Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-08-14

"o''o"' o'0 "V ness!
Hasn't he misused your confidence?
Hasn't he taken your money! she
asked. at may be unpleasant for you
to make him unbelt but you're q COW.
ard IL you don't!'
81 wish I'd held fast now. | never
supposed Plank would take hold. II
was that driyelIng old Belwether who
scared me stiff! The minute saw
him scurrying to cover like singed
cat was fool enough to climb the
first tree. I've had my lesson. little
girl"
81 hope you'll give Howard his.
Somebody ought to-" she said quietly.
About half past they dined 10 a
white and pink dining room furnished
In dull gray walnut and served by a
stealthy. white haired, pink skinned
butler.
They had planned to go for spin In
Mortimers motor after dinner. but In
view of the Quarter fiasco neither
was In the mood for anything.
"Do you know. Leroy" she observed
as they left the table and sauntered
back into the pale blue drawing room.
"do you know that the servants
haven't been paid for three months|
"Oh. for heavens sake" he expostu.
lated, "don't begin that sort Of thing.
get enough Of that at home. get 1t
every time show my nosep' :.
II only mentioned it." she said care
lessly. "You had an opportunity to
make Howard pay you back. What
are you going to dof"
| "DoY
"Of course. You are going to do
something, suppose. You haven't yet
told me how you intend to make How
ard return the money you lost through
his juggling with your stock"
II don't exactly know myself" ad.
mltted Mortimer, still overaushed. ~
mean to put 1t to him squarely as
debt of honor that be owes. asked
him whether to invest He never
warned me not to. He is morally re-
| sponsible
She nodded
"IIl tell him so. too" clustered Nor
timer, shaking himself into an upright
posture and laying pudgy cllnched
fist on the table I'm not afraid OF
him. He'll find that out too. | know
enough to stagger him. Not that !
mean to use It. I'm not going to have
him think that my demands on him
Tor my own property resemble extor-
| ton. I've half q mind to shake that
money out of him In one way or an
other"
He struck the table and looked at
Ter for further sign Of approval
I'm not afraid of him." he repeated.
81 wish to God he were here, and ia
tell him So"
She said coolly. II was wishing that
! too"
For awhile they sat silent, preOccu-
pied. avoiding each others direct gaze,
When she rose he started, watching
her In dazed way as she walked to
the telephone.
"Shall II" she asked quietly. turning
TO him, her hand on the receiver.
"Wait. W-what are you going to
DOR be stammered.
"Call him up. Shall III
A dull throb Of fright pulsed through
him.
"You say you are not afraid of him.
Leroy"
"Now he said, with an oath. II am
not. Go ahead"
She unlocked the receiver. After
second or two her low, seven voice
sounded. There came a pause. she
rested one elbow on the walnut shelf.
the receiver tight to her ear. Then:
"Mr. Quarter. please. Yes, Mr..
Howard Quarter. No, no name. Say
II is on business of immediate impor.
lance. Very we'll, then; you may say
that Miss vyse insists on speaking to
him. Yes, I'll hold the wire."
She turned, the receiver at her ear,
and looked narrowly at Mortimer.
wont he speak to you" he de-
manded.
"I'm going to find out. Hush mo-
ment!" and In the same calm. almost
childish voice: "Oh. Howard, Is that
you? Yes, know I promised not to
do this, but that was. before things
happened. Well, what am to do when
it is necessary to talk to you? Yes. II
is necessary. tell you 1t Is necessary.
am sorry It Is not convenient for you
to talk to me, but ! really must ask
you to listen. No, shall not write. !
want to-. talk to you tonight-now!
Yes, you may come here II you care
to. think you had better come, HOW
ard, because am lie Bile to continue
ringing your telephone until you are
willing to listen. No, there IL nobody
here. am alone. What timer very
we'll; I shall expect you. Goodby."
She hung up the receiver and turned
to Mortimer:
"He's coming up at once. Did l say
anything to scare him, particularly
Zone things sure as preaching. salo
Mortimer. 'aHes coward, and In
glad OF It," he added naively, re!isne'
ing his cigar, which had gone OUT.
"If lie comes up In his motor he'll DC
here In few minutes" she saio.
Suppose you take your hat and go out.
don't want him to think wnat NC
will think II he walks into the room
and finds you waiting. You nave you,
key, Leroy. Walk down the block ano
when you see him come In give MN
Eve minutes"
fro BE Continued