Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-07-03


"Yes." she said slowly. as he bet
terY
Il hope So"
"You hope So" with the controlled
emphasis. of impatience.
"Yes. Don't you, Miss Lands? When
saw him at bis home he was lame
on crutches-and he looked rather
! CHASTITY, and all he said was that he
expected to leave for the country. ]
asked him to shoot next year at Black
Fells. and he seemed bothered about
business and said 1t might keep him
from taking any vacation"
HE spoke about his business"
Eyes. he
"What Is the trouble With his bust
ness? Is 1t anything about Amaiga,
mated and lntercOuhty%
II think So
as he worried?"
Plank said deliberately, 81 should be
IL my interests were locked up In
Amalgamated Electric"
Gould you tell me why that would
worry your she asked. smiling per
suasively across at him.
NO." he said, II can't tell you"
Because wouldn't understand"
Because myself don't understand"
She thought awhile, brushing the
rose velvet of her mouth with the fans
edge, then, looking up confidently:
"Afr. Siward is such boy. I'm so
glad he has you to advise him In such
matters"
"What matters y asked Plank bluntly.
"Why, in-in financial matters"
"But don't advise him."
"Why not?'
because he hasn't asked me to, Miss
Landis."
"lIe ought to ask you. He must ask
Jou. Don't wait for him, Mr.. Plank.
He is only boy in such things"
And, as Plank was silent:
"You will, won't your"
| "Do what-make his business my
business without an invitation ask
ed Plank 80 quietly that she flushed
with annoyance.
IF you pretend to be his friend, is 1t
not your duty to advise him.? she
asked impatiently.
"No: that is for his business asso-
ciates to do. Friendship comes to
grief when It crosses the frontiers Of
| business"
THAT is a narrow view to take, Mr..
Plank"
Eyes. straight and narrow. The
boundaries of friendship are straight
and narrow. 1t is best to keep to the
| trodden path-best not to walk on the
! grass or trample the flowers"
II think you are sacrificing friend
ship for an epigram." she said, careless
Of the undertone of contempt in her
voice.
"I have never sacrificed friendship
He turned and looked at her pleasant
ly 81 never made an epigram con-
sciously, and have never required of
friend more than had to offer IN
return. Have your
The flush of hot displeasure stained
her cheeks.
Are you really questioning me, Mr..
Plank?"
"Yes. You have been questioning
me rather seriously, have you not"
81 did not comprehend your defini.
ton of friendship. / did not agree
with it. ! questioned it, not you.
That is all"
Plank rested his head on one big
hand and stared at the clusters Of dim
blossoms behind her, and after awhile
he said, as though thinking aloud:
"Many have taken my friendship
for granted and have never offered
their own in return. do not know
about Mr.. Siward. There is nothing ]
can do for him, nothing he can do for
me. If there is to be friendship be-
tween us 1t will be disinterested, and
I would rather have that than any
thing in the world, think"
There was a pause, but when Sylvia
would have broken 1t his gesture COM
mitted her to silence. with the dignity
one might use in checking persistent
child.
"You question my definition of friend
ship. Miss lands | should have let
your question pass, however keenly 1t
touched me, had 1t not also touched
him. Now am going to say some
things which lie within the straight
and narrow bounds spoke Of. | new
er knew man l cared for as much
as | care for Mr.. Siward. / know
why too. He is disinterested. do
not believe he wastes very many
thoughts on me. Perhaps he will l
want him to like me If it's possible.
But one thing yot and may be sure
Off he does not care to return the
friendship offer him he will never
accept anything else from me, though
he might give at my request, and that
is the sort Of man he is, and that Is
why he Is every inch a man, and so !
like him. Miss Lands. Do you won
der%
She did not reply.
do you wonder" he repeated
sharply
mo" she said.
Then He Strengthened up, and |
the silent significance Of his waiting
attitude was plain enough to her.
But she shook her head impatiently, |
saying: II don't know whose dance 1t
Is. and l don't care. Please go on. 1t
isis pleasant like Mr.. Siward; !
like to hear men speak of him as you
do. like you for doing 1t. lyon
should ever come to care for my
friendship that is the best passport to