Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-09

her flying feet halted at LeilaS con-
strained voice from the drawing room,
and she spun around and came into
the darkened room like an April breeze.
leila! They'll be here at a quarter
to ~
Her breath seemed to leave her body
as shadowy figure rose in. the un-
certain light and confronted her..
your
He said, Didn't you recognize the
car outsider
She had not even seen it, so excited,
so deeply engaged had she been with
the riotous tumultof her own thoughts.
And still her hurt, unbelieving gaze
widened to dismay as she stood there
halted on the threshold, and still his
eyes, narrowing, held her under their
expressionless inspection.
"When did you come? Why?" she
asked in an altered voice.
81 came on business. Naturally, be-
ing here, l came to see you. under
stand you are dining out?"
ayes, we are dining out"
"I'm sorry didn't wire you, because
we might have dined together. 1 saw
Plank this afternoon. He did not say
you were to dine with him. Shall i
see you later in the evening, Sylvan"
cit will be too late''-
ooh, tomorrow then! What train do
you take?'
Sylvia did not answer. He picked
up his hat, repeating the question care
lessly, and still she made no reply.
''Shall 1 see you tomorrow he ask
ed, swinging on her rather suddenly.
II think-not. There will be no
time
He bowed quietly to Leila, offering
his hand. 'Who did you say was to
dine with you-besides Plank?"
Leila stood silent then, withdrawing
her fingers, walked to the window.
Quarter, his hat in his gloved hands,
looked from one to the other, his in
quiring eyes returning and focused on
Sylvia.
"Who are you dining within" he ask
ed with authority.
"Mr. Plank and Mr.. Siward."
'NIr. Siward," he repeated in sur
prised displeasure, as though he had
not already OWNED it.
"Yes-a man l like"
"a man l dislike" he rejoined with
the slightest emphasis.
81 am SORRY" she said simply.
$50 am l. Sylvia. And / am going
to ask you to make him an excuse.
Any excuse will do"
Excuse? What do you mean. How
ardY'
81 mean that l do not care to have
you seen with Mr.. Siward. Have
ever demanded very much of you, Syl-
via? Very well. I demand this of
you now"
And still she stood there, her eyes
wide, her color gone, repeating: Eek
cuse? What excuse? What do you
mean by excuse Howardw
81 have told you. You know my
wishes. If he has telephone you can
communicate with him
"And say that THAT you forbid
me-
eff you choose. Yes, say that l OBJ
ject to him. Is there anything extraor-
binary in man objecting to his future
wife dining In the country at a COM
mon inn with a notorious outcast from
every decent club and circle in New
York;"
"Whatw she whispered, white as
death. "What did you say"
"Shall repeat what everybody ex-
cept you seems to be aware Of? Do
you care to have me explain to you
exactly why decent people have ostra-
cized this man with whom you are
proposing to figure in O. public resort"
He turned to Leila, who stood at the
window, her back turned toward them:
"Mrs Mortimer, when Mr.. Plank ar
rives you will be kind enough to ex-
plain why Sylvia is unable to accom-
pany you"
If Leila heard she neither turned
nor made sign Of comprehension.
1--WE will dine at the Santa Regina"
he said to Sylvia. Agatha is there,
and I'll find somebody at the club
to-
"Why bother to find anybody" said
Leila, wheeling on him, exasperated.
w uy uOL u1uG LuCLC WILL A6UIAo
alone? 1t will not be the first time,
fancy!'
"What do you meanT he said fierce
ly under his breath. The color had
left his face, too, and in his eyes Leila
saw for the first time an expression
that she had never before surprised
in any eyes except her husbands.
GCUhaf do 7 mean 2" rnnpated Leila.
ST mean what say, and if you don't
understand it you can find the key to
it, l fancy. Nor shall answer to you
for my guests. invite whom choose.
Mr.. Siward is one, Mr.. Plank is an
other. Sylvia, if you care to come
shall be delighted"
81 do care to come" said Sylvia.
Her heart was beating violently; her
eyes were on Quarter.
eff you co." said Quarter, showing
the glimmering edge Of teeth under his
I,aard GEvou will answer To me for it."