Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-07-24
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feFg div I have AbHs hui sSa laenths
mort Vial thIhg-atiie tHUse SACRED fai
vor ohe itai can do for ah6ther"--
He halted. staininered something I'M
coherent. his battered eyes wet with
tears. The man was d wreck-neryes,
stamina. mind on the very verge OF
collapse.
'Fll help you. Of course" said Plank.
eying him. Go home now and sleep.
tell you I'll help you in the morning
Don't give way. Have you no grit?
Pull up sharp. tell yeu"
But Mortimer had fallen into chair
his ravaged face Graded in his hands.
He began to rimbie and even to laugh
weakly, passing his puffy. shaking
hands across his eyes.
"Its good of ycu, Beverly. ! ap-
preciate 1t. But I've been good to
YOU. You're all to the good. my boy!
Understand! ri to the good. fixed
1t. ! did 1t for you. You can have
your innings now. You can have her
when you want her. tell you"
"What do you mean?" said Plank
menacingly.
"Niean, mean what | told you
that day at Black Fells when we were
riding tcld you you had chance TO
win out. Now the chance has come
same's I told you Start in. and by the
time you're ready to say 'Whenr she'll
be there with the bottle"
81 don't think you are perfectly
sane yet" said Plank slowly.
T.et 1t 60 at that, them staggered
Mortimer. struggling to his feet
bring Leila back. I'm all In. I'm 60
ing home You'll be around In the
morning. Won't your
"Yes.' said Plank. Have you got
a cabY'
Mortimer had one. The glass and
iron doors changed behind him, and
Plank, waiting a moment, sighed,
raised his head and. encountering the
curious gaze of servant, trudged OIL
upstairs again.
The game had ended at both tables.
Quarter and Agatha stood by the win
dow together, conversing in low voices.
Belwether, at desk, sat muttering
and fussing with check book. The
others were in Sylvia's apartments.
A few moments later Kemp Ferrall
arrived in the best of spirits. very
much inclined to consider the night as
still young, but his enthusiasm met
with ne response, and presently he de-
parted with his wife and Marion In
their big car.
Leila, in her wraps, emerged In
few moments. looking at Plank out OF
serious eyes, and they made their brief
adieus and went away in Plank's
brougham.
When Agatha's maid arrived Quar-
rier also started to take his leave. but
Sylvia, seated at a card table, idly
arranging the cards In geometrical de-
signs and fanciful arabesques, looked
up at him. saying:
81 wanted to say something to you,
Howard"
Agatha passed them, going into Syi-
Was room for her wraps, and Quar-
rier turned to Sylvia.
"Wel?" he said, with the slightest
hint of impotence.
"Can't you stay minute" asked
Sylvia surprised.
agatha is going In the motor with
me. Is it anything lmportant?'
She considered him without replying
she had never before detected that
manner. that hardness In a voice al
ways so even in quality
"What Is it?" he repeated.
She thought moment. putting aside
for the time his manner. which she
coEld not comprehend. Then
81 wanted to ask you a question:
rather ignorant one perhaps. It's about
your Amalgamated Electric company.
May ask it, HowardT'
After a seconds stare. Certainly"
he said.
ats only this. IL the other People
the Intercounty. mean-are slowly
running Amalgamated. why don't you
stop III"
Quarters eyes narrowed. "Oh! And
who have you been discussing the mat
ter with?'
"AIr. Plank" she said simply. Il
asked him. He shook his head and
said I'd better ask you. And do
ask you."
For moment he stood mute. Then
his lips began to shrink back over his
beautiful teeth in one Of his rare
laughs.
OH be very glad to explain 1t some
day." be said but there was no mirth
"a his voice or eyes. only the smoker
ing lip wrinkling the pallor.
"Wil you not answer now" she
asked
mo. not now. But desire you to
understand it some day-solne day he-
fore November. And one or two either
matters that it is necessary for you to
understand want to explain them.
Sylvia, in such Il manner that you VIII
never be likely to forget them And
mean to. For they are never out OF
my mind, and | wish them to be- as in.
effaceably impressed OIL yours. Good
night"
He took her limp hand almost brisk
", released 1t and stepped down the
stairs as Agatha entered, cloaked, to
say good night.
They kissed at parting-"life en-
bracing dealt" as Mortimer had
sneered ON similar occasion. Then
Sylvia. alone. stood In her bedroom.