Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-16
perhaps fr,

s., relevant sugges-
~ ton concerning
~ NJ. the training Of
field dogs. The
sTulk to me, Mr.. ST. conversation
,cdrd veered again to-
ward the mystery Of heredity.
"Do you mean, Mr.. Slward, that
heredity is an excuse for moral weak
ness :" she asked.
II don't know. Those inheriting
nothing Of evil say 1t II no excuse"
1T Is no excuse"
"You speak with authority" ne said.
"With more than you are aware Of"
che murmured, not meaning to say 1t.
She stood up impulsively, her fresh
face turned to the distant house, her
rounded young figure poised in relief
against the sky.
Inherited Or not, idleness, procras-
tination, are my besetting sins. Cam
you suggest the remedy. Mr.. Siward|
"But they are only the thieves Of
Time, and We kill the poor old gentle
man."
"Leagued assassins,'' she repeated
pensively.
Her gown had caught on the cliff
briers. He knelt to release 1t, she
looking down. noting an ugly tear In
the fabric.
Payment for my inlquities-the first
installment," she said, still looking
down over his shoulder and watching
his efforts to release her. THANK you,
Mr.. Siward. l think We ought to
start, don't you7" !.
He Strengthened up, smiling, await
ing her further pleasure. Her pleasure
being capricious, she seated herself
again, saying: what meant to say
was this: Evils that spring from he
redity are no excuse for misconduct In
people OF our sort. Environment, not
heredity, counts. And It's our busi-
ness, who have every chance In the
world, to make good"
He looked down, amused at tho
piquant incongruity Of voice and YER
nacular.
what time il it7' she asked irrele-
vanity.
He glanced at his watch. She turn
ed her eyes toward the level SUM-, con-
scious and little conscience stricken
that 1t was too late for her to drive to
Black Fells Crossing unless she start
ed ut once.
1t grew stiller. The wind went down
with the sun.
Doubtless he had forgotten to tell
her the time. She had almost forgot
ten that she had asked him. With the
silence Of sunset languor, the indo-
lence Of content, crept over her. She
saw him close his watch with the alb
sentminded air which she already as
ISOLATED with him, and she let the
question 60 from sheer disinclination
for the effort of repetition-let the pro-
jected drive go-acquiescent, content
that matters shape themselves without
any interference from her. The sense
Of ease, of physical well being, invaded
her with an agreeable relaxation as
though tension somewhere had slack
ened.
The conversation drifted illogically.
Sometimes he stirred her to amuse-
ment, even hushed laughter. Some
times she smilingly agreed with his
views. Sometimes she let them go
uncriticised or, intent on her own
ideas, shook her small head in amused
disapproval.
The stiffness over all, the deepening
mellow light, the blessed Incidence OF
the young world and their few years
In it-youth-that was perhaps the key
to 1t all, after all.
Tomorrow" she unused aloud, knees
Graded In her clasped fingers "tomor-
row they'll shoot, with great circum-
stance and fuss, d few native wood
cock--there's no fight yet from the
north-a few grouse, fewer snipe, a
stray duck or two. Others will drive
motor cars over bad roads. Others
viii ride, sail, golf-anything to kill
the eternal enemy. You know the ma
jority OF the people here or coming,
don't you" s.
"Who are theyT
She began, 1.-THE Leroy Mortimers"
"Oh, yes"
Lord Alderdene and Captain Vouch-
er and the Page twins and MarionY
Eyes"
"Rena Bonnesdel, the Tassel girl,
Agatha Caithness, Mrs. vendenning-
all sorts, all sets.' And, with an eff
fort, "If I'm to drive I should like to-
to know what time 1t is"
He informed her, and she, too indo-
lent to pretend surprise and finding
reproach easier. told him that he had
no business to permit her to forget.
His smiling serenity under the re.
buke aroused in her slight resent
ment as though he had taken some
thing for granted.
Besides, she had grown uneasy. She
had wired Quarter, saying she would
meet him and drive him over. He had
replied ut once. naming his train. He
was an exact man and expected
method and precision in others. She
didn't ex.cty-kat.W hey. it might a1.