Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-03-03
CHApTERI1.6
FOuRTEEN@
(Continued.)

| And now the river swept into view,
Ma darkly luminous sheet set with re-
fected stars Mlrrored lights cleaned
in it. Sudden bright yellow flashes
| zigzagged into its somber depths. The
foliage edged 1t with II 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 shrubhery then on level.
sweeping In great circle up to the
steps of the inn.
Now all about them from the bril-
liantly lighted verandas the gay tu-
mutt broke out like an uproarious well
come after the swift silence of their
journey. The stir of jolly people keen
for pleasure, the clattcr of crockery,
the coming and going of walters, of
guests, of hansoms, coupes. victorias
and scores Of motor cars wheeling and
turning through the binding glare Of
their own headlights
Somewhere Il gypsy orchestra. full of
fitful crescendoes and throbbing sus-
pensions Of caprice, fur lshed resonant
accompaniment to the joyous claInor.
The scent of fountain spray and flow
ers was in the air
II didn't know you had telephoned
for table, said Slward as a head
waiter came up smiling and bowling to
Plank. II confess In the new excite
ment of things l clean forgot It..
What man you are to think OF other
people!"
Plank redeemed again, mutterlns
something evasive. and went forward
with Leila.
Sylvia, moving lesurely beside ST
ward, who was walking slowly but
confidently, without clutches, wits
pered to hira, II never really liked Mr.
Plank before understood his attitude
toward you"
"Hc is man, every inch" said ST
ward simply.
81 mink that generally includes what
men of your sort demand. doesn't 1t?
she asked
In Others what they themselves are
lacking In" said Siward. laughing
Sylvia. look ut this jolly crowd:
Look at all those tables! II seems ~
age since l have done anything Of this
sort I feel like II boy OF eighteen
the same funny. quicllening fascina-
ton in lne toward everything gay and
bright and alive" He looked around
at her. laughingly. LAS for you." he
said, .you look about sixteen. You
certainly are the most beautiful thing
this beautiful world ever saw
"Schoolboy courtship." she Knocked
him. lingering us he made his slow
way through the crowded place. MIR
Plank" ms they arrived and seat
ed themselves "Mr. Siward has just
admitted that ne uses crutches only
because they are ornamental. Lei
Ia, 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-Alr. Siward?' mimick-
ed Leila promptly.
II am" said Siward, laughing at
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, n
dull patch Of color came out under the
check bones.
"rhat is all / care for, either" said
Sylvia, with elaborate carelessness.
Plank and Leila Immediately began
to make conversation. Siward. his
eyes bent on the glass of mineral wa
ter at his elbow, looked up in silence
at Sylvia questioningly.
There was something in her face he
did not quite comprehend. She made
as though to speak, looked at him, hes
itated, 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 u
'Let me. 1t is the happiest thing l
have ever done for myself"
But | don't wish it,
"Ah, but dol" she said. the low, ex-
cited laughter scarcely flutterlng her
lips. Listen, never before in all my
life gave up anything for your sake
only this one little pitiful thing"
II won't let you." he breathed. 1T
Is nonsense to-
"You must let me. Am l to be on
friendly terms with-with your mortal
enemy?" 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.
81 drink to your health Stephen"
she said under
wit l..4,x i; s sss breath ;s you. !"