Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-06-19


ton.
"Another thing" continued Mortimer
thickly, "the Kemp Ferralls are dis
posed to be decent. don't mean In
asking you to meet some intellectual
second raters, but In doing 1t hand
somely."
81 want to say" began Plank, speak
ing the more slowly because he was
deeply In earnest, "that all this you
are doing for me is very handsome OF
you. Mortimer. Id like to say, to con.
yey to you something Of how ! feel
about the way you and Mrs. Mort-
mer'-
ooh. Leila has done 1t all."
"AIrs. Mortimer is very kind, and
you have been so too. IL wish there
was something, some way Toto
ITO whatY asked Mortimer so blunt
" that Plank flushed up and stam-
mered:
ITO be-to do a--to show my graft
tude."
How? You're scarcely in position
to do anything for u.s." said Mortimer,
brutally staring him out OF counte-
nance.
az know It." said Plank, the painful
flush deepening.
Mortimer fussing and growing over
his cigar, was nevertheless steaithily
intent on the game which had so long
absorbed him. His wits, clogged, dull
ed by excuses, were now aroused to
sort of gross activity through the men,
ace of necessity. At last Plank had
given him an opening He recognized
his chance.
There's one thing" he said deliber-
ately, that | won't stand for, ana
that's any vulgar mlSconception on
your part of my friendship for you.
| Do you follow meF"
al don't misunderstood it," protested
Plank, angry and astonished. u
DON'T
"As though" continued Mortimer
menacingy, 81 were one OF those
needy social tipsters, one of those shab-
by, pandering touts who
"For heavens sake, Mortimer, don't
talk like that had no Intention
zone of those contemplate, para
site leeches," persisted Mortimer, get
ting redder and hoarser, who live on
men like you. ConfOund you, Plank,
what the devil do you mean by it?'
Mortimer, are you crazy to talk to
me like that?"
"No, I'm not, but you must be! i've
a mind to drop the whole cursed busi-
ness I've every inclination to drop IL!
| If you haven't horse sense enough-ir
| YOU haven't innate delicacy SUFFICIENT
| to keep you from making such
break
81 didn't. 1t wasn't break, Morti-
mer. wouldn't have hurt YOU
"You did hurt mel How can feel
the same again?. | never imagined you
thought was that sort of social
mercenary. Why, SO little did dream
that you looked on our friendship III
that light that | was-on my word or
honor-I was just now on the point OF
asking you for $4,000 or $4,000 to carry
me to the months end and square my
bridge balance"
"Mortimer, you must take 1t! You
are fool to think | meant anything
by saying l wanted to show my graft
tude. Look here; be decent and fair
with me. wouldn't offer you an af-
front-would I-even If were cad?
wouldn't do it now just when you're
getting things into shape for Inc. I'm
not fool anyway. This Is In deadly
earnest, | tell you, Mortimer, and I'm
getting angry about it. You've got to
show your confidence in me. You've
got to take what you want from me as
you would from any friend"
There was a pause. A curious and
unaccustomed sensation had silenced
Mortimer, something almost akin to
shame. 1t astonished him little. He
did not quite understand why in the
very moment of success over this
stolid shrewd young man and his
thrifty Dutch instincts he should feel
uncomfortable. Were not his services
worth something? Had he not earned
at least the right to borrow from this
rich man who could afford to pay for
what was done for him? Why should
he feel ashamed? He had not been
treacherous he really liked the fellow.
Why shouldn't he take his money?
"See here. old man." said Plank. ex-
tending a huge highly colored hand.
"is all square between us now?"
~ think So" muttered Mortimer.
But Plank would not re!inquish Ills
hand
Then tell me how to draw that
check. Great heaven. Mortimer. what
is friendship. anyhow. If 1t doesn't ili-
clude little matters like this-little mis-
understandings like this? I'm the man
to be sensitive, not you. You have
been very good to me. Mortimer
could almost wish you in a position
where the only thing possess might
square something Of my debt to YOU"
A few minutes later while he was
filling in the check dusty youth IN
riding clothes and spurs came In and
found a seat by one Of the windows,
into which he dropped, and then looked
about him for servant.
"Hello, Fleetwood" said Mortimer,
glancing over his shoulder to see
whose spurs were ringing on the pol
ished floor.
Fleetwood saluted amiably with his
riding crop. including Plank, whom
he did not know, in more formal So
lutp