Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-05-22


come: Did you know me for the COW
ard | am:'
Il did not think YOU would come"
he repeated. haliing 10 rest un his
crutches. lie stood. balanced, staring
dreamily into the dim perspective. and
again her fascinated eyes yentured to
rest on the worn white face. listlesS,
somber In its fSedness.
The tears were very near her eyes;
the spasm in her throat checked
speech. At length she stammered. Il
did not come b.because simply
couldn't stand IT,"
His face cleared rs he turned quiet
~. Child. YOU must not confuse mat
ters. You must not think of being sor-
nv for me. The old order Is passing
ticking away on every clock In the
world. All that inverted order of
things Is being reversed You don't
know what mean. do you? All, well,
you Will know when | grow into some
thing OF what you think you rcmem.
Der In me aud when | grow out Of
what really was"
Truly don't understand, Stephen
But thcn--l am out OF training since
you wcnt-went out of things Have
| changed? DO seem more dun |
it has not been very gay with me
| don't see looking back across all the
noise, ali the chaos of the winter do
hot see how | stood it alone"
"Alone:"
"N-not seeing rou-sometimcs"
He looked at her with smiling, skep-
tical eyes. Didn't you enjoy the Win
ter"
do you enjoy being drugged with
champagne|
His face altered so quickly that con
fused. she only stared ut him, the fix
ed smile stamped on her lips; then,
overwhelmed In the revelation:
stephen. surely, surely. you know
what meant! | did not mean that!
Dear do you dream for one moment
that-that could
NO. You have not hurt me. Be
sides, | know what you mean"
After II moment he swung forward
on his clutches, biting his lip. the
frown gathering between his temples.
They We're passing the big. old fash
Toned hotel with Its white facade and
green blinds, lingering landmark OF
the older city.
"We'll telephone here" he said.
Side 10y side they Went up the great,
broad stoop and entered the lobby.
IF you'll speak TO Leila, III get
Plank on the wire. Say that We'll
stop for you Mt l."
She gave her number; then, at the
nod Of the operator, entered n small
booth. Sward was given another
booth in few moments.
Plank answered from his office. His
voice sounded grave and tired. but ii
quickened, tinged vita surprise. when
Siward made known his plan for the
evening.
us Mrs. Mortimer in town." he de.
manGed. 81 had a wire from her that
she expected to be here. and hoped
To see her at the station tomorrow on
her way 10 I.enox."
shes stopping with Miss Lands
Can't you manage to Gomez" asked ST
ward auxiously.
Il don't know. Do you wish 1t par.
ticularly? | have just seen Quarter
and Harrington. | can't quite under
stand Quarters attitude. There's Il
certain hint OF defiance about It.
Harrington is all caved in He is
ready TO thank us for any mercies
But Quarrier-there's something don't
fancy, don't exactly understand, about
his attitude. That's why I've expect.
ed to spend a quiet evening. studying
up the matter and examining every
loophole."
you've got to dine somewhere. y
said Siward. "If you could fix it to
dine with us But won't urge YOU
"l'll so. VIII you say that Wen
stop for them at ~
81 don't want to urge you" repeated
Siward.
W. ~ Aipt' u So. 'i' oiiN
moment-tell me. did Quarter know
that Mrs. Mortimer was to stop with
Miss Landis?'
wait moment. Hold the wire"
He opened the door of the booth and
saw Sylvia waiting for him, seated by
the operators desk. She rose at once
when she saw he wished to speak with
her
"Tell me something" he said in a
low voice. Did Mr.. Quarter know
that Leila was to stay overnight with
your
YES" she answered quietly, sur
prlsed. "Why"
Siward nodded vaguely. closed the
door again and said to Plank:
Yes, Quarter knows 1t. Do you
think he'll be there tonight? l don't
suppose Miss Lands and Mrs. Nor
timer know he is in town."
Plank's troubled voice came back
over the wire. II don't know. don't
know what to think. suppose I'm q
little, just trif1e, overworked. Some
body once said that had one nerve
In me somewhere, and Quarters prob
ably found 1t. That's ALL"
IF you think it better not to come
I'll come. III stop for you III the
motor. - Don't worry, old fellow. And
take your fighting chance. Goodby.'
Siward, absorbed in his own
thoughts, rose and walked slowly out
Of the booth. utterly unconscious that
he had left his clutches leaning up
right In the corner. 1t was only the
surprise dawning into tremulous de-
t light Oh Sylvia's face that at last ar