Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-18
SYNOPSIS of PROCEEDING CHAPTERS

SYNOPSIS of PROCEEDING CHAPTERS
CHAPTER Twisting Shotover, the coun-
try house of the Ferralls, are Sylvia Landis
of high rank in New York society, and Ste
phen Siward who is under a cloud OF disap-
proval by society. Sylvia is almost engaged
60 Howard Quarter. Mrs. Ferrall's cousin
who is expected at Shotover. u-Silvia be-
comes interested in Siward and neglects
meeting Quarter at the station. AS govern
or of the PatrOons one of New Yorks ex-
elusive clubs, Quarter has been instrument
tai in Siwards expulsion on a charge of
bringing into the club rooms disguised
girl, and relations between the two men are
strained. Quarter is immensely wealthy.
ITI-Siward, who is the victim of a heredl-
tary tendency toward strong drink. is
SRubbed by Major Belwether. Sylvia'S uncle
and guardian. The women of Sylvia's fam
ilV have had for several generations repu-
5atiOn for indiscretion. Sylvia and Siward
become very friendly. Ferrall finds stephen
'dazed with drink in his room. IV-SYlvia
and Stephen are paired in the hunt. He
makes love to her despite her engagement
to Quarter. V-AmOng the guests at Shot
over is Leroy Mortimer, who remains in
doors while the others shoot. Sylvia con-
fdes to Grace Ferran her interest in ST.
ward. She is not in love with Quarter, but
will marry him for mis- veal n. Stephen has
a hard struggle with his master vice, In
midnight talk Sylvia admits to Stephen her
love for him, but declares that she is too
materially selfish to give up Quarter. L
do not give you up ''says Stephen. Whey
serly Plank, the wealthy owner of Black
Fells. trying to gain a footing at ShOtover,
lands between Mr.. and Mrs. Mortimer.
Mortimer has seen Stephen kissing Sylvia
and on the following day spies on the two
as they talk. VII-Mortimer takes up
Plank. The former contemplates black
mailing Major Belwether or Quarter by
means of his knowledge concerning Sylvia
and Stephen.
She had turned rather white under
the direct impact of the questions.
The Earring repetition of his voice it.
self was like the dull echo Of distant
blows. Yet it never occurred to her to
resent it nor his attitude nor his self
assumed privilege. She did not care.
She no longer cared what he said to
her or thought about her, nor did she
care that her mask had fallen at last.
1t was not what he was saying, but
what her own heart repeated so heav-
lily that drove the color from her face.
Not he, but she herself had become the
Fpftiless attorney for the prosecution;
science within her demanded by what
right she used the name Of friendship
to characterize the late relations be-
tween her and the man to whom she
had denied herself.
Then a bitter impotence swept her
and a dawning fear, too, for she had
3 set her foot ON the fallen mask, and
the impulse rendered her reckless.
4'Why don't you speak?' she said.
ayes, 1 have a right to know. l care
for him as much as you do Why don't
you answer me? 1 tell you l care for
himr'
do your he said in a dull voice.
ssThen help me out, if you can, for
don't know what to do, and if ! did |
haven't the authority Of friendship
as nv warrant He is in New York.
He did go to the country, and at his
home the servants suppose he is still
away, but he isn't He is here alone
and sick-sick of his ole sickness. L
saw him, and''-Plank rested his head
on his hand, dropping his eyes-'.and
he didn't know me. II do not think
he will remember that he met me or
that l spoke And 1 could do nothing.
absolutely nothing And l don't know
where he is He will go home after
awhile. / call every day to see-see
what can be done, but if he were
there / would not know what to do.
When he does go home I won't know
what to say, what to try to do. And
that is an answer to your question,
Miss Lands. l give it because you
say you care for him as do. Will you
advise me what to do, you, who are
more entitled than l am to know the
truth, because lie has given you the
friendship which he has as yet not &C
corded to meT
But Sylvia, dry eyed, dry Tipped,
could find no voice to answer, and aft
er little while they rose and moved
through the fragrant gloom toward the
sparkling lights beyond.
Her voice came back as they en-
tered the brilliant rooms. 4 should
like to find Grace Ferrall," she said
very distinctly. please keep the 9th
ers off, Mr.. Plank"
Fleetwood had missed his dance with
her, but she scarcely heard his eager
complaints. Quarter, coldly inquir-
ing, confronted them, was passed al
most without recognition and left be-
hind motionless, looking after them out
OF his narrowing, black fringed eyes
Of woman.
Then Ferrall came, and, hearing his
voice, she raised her colorleSs face.
''WilI you take me home with you,
Kemp, when you take Grace?" she
asked.
"Of course. 1 don't know where
Grace is. Are you in a hurry to go?
Its only o'clock"
They were at the entrance to the sup
per room. Plank drew up chair for
her, aud she sank down, dropping her
elbows on the small table and resting
her face between her fingers.
oPegged ont. Sylvia? exclaimed Fer