The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-02-19

Plank, master OF BmcK Terrs, -UrgHn 10
pervade the house after a tentative ap-
pearance, and he and Major Belwether
pottered about the coverts, usually aft
er luncheon, the latter doing little dam
age with his fowling piece and nobody
knew how much with his gossiping
tongue. Quarter appeared in the field
methodically, shot with judgment, TAX
ing no chances for brilliant perform
ance which might endanger his re-
spectacle average. AS for the Page
boys, they kept the river ducks stir
ring whenever Eileen Shannon AMI
Rena Bonnesdel could be persuaded
to share the canoes with them. Other
wise they haunted the vicinity of those
bored maidens, suffering snubs sor-
rowfully, but persistently faithful.
They were a great nuisance In the
evening, especially as their sister did
not permit them to lose more than
$40 day at cards.
Cards-that is, bridge and preference
ruled, as usual, and the latter game,
being faster, suited Mortimer and Fer
rail-, but did not aid Siward toward re-
coupling his bridge losses.
Two matters occupied him. Since
cup day he had never had another OPP
portunity to see Sylvia Lands alone;
that was the first matter. He had
touched neither wine nor spirits nor
malt since the night Ferrall had found
him prone, sprawling in a stupor on his
disordered bed-that was the second
matter, and it occupied him, at times
required all his attention, particularly
when the physical desire for it set in
steadily, mercilessly, mounting mex
orably like a tide. But, like the tide,
it ebbed at last, particularly when a
sleepless night had exhausted him.
He had gone back to his shooting
again after a cool review of the ethics
involved. 1t even amused him to
think that a girl who had cleverness
enough to marry many millions, with
Quarter thrown in, could have so
moved him to sentimentality. He had
coded the big cup of antique silver to
Quarter. too. a matter which troubled
him little, however, as in the irrita-
ton of the reaction he had been shoot
ing with the briliancy of demon, and
the gunroom books were open to any
doubling guests inspection.
Time, therefore. was never heavy on
his hands save when the tide threat
ened-when at night he stirred and
awole. conscious of its crawling adj
vance. aware of its steady mounting
menace; moments at table when the
aroma of wine made him catch his
breath; moments i'm the gunroom redo
lent Of spicy spirits, a maddening vola-
tile fragrance clinging to the card
room too. Yes, the long days were
filed with such moments for him.
But afeld the desire faded, and even
during the day indoors he shrugged de-
sire aside. 1t was night that he dread
ed-the long hours, lying there tense,
stark eyed. sickened with desire.
As for Sylvia she and Grace Ferrall
had taken to motoring, driving away
into the interior or taking long flights
north and south along the coast. Some
times they took Quarter; sometimes.
when Mrs. Ferrall drove, they took in
ballast in the shape of a superfuous
Page boy and girl for him. Once
Grace Ferrall asked Siward to join
them; but. no definite time being set
he was scarcely surprised to find them
gone when he returned from u morn
ing on the snipe meadows. And Syl-
via, leagues away 10y that time. curle
up in the tonneau beside Grace FC
rail-, watched the dark pines flying
past, cheeks pink. eyes like stars.
while the rushing wind drove health
into her AMI care out of her, cleansing.
purifying. overwhelming winds flowing
through and through her till her very
sOui within her seemed shining through
me beauty of her eyes. Besides, she
had just confessed.
HE kissed your repeated Grace Fer
rail- incredulously.
Yes; a number of times. He was
silly enough to do it, and let him"
81 don't know what he said. l was
all nerves, confused, scared-a perfect
stick, In fact don't believe he'd care
to try again"
Then Mrs Ferrall deliberately set
tied down in her furs to extract from
the girl beside her every essential de-
tail, and the girl, frank at first, grew
shy and silent-reticent enough to wor-
ry her friend into a silence which last
ed a long while for a cheerful little
matron of her sort
Presently they spoke of other mat
ters-matters interesting to pretty wo
men with muth to do in the c ng
winter between New York, Hot Springs
and Florida-surmises as to dinners,
dances and the newcomers in the
younger sets, and the marriages to he
arranged or disarranged, and the scan
dals humanity is heir to, and the atti-
tude Of the bishop toward divorce.
Then at last as the big motor car
swung in a circle at Wenniston Cross
roads and poked its brass and lacquer
muzzle toward ShOtover the talk