Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-29

want what is offered me. He might
have gcopped me. He did not. And
now what is there on earth to halt
me? Love cannot Common decency
and courage cannot. Fear Of your I'M
happiness and mine cannot. No, even
the gertrude of your contempt some
day is powerless to halt me now.
could not love-I am utterly incapable
Of loving-yOu enough to balance the
sacrifice. And that is final"
Grace Ferrall came into the room
and found a duel Of silence in prog
ress under the dull fire glow tinting
the ceiling.
Another quarrel" she commented,
turning on the current Of the drop
light above the desk from which ST.
ward had risen at her entrance. "You
quarrel enough to marry. Why don't
your
ST wish we could" said Sylvia sim
ply.
Grace laughed. "What little fool
you arer' she said tenderly, seating
herself in Siward's chair and dropping
one hand over his where it rested on
the arm. stephen, can't you make
her-a big. strong fellow like you? Oh,
well; on your heads be it! Ny con-
science is now clear for the first time.
and I'll never NEEDLE again" She
gave Siward's hand a perfunctory pat
and released him with discreetly sti-
fed yawn. I'm disgracefully sleepy.
The wind blew like fury along the
coast. Sylvia, have you had a good
time at Shotover-the time Of your
life?'
tered Siward's.
Il certainly have" she said family.
The dinner was very gay. The cere-
mony of christening the Shotover cup,
which Quarter had won, proceeded
with presentation speech and a speech
of acceptance faultlessly common
place. during which Quarter wore his
smile-which was the only humorous
thing he contributed
The cup was full. Siward eyed 1t,
perpleXed. deadly afraid yet seeing no
avenue of escape from what must APP
pear a puliic exhibition of contempt
contents. That meant a bad night for
him. Yet he ShTank more from the
certain misinterpretation of a refusal
to drink from the huge loving cup.
with its heavy wreath of scented or
chids. now already on its way toward
him. than he feared the waking strug-
gle so sure to follow.
Marion received the cup lifted it in
both hands and said distinctly, "Good
huntingr' as she drank to Quarter.
Her brother Gordon took it and drank
entirely too much. Then Sylvia lifted
it, her white hands half buried among
the orchids. 'To your she murmured
for Siward's ear alone. then drank
gayly, mischievously, ''To the best shot
at ShOtover!" And Siward took the
cup. Il salute victory" he said, smil-
ing, ALWAYS and everywhere. To him
who takes the fighting chance and
wins out. To the best man! Health!'
And nix as a gentleman drinks,
with bow to Quarter and with
death ia ...S heart
Later the irony of it struck him so
grimly that he laughed, and Sylvia,
beside him, looked up, dismayed to see
the gray change in his face.
Later at cards the aromatic odor of
Alderdene's decanter reused him to
fierce desire, but he fought 1t down I'M
til only the deadened, tearing ache re-
manned to shake and loosen every
nerve. And when Ferrall, finishing
his usual batch of business letters, ar
rived to cut in if needed Siward drop
ped his cards, with a shudder. and
rose so utterly unnerved that Captain
Voucher, noticing his drawn face, ask
ed him if he were not i'll.
He was leaving on an earlier train
than the others, having decided to pass
through Boston and Deptford, at which
latter place he meant to leave Saga
more for the winter in care of the
manager of his mothers farm, so he
took a quiet leave OF those to whom
the civility might not prove an inter-
ruptiOn. In the big hall he passed
Marion and stopped to take his leave.
No, he would do no hunting this sea-
son either at Carysford or with the
two trial packs at Eastwood. Possibly
at Warrenton later, but probably not.
Business threatened to detain him in
town more or less.
And that was all, unless he disturbed
Sylvia, seated at cards with Quarter
and Major Belwether and Leila Nor
timer and very intent on the dummy.
very still and a tr;de pallid with the
palior Of concentration.
So that was all, then.
Ascending the stairs, servant hand
ed him letter bearing the crest of the
Lenox club. He pocketed it unopened
and continued his way.
In the darkness of his own room he
sat down, the devils own clutch on his
shrinking nerves. a deathly desire tear
ing at his very vitals and every vein a
tiny trail Of fire run riot. He had been
too long without 1t, too long to endure
che crovfn~ aroused by that CAV drAne