Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-02-28


looks sick, and Belwether says he's
going to the devil, but that's the sort
Of thing the major is likely to say. BY
the way, wasn't there something be
tween that pretty Lands girl and 81.
ward? Somebody some gossiping
somebody-talked about it somewhere
recently"
Il don't believe that, either" said
Plank in his heavy. measured, pas
sionless voice as they descended the
steps of the white portico and looked
around for cab.
las for me, I've got to hustle" OBJ
served O'Hara. glancing at his watch
''I'm due to shine at a function about
8. Are you coming uptown, either Of
you fellows? III give you a lift as
far as Seyenty-second street, Plank"
"Tell you what Wen do" said Fleet
wood impulsively, turning to Plank
"We'n drive downtown, you and l,
and We'll look up poor old Siward
Shall we? He's probably all alone in
that God forsaken red brick family
tomb. Shall we? How about 1t.
Plank"
O'Hara turned impatiently on his
heel with gesture of adieu, climbed
into his electric hanson and went
buzzing away up the avenue
I'D like to, but don't think I know
Mr.. Siward well enough to do that"
said Plank efficiently. He hesitated,
coloring up. "He might misunder.
stand my going with you-as liberty
(which perhaps 1 might not have ven
tured on had he been less-less un-
| fortunate"
| Again Fleetwood warmed toward the
ruddy, pcnderous young man beside
him. "See here" he said, "you are
| going as friend of mine ii you care
to look at it that way"
'9Thank YOU" said Plank. Il should
be very glad to go IN that way"
| The Siward house was old only in
the comparative Manhattan meaning
of the word, for in New York nothing
is really very old except the faces of
the young men.
Decades ago it had been considered
big house, and it was still SO spoken
| OLA solid, dingy, red brick structure,
cubical in proportions, surmounted by
heavy chimneys, the depth of its sunk
en- windows limiting of the thickness of
wall and foundation. Window cur
tains of obsolete pattern, all alike and
all drawn, masked the blank panes.
Three massive wistaria vines, the
gnarled stems as thick as tree trunks,
crawled upward to the roof, dividing
the facade equally and furnishing
some relief to its fairness, otherwise
unbroken except by the deep reveals
Of window and door. Two huge and
unsymmetrical catalpa trees stood sen
tinels before it, dividing curb from
asphalt, and from the centers of the
shriveled brown grass plots flanking
the stoop under the basement windows
two aged Rose of Sharon trees bristled
naked to the height of the white mar
Bile capitals of the taking pillars sup
porting the stained portico.
Nice old family mausoleum," com
mented Fleetwood, descending from
} the hanson, followed by Plank.
The door was opened by very ole
man wearing the black swallowtai
clothes and choker of an old time but
} Ter, spotless, quite immaculate, bu
cut after a fashion no young man re
members.
Good evening, Gumble," said Fleet
: wood, entering. followed on tiptoe b!
: Plank.
; Good evening. SIR" A pause and II
the unsteady voice of age: "Mr Fleet
; wood, sir. Mr. A bow and tn
dim eyes peering up at Plank. VIII
stood fumbling for his icardcase.
, Fleetwood dropped both cards on tn
salver unsteadily extended The but
: Ter ushered them into dim room o.
the right
I ''How is Mr.. Siward? p asked Fleet
wood, pausing on the threshold an
dropping his voice.
+ The old man hesitated, lookin
+ down: then still looking away froI
e Fleetwood: ''Bravely sir; bravely, MI
I Fleetwood"
I 1.-The Siwards were always that,
; said the young man gently.
s Eyes, sir. Thank you Mr.. Stephe