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

asked, desired TO be pnrt or What you
always have been part Of. Is 1t d
great deal l askf Tell me, Mr.. 81
wari--for / don't know--is 1t too much
to expects?
81 don't think 1t Is very high am.
bition," said Siward, smiling. What
you ask is not very much to ask OF
life, Mr.. Plank"
Plank laughed little, and his squar-
ed jaws relaxed; then after few mo-
ments' thought:
at is curious that what you cast
away from you so easily ! am waiting
for with all the patience I have in me.
And yet it is always yours to pick up
again whenever you wish, and | may
never live to possess it."
He was so perfectly right that ST.
ward said nothing-in fact, he could
have no particular interest or sympa-
thy for mans quest of what he him.
self did not understand the lack Of.
He was, now that he knew Plank, con-
tented to accept him anywhere he met
him, but Plank's upward evolutions
upon the social ladder were of no In
terest to him, and his naive snobbery
was becoming something of bore.
So Siward directed the conversation
into other channels, and Plank, accept
| ing another cup of tea, became very
communicative about his stables and
his dogs.
T-would you'll should like to ask
you to try some shooting at the FEELS"
stammered Plank, next season If you
would care to-"
you're very good. should like TO
IL were going to shoot at all, but l
fancy my shooting days are over for
awhile"
"Overr'
Business" nodded Siward, absently
grave again. 81 see no prospect of
my idlng for the next year or two"
"You are in-in Amalgamated Elec-
trio, think" ventured Plank.
every much ill.," replied the other
frankly. you've read the papers and
heard rumors, suppose?"
"Some. | don't suppose anybody
quite understands the attacks on Anal
gamated"-
II don't-not yet. Do you"
Plank sat silent; then his shrewd
under lip began to protrude.
"I'm wondering" he began cautious
~, show much the Algonquin crowd
understands about the matter?'
Slward's troubled eyes were on him
as he spoke, watching closely. mar
rowly.
''Pve heard that rumor before" he
said
$50 have l." said Plank. "and it
seems Incredible" He looked warily
at Siward. Suppose 1t Is true that
the Algonquin Trust company is god
father to Intercounty That doesn't
explain why a man should kick his
own door down when there's a bell to
ring and servants to let him inland
out again too"
81 have wondered" said Siward,
whether the door he might be inclin-
ed to kick down Is really his own door
any longer"
81, too" said Plank simply. ut may
belong to a personal enemy-if he has
any. He could afford to have an enc
my. / suppose"
Siward nodded.
"Then hadn't you better-I beg your
pardon! You have not asked me to
advise you"
"No. ] may ask your advice some
day. Will you give it when dor
with pleasure. said Plank. so
warmly disnterested so plainly proud
and eager to do service that Siward,
surprised and touched, found no word
to utter
Plank rose. Siward attempted to
stand up, but had trouble with his
crutches
please don't try" said Plank, COM
ing over and Offering his hand. MAY
stop in again soon2 Oh. you are of
to the country for month or two? !
see You don't look very we'll. hope
it will benefit you. Awfully glad to
have seen you. II hope you won't
forget me-entirely"
II am the man people are forget
ting" returned Siward, mot you. 1t
was very nice of you to come. You
are one of very few who remember me
at ALL"
81 have very few people to remem-
ber." said Plank, land II | had as
many as l could desire l should re
member you first"
Here he became very much embar-
raised. Siward offered his hand again.
Plank shook it awkwardly and went
away on tiptoe down the stairs, which
creaked decorously under his weight.
And that ended the first interview
between Plank and Siward in the first
days of the latter's decline.
The months that passed during ST.
wards absence from the city began
to prove rather eventful for Plank.
He was finally elected a member of
the PATRONS club without serious OPP
position; he had dined twice with the
Kemp Ferralls; he and Major Bel
wether were seen together at the Cath
ness dance and In the Caithness box
at the opera. Once respectable news
paper reported him at Tuxedo for the
weeks end; his name, linked with the
clergy, frequently occupied such space
under the column headed "Ecclesias-
tica News" as was devoted to the
progress of the new chapel, and many
old ladies began to become familiar
with his name.
At the right moment the Mortimers
featured him between two fashionable
hiShoDs at n dinner. Mrs. Vendenning,