Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-06
CHAPTER
EIGHT k
lContinued.l


The door was opened by Il very old
man wearing the black swnllowtail
clothes and choker of an old time but
Ter, spotless quite immaculate, but
cut after fashion no young man re
members.
Good evening, Gumble," said Fleet
wood, entering, followed on tiptoe by
Plank
Good evening. sir" A pause and il
the unsteady voice of age: Mr. Flee
wood, sir. Mr. bow and tn
dim eyes peering up at Plank, who
stood fumbling for his cardcase.
Fleetwood dropped both cards on tn
salver unstcadily extended. The but
Ter ushered them into dim room or
the right.
How is Mr. Siward?" asked Fleet;
wood. pausing on the threshold and
dropping his voice
The old man hesitated, looking
down: then still looking away from
Fleetwood "Bravely. sir; bravely, Mr.
Fleetwood
1.-THE Siwards were always that, )"
said the young man gently.
Yes, sir Thank you. Mr. Stephen
Mr.. Siward," he corrected quantity,
lis lndisposed, sir. 1t was IA great
shock to us all, sir" He bowed and
turned away, holding his salver stifily,
and they heard him muttering under
his breath: "Bravely, sir; bravely. A
great shock. sir. Thank you"
The butler returned presently, say.
ing that Mr. Slward was at home and
would receive them in the library
above as he was not yet able to pass
up and down stairs.
Slward was sitting In an armchair
by the window, one leg extended. his
left foot, stlffiy cased in bandages.
resting on footstool.
why. Stephen exclaimed Fleet
wood, Fastening forward, II didn't
know you were laid up like this"
Siward offered his hand inquiringly:
then his eyes turned toward Plank
who stood behind Fleetwood, and.
slowly dlsengaging his hand from
Fleetwoods sympathetic grip, he of
Iereu IL 10 1ldHk.
ut is very kind Of you" he said.
"Gumbe. Mr. Fleetwood prefers rye
for some inscrutable reason. Mr..
Plank His smile was a question
"If you don't mind" said Plank, ~
should like to have some tea-that is.
IT,
'Tea, Gumble, for two. We'll tipple
in company. Mr.. Plank he added
"And the cigars are at your elbow,
Billy" with another smile at Fleet
wood
Now" said the latter after he had
lighted his cigar, what is the ma:
ter, Stephen?
Siward glanced al his stifiy extend
ed foot Nothing much" He red
dened family 81 slipped. It's only
twisted ankle"
For moment or two the answer sat
isfied Fleetwood; then sudden, curl
Gus flash OF suspicion came into his
eyes. He glanced sharply at Siward
who lowered his eyes. while the red
tint in his hollow cheeks deepened.
Neither spoke for awhile. Plank sip
ped the tea which Wands, the second
man, brought. Siward brooded over
his cup, head bent. Fleetwood made
more noise than necessary with his
ice.
"Why did you drop the Saddle club
Stephen" asked Fleetwood.
'Tm not riding. have no use fol
It," replied Siward.
"You've cut out the Proscenium club
too, and the Owls Head and the
Trophy. It's shame, Stephen"
"Im tired of clubs"
Don't talk that way"
Every well, WON'T" said Siward
smiling. "Tel me what is happening
out there" He made gesture toward
the window "All the gossip the news
papers miss. I've talked DR.. Grisby t.
death; I've talked Gumble to death
I've read myself stupid. What's goins
on, Billy?"
So Fleetwood sketched for him 1
gay cartoon of events, caricaturing va
rious episodes in the social kaleido
scope which might interest him. Pol
tiles was touched upon, and they
spoke of the possibility Of Ferrall go
ing to the assembly, the sport of bos
hate mo- I'M