracle of pale fire. And
Sylvia, musing, let her thoughts run
on. dreamy eyes brooding. She was
glad that Agatha's means permitted
her now to have such things. 1t had
been understood for some years that
the Cnithness fortune was in rather an
alarming condition. Howard had been
able recently to do favor or two for
old Peter Caitbness. she had heard
the major Dragging about 1t. Evident
ly Mr.. Caithness must have improved
the chance IL he was able to present
such gems to his daughter. And now
somebody would marry her. Perhaps
Captain Voucher, perhaps even Alder
dene, perhaps. as rumor had 1T now
and then, Plank might venture into the
arena. Poor Plank More Of. man
than people understood. She under
stood She
And her thoughts swung back like
the returning tide to Siward, and her
heart began heavily again, and the
slightly faint sensation returned. She
passed her ungloved. unsteady fingers
/ across her eyelids and forehead, look
ing up and around. The major and
Howard had disappeared. Plank, be-
side her, sat staring stupidity into his
empty wineglass.
Isn't Mrs. Terrall coming?" she said
YEARLY.
Plank gathered his cumbersome bulk
and stood up, trying to see through the
entrance into the ballroom. After
moment he said: They're in there,
talking to Marion. It's a good chance
to make our adieus."
AS they passed out of the supper
room Sylvia paused behind Agatha's
chair and bent over her. THE collar
Is beautiful she said, land so are
you, Agatha" And, with u little i'm
pulsive caress for the jewels, she pass
ed on, unconscious Of the delicate
flush that spread from Agatha's Shout
dars to her hair. And Agatha, turn
irlg. encountered only the stupid gaze
Of Plank, moving ponderously past on
Sylvia's heels.
"If you'll find Leila, I'm ready at
any time" she said carelessly and re-
s,lmed her tete-a-tete with Voucher,
who had plainly been annoyed at the
interruption.
Ferrall and his wife and Sylvia were
making their adieus to Marion and
her mother when Plank came up, and
he, too, took that opportunity.
Later Sylvia, passing through the
great hall, shrouded in silk and ermine.
turned to offer him her hand, saying
in a low voice: II am at home to you.
do you understands Always" she
added nervously. He looked after her.
with an unconscious sigh. unaware
that anything in himself had claimed
her respect.
ITO Be Continued.)