Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-09-11

And now the river swept INTO view,
a darkly luminous sheet set with re-
Elected stars. Mirrored lights cleaned
In it. Sudden bright yellow flashes
zigzagged into its somber depths. The
foliage edged it with deeper gloom,
over which, on the heights, twinkled
the multicolored lights OF Riverside
inn.
Up the broad, gentle grade they sped,
curving in and out among the clumps
of trees and shrubbery, then on level,
sweeping in great circle up to the
steps of the inn.
Now all about them from the bril-
llantly lighted verandas the gay tu-
multi broke out like an uproarious well
come after the swift silence Of their
journey. The stir of jolly people keen
for pleasure, the clatter of crockery,
the coming and going of walters, OF
guests, of hansOms, coupes, vlctorlas
and scores Of motor cars wheeling ana
turning through the binding glare OF
their own headlights.
Somewhere gypsy orchestra, full of
ftful crescendoes and thrObbing sus-
pensions of caprice, furnished resonant
accompaniment to the joyous clamor.
The scent of fountain spray and fow-
ers was in the air.
81 didn't know you had telephoned
for table," said Siward as a head
waiter came up smiling and bowling to
Plank. 81 confess in the new excite
ment of things / clean forgot 1t.
What a man you are to think of other
people"
Plank redeemed again, mutterng
something evasive, and went forward
with Leila.
Sylvia, moving leisurely beside 81
ward, who was walking slowly, but
confidently, without clutches, whis-
pered to him, 81 never really liked Mr..
Plank before l understood his attitude
toward you"
"He is a man, every inch" said ST.
ward simply.
81 mink that generally includes what
men Of your sort demand, doesn't it?'
she asked.
Men of my sort sometimes demand
in others what they themselves are
lacking in," said Siward, laughing.
Sylvia, look at this jolly crowd!
Look at all those tables! 1t seems an
age since have done anything of this
sort. feel like a boy of eighteen
the same funny. quickening fascina-
ton in NE toward everything gay and
bright and alivew He looked around
at her, laughingly. GAS for you." he
said, ''you look about sixteen. You
certainly are the most beautiful thing
this beautiful world ever saw"
"Schoolboy courtshipy' she Knocked
him, lingering as he made his slow
way through the crowded place. "Mr.
Plank" as they arrived and seat
ed themselves, "Mr. Siward has just
admitted that he uses clutches only
because they are ornamental. Lei
la. isn't this air delicious? All sorts
Of people, too, aren't there, Mr.. Plank!
Such curious looking women, some OF
them-quite pretty, too, In a certain
way. Are you hungry, St-Mr. 81.
ward"
"Are you, St-Mr. Slward?" mimick-
ed Leila promptly.
81 am" said Siward, laughing al
Sylvia's significant color and noting
Plank's direct gaze as the waiter filled
Leilas slender stemmed glass. And
nothing but apollinaris," he said cool
ly as the waiter approached him. But,
though his voice was easy enough, a
dull patch of color cane out under the
cheek bones.
"That is all l care for, either" said
Sylvia, with elaborate carelessness.
Plank and Leila Immediately began
to make conversation. Siward, hif
eyes bent on the glass of mineral wa
ter at his elbow, looked up in silence
Mt Sylvia questioningly.
There was something in her face he
did not quite comprehend. She made
as though to speak, looked at him, hes
ttated, her lovely face eloquent under
the impulse. Then, leaning toward
him, she said:
"'And thy ways shall be my ways"
"Sylvia, you must not deny yourself
Just because p
"Let me. 1t is the happiest thing !
have ever done for myself"
"But I don't wish it."
"Ah, but 1 dol" she said, the low, ex-
cited laughter scarcely fiuttering her
lips. listen, never before in all my
life gave up anything for your sake
only this one littlespitiful thing"
81 won't let your he breathed. 1T
Is nonsense to-
"You must let me! Am l to be on
friendly terms with-with your mortal
enemyY" She was still smiling, but
now her sensitive mouth quivered sud.
denly.
He sat silent, considering her, his
restless fingers playing with his glass
In which the harmless bubbles were
breaking.
~ drink to your health, Stephen"
she said under
Mx,AS, her breath. 81
NlHffl M,Nn drink to your
f-AAlfTFf' happiness, too,
Tf;kiSEA and-and to your
W NM| fortune and to
7Mh WI all that you de.
~&JSS.IIN sire from for
r~EAWXZ NJ tnnpn And she