The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-11-27
The Fighting
NH By
Chance. E ESsEST Y.
Copyright isA D. the Carts ubiaAias
b Robert " caanabera


rufleu aud very sweet profile II ;
young gin Composure was one Of th'
masks she lad learned TO wear whet
she chose
Miss Laudis," he said
''Mr. Sivard?" very gently. II was
her way 60 gentle when generous.
Il think be said, that you are be
ginning TO remember where you may
have heard my name"
Eyes, a little" She looked at him
with the direct gaze of child but the
lovely eyes were troubled. His smile
was not very genuine. but he met her
gaze steadily enough.
''It was rather nice of Mrs. Ferrall
to ask me" he said "after the mess
made of things last spring"
"Grace Ferrall is dear" she re
piled.
After a moment he ventured 81 sup
pose you saw it in the papers.
81 think 50. 1 had completely forgot
ten it. Your name seemed to-
II see" Then listlessly, II couldn't
have ventured to remind you that
that perhaps you might not care to be
30 amiable'
'Mr. Siward," she said impulsively,
"you are nice to me! Why Shouldn't
/ be amiable? 1t vast was-I've
forgotten just how dreadfully you did
behave"
pretty badly"
'Very"
'They say So"
"And what is your opinion, Mr. ST.
wardY'
ooh, ought to have known better"
Something about him reminded her Of
bad small boy, and suddenly, in spite
of her better sense, in spite of her in
stinctive caution, she found herself on
the very verge Of laughter. What was
1t in the man that disarmed and invited
confidence scarcely justified, it APP
peared? What was 1t now that novel
her to overlook what few overlook, not
the fault, but its publicity? Was it his
agreeable bearing, his pleasant badi-
mage, his amiably listless moments of
preoccupation. his youth, that appealed
to her. aroused her charity, her gener-
osity her curiosity?
And had other people continued to
accept him too? What would Quarter
think of his presence at Shotover?
She began to realize that she was
little afraid of Quarters opinions.
and his opinions were always judg-
ments. However Grace Ferrall hal
thought 1t proper to ask him, and that
meant social absolution. As far as
that went, she also was perfectly readg
to absolve him If he needed it.
II was wondering" he said, looking
up to encounter her clear eyes, whose
house that is over there"
Beverly Plank's shooting box. Black
Fells," she replied, nodding toward the
vast pile of blackish rocks against the
sky. upon which sprawled a helvy
stone house infested with chimneys.
"Plank? Oh, yes"
He smiled to remember the batter
ing blows rained upon the ramparts
of society by the master Of Black
Fells.
But the smile faded, and, glancing
at him, the girl was surprised to see
the subtle change In his face-the
white, worn look, then the listless apa-
thy, which all at once to her limited
Of something graver than preoccupa-
lion
els that Shotover HouseT he asked
rs they came to the crest of the hillock
them and the sea.
Eat last, Mr. Siward," she said mock
ngly, "and now your troubles are
nearly ended"
"And yours, Miss Lands"
81 don't know" she murmured to her.
'elf, thinking of the telegram with
he faintest misgiving.
Theory had almost decided her to
answer Mr.. Quarters suggestion with
yes" However, he was coming
rom the lakes In day or two. She ]
would decide definitely when she had !
discussed the matter with him.
II wish that l owned this dog" OBJ Q
erved Siward as the phaeton entered
be macadamized drive.
II wish So too" she said, "but he
elongs to Mr.. Quarter"