Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-16

of shifting the responsibilities re-
sponsibility entailed blame-on Siward,
who, against Plank's judgment and
| desire, had on the very eve of con-
| summation drawn him away from that
sleepless vigilance which must forever
be the price of a business mans safety.
Leila, gay and excited as a school
girl, chartered on ceaselessly to Plank
all the silence, all the secrecy OF the
arid years turning to laughter c. her
red lips, pouring out in broken phrases
of delight, words strung together for
the sheer pleasure Of speech and the
happiness of her lot to be with him
unrestrained.
"And would you believe it, Bever-
ly," she said, ST formed the habit at
Shotover of walking across the bound
airy and strolling into your greenhouses
and deliberately helping myself. And
every time 1 did it 1 was certain one
of your men would march me out"
He laughed, but did not tell her that
his men had reported the first episode
and that lie had instructed them that
Mrs. Mortimer and her friends were
to do exactly as they pleased at the
Fells. However, she knew it, because
garrulous gardener, proud of his
service with Plank, had informed her.
Beverly" she said, you are a dear.
If people only knew what / known
He began to turn red She could
see it even in the Pickering lamp shot
darkness. And she leased him for
awhile, very gently, even tenderly, and
their voices grew lower in half seri-
Gus badinage that ended with a quiet,
indrawn breath, sigh and silence
And now the river swept into view,
darkly luminous sheet set with re-
fected stars. Mirrored lights cleaned
in it. Sudden bright yellow flashes
zigzagged into its somber depths The
foliage edged it with a deeper gloom,
over which, on the heights, twinkled
the multicolored lights of Riverside
inn.
Up the broad, gentle grade they sped.
curving in and out among the clumps
of trees and shrubbery, then on level,
sweeping in a great circle up to the
steps of the inn.
Now all about them from the brill
liantly lighted verandas the gay tu-
multi broke out like an uproarious well
come after the swift silence of their
journey. The stir of jolly people keen
for pleasure, the clatter of crockery,
the coming and going of walters, Of
guests, of hansoms, coupes, victorias
and scores of motor cars wheeling and
turning through the binding glare Of
their own headlights.
Somewhere a gypsy orchestra, full of
fitful crescendoes and throbbing sus-
pensions of caprice, furnished resonant
accompaniment to the joyous clamor
The scent of fountain spray and flow
ers was in the air.
Il didn't know you had telephoned
for table," said S1ward as a head
waiter came up smiling and bowling to
Plank. 81 confess in the new excite
ment of things 1 clean forgot it.
What man you are to think of other
people!''
Plank Redeemed again, muttering
something evasive, and went forward
with Leila.
Sylvia, moving leisurely beside ST
ward, who was walking slowly, but
confidently, without crutches, whis-
pered to him, 81 never really liked Mr..
Plank before l understood his attitude
toward YOU"
''He is a man, every inch,'' said ST.
ward simply.
II think that generally includes what
she asked.
Men of my sort sometimes demand
in others what they themselves are
lacking in" said Siward, laughing.
sylvia, look at this jolly crowd!
Look at all those tables! 1t seems an
age since l have done anything of this
sort. feel like a boy of eighteen
the same funny, quickening fascina-
ton in me toward everything gay and
bright and alivep He looked around
at her, laughingly. "As for you," he
said. you look about sixteen. You
certainly are the most beautiful thing
this beautiful world ever saw"
"Schoolboy cOurtshipr' she Knocked
him, lingering as he made his slow
Plank as they arrived and seat
ed themselves, 'Mr. Siward has just
admitted that he uses crutches only
because they are ornamental. Lei
la, isn't this air delicious? All sorts
of people, too, aren't there, Mr.. Plank?
Such curious looking women, some of
them-quite pretty, too, in certain
way Are you hungry, St-Mr. ST.
ward?"
| care you, St-Mr. Siward?" mimick-
ed Leila promptly.
Il am,' said Siward, laughing at
Sylvia's significant color and noting
Plank's direct gaze as the waiter filed
Leila's slender stemmed glass. And
nothing but apollinaris," he said cool
ly as the waiter approached him. But,
though his voice was easy enough, a
dull patch of color came out under the