Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-08-28


dent as we please"
"No, we can't. Agatha's at the Santa
Regina. She came down with u.s."
"But we are not going to dine. at the
Santa Regina. We're going where
Agatha wouldn't intrude her colorless
nose-to a thoroughly questionable
and selectly common resort overlook
ing the classic Harlem, and we're go
ing to whiz thither in Plank's car and
remain thither until you yawn for mer-
cy, whence we will return thence
stephen, you silly I'm perfectly
mad to go with your Then with sud-
den self reproach and quick solicltude:
Gam l making you walk too far?
Wouldn't you like to go In now?"
"No, I'm not tired. I'm millions Of
years younger, and Pm as strong as
the nine gods Of your friend Porsena.
Besides, haven't waited for thls?"
And under his breath fiercely. Haven't
waitedr' he repeated, turning on her.
"Do-do you mean that as re-
proach?" she asked, lowering her eyes.
"No. knew you would not come on
the first sunny day."
"Why did you think I would not
come? Did you know me for the cow
ard / ann"
81 did not think you would come"
he repeated, hating to rest on his
clutches. He stood, balanced, staring
dreamily into the dim perspective, and
again her fascinated eyes ventured to
rest on the worn white face, listless,
somber in its fixedness.
4 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 as he turned quiet
~. "Child, you must not confuse mat
tiers. You must not think Of being sor-
ry 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 Igrow into some
thing o. what you think you remem-
Der In me and when grow out Of
what really was"
Truly / don't understand, Stephen.
But then-I am out of training since
you went-went out of things. Have
changed? Do seem more dull? I
1t has not been very gay with me.
I don't see-looking back across all the
noise, all the chaos of the winter-I do
not see how l stood it alone"
"AloneW
"N-not seeing you-sometimes."
He looked at her with smiling. skep-
teal eyes, Didn't you enjoy the win
terY'
"Do you enjoy being drugged with
champagneT
His face altered so quickly that, con-
fused, she only stared at 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 I could
"No. You have not hurt me. Be
sides, know what you mean"
After a moment. he swung forward
on his crutches, biting his lip, the
frown gathering between his temples.
They were 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 by side they went up the great.
broad stoop and entered the lobby.
"If you'll speak to Leila, I'll get
Plank OH the wire. Say that Wen
stop for you at T."
She gave her number; then, at the
nod of the operator, entered a small
booth. Siward was given another
booth in few moments.
Plank answered from his office. His
voice sounded grave and tired. but 1t
quickened, tinged with surprise, when
Siward made known his plan for the
evening.
as Mrs. Mortimer in town." he de-
manded. II had wire from her that
she expected to be here. and hoped
to see her at the station tomorrow on
her way to Lenox."
"She's stopping with Miss Lands.
Can't you manage to Gomez asked 81
ward anxiously.
II don't know. Do you wish it par
ticularly?. have just seen Quarter
and Harrington. can't quite under
stand Quarters attitude. There's
certain hint Of defiance about it.
Harrington is all cayed In He Is
ready to thank us for any mercies.
But Quarrier-theres something don't
fancy, don't exactly undersS,sd about
his attitude That's why I've c2H~t
ed to spend quiet evening. SIX
up the matter and examining
loophole."
you've got to dine somelS aer
said Siward. IF you could-fy il
dine with US But won't urge yoR
9TH go. Will you say that we
stop. for them at II
II don't want to urge you." repeated
Siward.
You're not I'll go. But-wait one
moment-tell me. did Quarter know
that Mrs. Mortimer was to stop with
Miss LandisY
WYATT 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. "a