Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-06-26

ueuNN CulinuCg lLC oSPNh Va 'NS 1~~@>
en- windows limiting of the thickness OF
wall and foundation. Window cur
tains of obsolete pattern, all alike and
all drawn, masked the blank panes.
Three massive wistaria vines, the
gnarled stems as thick as tree trunks,
crawled upward to the roof, dividing
the facade equally and furnishing
some relief to its fairness, otherwise
unbroken except by the deep reveals
Of window and door. Two huge and
unsymmetrical catalpa trees stood sen.
tinels before 1t, dividing curb from
asphalt, and from the centers Of the
the stoop under the basement windows
two aged Rose of Sharon trees bristlcd
naked to the height of the white mar
BILE capitals Of the taking pillars sup
porting the stained porticO.
mice old family mausoleum," com.
mented Fleetwood, descending from
the hanson, followed by Plank.
The door was opened by very old
man wearing the black swallowtail
clothes and choker of an old time but
Ter, spotless, quite immaculate, but
cut after a fashion no young man re-
members.
"Good evening, Gumble," said Fleet
wood, entering, followed on tiptoe by
Plank.
"GoOd evening, sir" A pause and in
the unsteady voice of age: "Mr. Fleet
wood, sir Mr. A bow and the
dim eyes peering up at Plank, who
stood fumbling for his cardcase.
Fleetwood dropped both cards on the
salver unsteadily extended. The but
Ter ushered them into a dim room on
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"
''The Siwards were always that"
said the young man gently.
Eyes, sir Thank you. Mr.. Stephen
MFR. Siward," he corrected quantity,
SIS indispOsed, sir. 1t was IA great
shock to us all, sir" He bowed and
turned away, holding his salver stiffiy,
and they heard him mutterng under
his breath: "Bravely sir; bravely. A
a great shock, sir Thank YOU"
The butler returned presently, say
ing that Mr. Siward was at home and
would receive them in the library
above, as he was not yet able to pass
up and down stairs
Siward was sitting in an armchair
by the window, one leg extended, his
left foot, stiffly 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 disengsging his hand from
Fleetwood's sympathetic grip, he Of
fered it to Plank.
1T is very Kind OF you,' he said.
"Gumble. Mr.. Fleetwood prefers rye
for some inscrutable reason. Mr..
plank?" His smile was a question.
"If you don't mind" said Plank, 81
should like to have some tea-that is,
IT,
"Tea, Gumble, for two. Well 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 mat
ter, Stephen?"
Siward glanced at his stitfiy extend
ed foot. Nothing much" He red
dened family. 81 slipped. It's only
q twisted ankle"
For moment or two the answer sat-
isfied Fleetwood; then a sudden, curl
Gus fash 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.
'I'm not riding. / have no use for
it." replied Siward.
you've cut out the Proscenium club,
too, and the Owls Head and the
Trophy. It's a shame, Stephen"
"I'm tired of clubs"
"Don't talk that way"
"Very well, / won't" said Siward,
smiling. "Tell me what is happening
out there" He made gesture toward
the window. "All the gossip the news
papers miss. I've talked DR.. Grisby to
death; I've talked Gumble to death;
I've read myself stupid. What's going
on, Billy%
So Fleetwood sketched for him a
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 60
ing to the assembly, the sport Of boss
batting having
6 &; !: !: !: !:
Fri become fashion
O. &H~A able among anna
3I ny S%> tours and provid- |
T. WM N ing a new amuse-
NM / M ment for the idle |
lSNSYM rich. So city, |