Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-07-29

the first sunny day.
why did you think l would not
Gomez Did you know me for the cow
ard / ann"
II did not think you would come"
he repeated, hating to rest ON his
crutches. lie stood balanced, staring
dreamily into the dim perspective, and
again her fascinated eyes ventured to
rest on the worn white face, listless,
somber I'm its fixedness.
The tears were very near her eyes;
the spasm In her throat checked
speech. At length he'stammered, II
did not come b-because l simply
couldn't stand IL"
His face cleared as he turned quiet
ly. Child. you must not confuse mat
tiers. You must not think of being sor-
~ for me. The old order is passing
ticking away on every clock In the
world. All that inv@ekd order Of
things is being reversed. You don't
know what mean, do you? All, well,
you will know when I grow into some
thing OF what you think you remem-
Der In me and when grow out Of
what / really was"
Truly l don't understand, Stephen.
But then-I am out Of training since
you went-went out OF things. Have
l changed? Do l seem more dullf /
1t has not been very gay with me.
don't see-looklng back across all the
noise. all the chaos of the winter-I do
not see how l stood 1t alone"
"Alone?"
"N-not seeing you-sometimes."
He looked at her with smiling, skep-
teal eyes. Didn't you enjoy the win
teri"
do you enjoy being drugged with
champagner'
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 l did not mean that!
Dear, do you dream for one moment
that-that I could
sides. know what you mean"
After moment he swung forward
on his clutches. biting his lip, the
frown gathering between his temples
They were passing the big. old fas H.
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 on the wire. Say that Wen
stop for you at T."
She gave her number; then, at the
nod Of the operator, entered small
booth Siward was given another
booth In few moments
Plank answered from his office. His
voice sounGed grave and tired, but It
quickened, Hinged with surprise, when
Siward made known his plan for the
evening
us Mrs. Mortimer in town." he de
manded. 81 had wire from her that
she expected to be here, and hoped
10 see her at the station tomorrow on
her way to Lenox."
"She's stopping with Miss Lands.
Can't you manage to conner" asked ST.
ward anxiously.
IL don't know. Do you wish 1t par
ticularly? l have just seen Quarter
and Harrington. | can't quite under
stand Quarters attitude. There's a
certain hint OF defiance about It.
Harrington is all caved In. He Is
ready to thank us for any mercies.
fancy, don't exactly understand, about
his attitude That's why I've expect
ed to spend a quiet evening, studying
mp the matter and examining every
loophole."
you've got to dine somewhere, "
said Siward. "If you could fix 1t to
dine with us But | won't urge you"
"rll go. VIII you say that We'll
stop for them at 7?'
81 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 Landis?"
"Wait a 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
Eyes" she answered quietly, sur
prised. "Why?'
Siward nodded vaguely, closed the
door again and said to Plank:
Eyes, Quarter knows 1t. Do you
think he'll he there tonight? | 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 a
little just trife, overworked. Some
body once said that | had one nerve
In me somewhere, and Quarters prob
sbly found it. That's all"