Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-04

rion were occupied IN the formers
sketch for an ideal shooting vehicle ia
be built ON the blackboard principle.
with a clever arrangement for dogs,
guns. ammunition and provisions. ST.
wards profile as 1t bent in the lamp
light over the paper was very engag
ing.
Sylvia had taken a hesitating step
toward them, but halted. turning ir.
resoluteiy. and suddenly over her crepi
a sensation OF solatlon-something OF
that feeling which had reused her at
midnight rom her bed aud driven her
to Grace ferrall for a refuge from she
knew not what.
The rustic of her silken dinner gown
WAS scarcely perceptible as she turned.
Siward. moving his head slightly.
glanced lp, then brought his sketch t.
a brilliant finish.
"Don't YOU think something of this
SORT Is practicabley' he asked pleasant
ly, Including Mrs. ferrall and Kath-
ryn asset In a general appeal which
brought them into the circle OF two.
Grace Ferrall leaned forward. looking
over MarioH's shoulder. and Siward
rose and stepped back. with a quick
glance into the hall--in time to catch
a glimmer of pale blue and lace on the
stairs
Il suppose my cigarettes are In my
room as usual" he said aloud TO him
self. wheeling so that he could not
have time to see Marion's offer OF her
little gold incrusted case or notice her
quickly raised eyes. bright with suspi-
cion and vexation.
He greeted her In his usual careless.
happy fashion just as she reached her
chamber door. and she turned at the
sound of his voice. confused. unsmil-
ing. little pale
us il headache or are you, too, In
quest of cigarettesY" he asked as he
stopped In passing her where she
stood one slender hand on The knob
OF her door
II don't smoke, you know" she said,
looking up at him. with a cold little
laugh 1T isn't headache either.
was boring myself. Mr. Siward."
as there any virtue in me as rem.
edyg
"Oh. | have no doubt you have lots
OF virtues. Perhaps you might do as a
temporary remedy first aid TO the in
Jured" She laughed again uncertainty.
But You are on quest for olga
rettes"
"And your"
"A rendezvous with the sand man
Good night"
'Good night. If YOU must say It,"
IT'S polite to say something isn't
ltYr
1T would be polite to say, With
pleasure. Mr. Siwardr"
but YOU haven't invited me to 90
anything not even TO accept a cige.
rette Besides. YOU didn't expect To
meet me up hereG'
The trailing accent made IL near
enough question for him TO say. Yes.
/ did
How could youf
Il saw you leave the room"
you were sketching for Marion
Page DO you wish me to believe That
you noticed me anu
"And followed you? Yes did fol
low you"
She looked at him. then past him to-
ward a corner OF the wide hall whore
a maid in cap and apron sat pretend
ing TO bo sewing Careful she mo
toned with smiling lips Servants
gossip. Good nigh again"
Couldn't we have a moment
NO"
lone minute
"Hush. I must open my door" lin.
gering II might come out again II
you have anything particularly i'm.
portant to communicate to me"
Il have There's big bay window
at the end OF the other corridor. VIII
you Gomez"
But she opened the door. with a light
laugh. saying Good night" again
and closed it noiselessiy behind her.
He walked on. turning into his cor
rldor. but kept straight ahead. passing
his own door. on To the window at the
end of the hall, then north along a
wide passa geway which terminated in
bay window overlooking the roof OF
the indoor swimming tank.
1t appeared that he had cigarettes
enough, for he lighted one presently
and. leaving his chair, curled up In the
cushioned and piIlowed window seat
gathering his knees together under his
arm.
The cigarette he had lighted went
out He had bitten into IL and twisted
II so roughly that II presently crum
bled, and he threw the rags of II into
metal bowl, locking his jaws In 81
lence. for the night threatened TO be q
bad one for him. A heavy fragrance
from his neighbor's wineglass at din
ner had stirred up what had for time
lain dormant. and by accident some
thiDg-some sweetmeat he had tasted
was saturated I'm brandy.
Now his restlessDess at the pros
pect OF n blank night had quickened e
uneasiness. with hint Of fever tintina
his skin. but as yet the dull ache In his
body was scarcely more than pre-
monltl0n
He had his own devices for tidinr
him over such periods-readIng. tobac
CO and the long, blind. logged tramp.
he took In town. but here tonight In
the rain one stood every chance OF