Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-06-05

Lord AldeTdGne
SThere is nothing to tell" he said
in a tone SO utterly new to her In its
finality that she sat up as though u.s.
tening to an unknown voice.
Tone and words so completely ex-
cluded her from the new intimacy into
which she had imperceptibly drifted
that both suddenly developed sig
nificance from sheer contrast. Who
was the girl. then, Of whom he had
absolutely nothing to sayf What was
she to him? What could she be IL
| him-an actress, n woman or COM
mon antecedents? She felt little irri-
tated, little humliated a little hurt
and took refuge In silence that he
did not offer to break.
Early twilight had fallen in the
room. The freight grew redder.
Sylvia" he said abruptly. reverting
to the old, light tone limiting of the
laughter in his eyes which she could
10 longer see, suppose. as you sug,
gested, did ambush you-say after
the opera-seize you under the very
nose of your escort and make madly
for hansOmF
81 know of no other way" she said
demurely.
"Would you resist physically|
eyes. would II were going to
surrender ut once might Us we'll go
off to church with you now"
"Wenniston church," he said prompt
ly. 'T'll order the motor"
She laughed, lazily settling herself
more snugly by the fire. Suppose 1t
were our fre?" she smiled. There
would be IL dog lying across that rug.
and a comfortable Angora tabby doz-
Ing by the fender, and-you. cross
legged. at my feet, with that fascinat-
Ing head Of yours tipped back against
my knees"
The laughter In her voice died out.
and he had risen, saying unsteadily
Don't! IL cant stand that sort OF
thing. you know.
She had made q mistake too. She
also had suddenly become aware OF bel
Uwn limits in the same direction
Forgive me, dear! meant no
,nockery."
81 know. After awhile man finds
aughter difficult"
81 was not laughing at-anything. ]
was only pretending to be happy"
"Your happiness is before you." ne
said sullenly.
"My future, you mean. You know |
am exchanging one for the other. And
some day you will awake to the In
fanny of 1t. You will comprehend the
depravity Of the monstrous trade !
made. And then - and then" - she
passed one slim hand oyer her race
sthen you will shake yourself free
from this dream of me; then. awake.
nv punishment at your hands will be-
gin. Dear no man in his right senses
can continue to love girl such as
am"
After q long silence, "DO you think
before the year is out that you might
be granted enough courage?' he asked.
"No. l shall not even pray for 1t. |
want what is offered me. He might
have stopped me. He did not. Ana
now what Is there on earth TO matt
me? Love cannot. Common decency
and courage cannot. Fear OF yo'lr I'M
happiness and mine cannot. No. even
the gertrude of your contempt some
day is powerless to halt me now.
could not love-I am utterly Incapable
of loving-you enough to balance the
sacrifice. And that is final.'
Grace Ferrall came into the room
and found duel of silence In prog
ress under the dull fire glow tinting
the ceiling.
another quarrel" she commented.
turning on the current of the drop
light above the desk from which 81
ward had risen at her entrance. "You
quarrel enough to marry. Why don't
your
II wish we could" said Sylvia sim
ply.
Grace laughed. "What little fool
you arer' she said tenderly. seating
berself In Siward's chair and dropping
one hand over his where 1t rested on
the arm. stephen, can't you make
ler-a big, strong fellow like you? Oh,
well; on your heads be 1t! My con-
fclence Is now clear for the first time,
and I'll never NEEDLE again" She
gave Slward's hand perfunctory pat
and released him with a dlscreetly sti-
He'd yawn. I'm disgracefully sleepy.
The wind blew like fury along the
coast. Sylvia, have you had a good
lime at Shotover-the time OF your
lifeT"
Sylvia raised her eyes and encoun-
,ered Slward's.
~ certainly have" she said family.
The dinner was very gay. The cere-
mony Of christening the Shotoyer cup.
which Quarter had won. proceeded
with presentation speech and speech
Of acceptance faultlessly common
place, during which Quarter wore his
smile-which was the only humorous
thing he contributed
fro BE CONTINUED