Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-09-04

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did credit to Quarters innate thought
fulness and consideration for others.
He was very considerable. He even
called Agatha up on the telephone and
talked with her for ten minutes. Then
he telephoned to Plank's office, learned
that Harrington was already there,
telephoned the garage for a car which
he always kept ready in town and
presently went bowling away to a con-
ference on which the last few hours
had put an entirely new aspect.
1t had taken Plank only a few min
utes to perceive that something had oc-
Cured to change point of view which
he had believed 1t impossible for Quar-
rier to change. Something had gone
wrong in his own careful calculations
some cog had slipped, some rivet CIV
en- way, some bed plate cracked. And
Harrington evidently had not been
aware Of 1t, but Quarter knew it.
There was something wrong.
1t was too late now to 60 tinkerlng
IN the dark for trouble. Plank under.
stood that Coolly, as though utterly
unaware that the machinery might not
stand the strain, he started 1t full
speed. And when he stopped 1t at last
Harrington's grist had been ground to
atoms and Quarter had looked on
without comment. There seemed to be
little more for them to do except to
pay the miller.
Tomorrow" said Quarter, rising
to 60. 1t was on the edge Of Plank's
lips to say To-day" but he was silent,
knowing that Harrington would speak
for him. And the old man did, with
out words, turning his iron visage on
Quarter with the silent dignity of
despair. But Quarter coldly demand
ed a day before they reckoned with
Plank. And Plank, profoundly dis.
turbed, shrugged his massive shoulders
in contemptuous assent.
So Quarter and Harrington went
away, the younger partner taking
leave of the older with a sheer for an
outworn prop which no man could
ever again have use for. Old and
beaten, that was all Harrington now
stood for in Quarters eyes. The least
of his victims might now finish him
with a club where he swayed In his
loosened saddle or leave him to that
horseman on the pale horse watching
him yonder on the horizon.
For now, whether Harrington lived
or died, he must be counted as nothing
in this new struggle darby outlining
its initial strategy In Quarters brain.
What was coming was coming be-
tween himself and Plank alone. The
result must be attained swiftly, with
secrecy and with the aid of no man.
For he did not count Mortimer a man.
At the door Of Major Belwethers
house SylYia's maid received Quarter
saying that her mistress was
not at home, but that Mrs. Mortimer
was-which saved Quarter the neces-
sity of asking for private conference
with Leila, which was exactly what
he had come for. But her first I'M
guarded words on receiving him as he
rose at her entrance into the darkened
drawing room changed that plan, too
changed it all so utterly and so much
for the better that he almost smiled to
think Of the crudity Of human combi-
nations and inventions as compared to
he mastery Vaccinations of fate.
Leila said, laughingly: ooh, you are
100 late, Howard. We are dining with
Mr.. Plank at Riverside inn. What in
he world are you doing in town so
"a business telegram. I might have
come down with you and Sylvia If I
lad known. Is Plank dining with you
llOne?"
Il haven't seen him." smiled Leila
,vasively. "He will tell us his plans
# course when he comes"
"Ohw said Quarter. dropping his
yes and glancing furtively toward the
windows. At the instant a
lansom drove up. Sylvia sprang out,
an lightly up the low steps. and the
ilent, shrouded house rang with the
,lamor of the bell.
Leila looked curiously at Quarter,
who sat motionless, head partly avert.
ID, as though listening to something
heard by him alone. He believed per-
laps that he was listening to the voice
If fate again, and it may have been
70, for already for the third time all
lis plans were changing to suit this
new ally of his-this miraculous fate
which was shaping matters for him
Is he waited. Sylvia had started up
stairs like a fragrant whirlwind, but
her flying feet halted at Leila's con.
strained voice from the dra wing room,
and she spun around and came into
the darkened room like an April breeze.
Leila! They'll be here at quarter
70 ~ so
Her breath seemed to leave her body
Is a shadowy figure rose In the I'm.
certain light and confronted her.
"You"
He said. Didn't you recognize the
ar outside"
She had not even seen it, so excited.
10 deeply engaged had she been with
he riotous tumult of her own thoughts.
And still her hurt, unbelieving gaze
videned to dismay as she stood there
lalted on the threshold, and still his
yes, narrowing, held her under their
inspection.
when Gid you come? Why?" she
sked In an altered voice.
II came on business. Naturally, be-
ng here, I came to see you. I under
tand you are dining out?"
/;