Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-03-27

rutled and very sweet profile OF 0
young girl. Composure was one Of the
masks she had learned to wear when
she chose.
miss Landis," he said.
"AIr. Siward" very gently. 1t was
her way TO be gentle when generous.
~ think" he said, shat 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.
at was rather nice Of Mrs. Ferrall
to ask me-" he said, ''after the mess l
made of things last spring"
"Grace Ferrall-4s DEAR" she re-
piled.
After moment he ventured, 81 sup
pose you saw 1t In the papers"
81 think so. had completely forgot
ten 1t. Your name seemed to-
81 see." Then listlessly, II couldn't
have ventured to remind you that
that perhaps you might not care to be
so amiable"-
"Mr. Siward," she said impulsively,
"you are nice to me! Why shouldn't
I be anliable? 1t was-it waS-Pve
forgotten just how dreadfully you did
behave"
"Pretty badly"
Every"
"They say So"
"And what Is your opinion, Mr. ST.
ward"
"Oh, 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
stinctlve caution, she found herself on
the very verge of laughter What was
Il In the man that diSarmed and invited
confidence scarcely justified, 1t ap-
peared? What was 1t now that moved
her to overlook what few overlook, not
the fault, but its publicity? Was 1t 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 a
little afraid of Quarters opinions.
and his opinions were always judg-
ments. However, Grace Ferrall had
thought It proper to ask him, and that
meant social dissolution. AS far as
that went, she also was perfectly ready
to absolve him If he needed it.
"I 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 heavy
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, glancinS
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.
ton.
"Is that Shotover House" he asked
rs they came to the crest of the hillocR
between them and the sea.
"At last, Mr.. Siward," she said mock
ingly. "and now your troubles are
nearly ended"
"And yours, Miss Lands"
81 don't know" she murmured to her.
self. thinking Of the telegram with
the faintest misgiving.
Theory had almost decided her TO
answer Mr. Quarters suggestion with
"Yes." However, he was coming
from the lakes in a day or two. Shs
would decide definitely when she had
discussed the matter with him.
'.T wish that I owned this dog" oh
served Siward as the phaeton entered
the macadamized drive.
81 wish so, too" she said, "but ne
belongs to Mr.. Quarter"
TT. fro he CONTINUED