The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-07-02


MOrtimers motor after dinner. but il
view OF the Quarter fasco neither
was In the mood for anything
do you know. Leroy" she observed
as they left the table and sauntered
back into the pale blue drawing room.
do you know that the servants
haven't been paid for three monthsY
"Oh, FOR heavens sake" be expostu-
lated, don't begin that sort OF thing
l get enough Of that at home get il
every time show my nOser'
Il only mentioned it." she said care
lessly You had an opportunity to
make Howard pay you back. What
are you going to dor
Dor
"Of course. You are going to do
something. suppose. You haven't yet
told ne how you intend to make How
ara return the money you lost through
his Juggling with your stock"
Il don't exactly know myself" ad-
mitted Mortimer. still Overflushed. Il
mean to put 1t to him squarely as a
debt of honor that he owes. asked
! him whether to invest He never
warned me not to. He is morally re-
sponsible "
She nodded
"I'll tell him so, too" clustered Nor
timer. shaking himself into an upright
posture and laying a Hudgy clinche1
fist on the table. I'm not afraid Of
him. He'll find that out too. know
enough to stagger him. Not that
mean to use It. I'm not going to have
him think that my demands on hin
for my OWL property resemble extc"-
ton. I've half a mind to shake that
money out of him in one way or an
other
He struck the table and looked at
her for further sign of approval
I'm not afraid of him." he repeated
al wish to God he were here, and I'd
tell him So"
She said coolly, Il was wishing that
too"
For awhile they sat silent, preoccu-
pied, avoiding each others direct gaze
When she rose he started, watching
her in a dazed wsy as she walked TO
the telephone.
"Shall II" she asked quietly, turning
to him, her hand on the receiver.
"Wait. W-what are you going to
do?" he stammered
"Call him up Shall IY'
A dull throb of fright pulsed through
him. I
"You say you are not afraid of him.
Leroy"
Nor he said, with an oath. Il am
not Go ahead!"
She unlocked the receiver. After
second or two her low, even voice
sounded. There came a pause. She
rested one elbow on the walnut shelf.
the receiver tight to her ear. Then:
"Mr. Quarter, please. Yes, Mr..
Howard Quarter. No, no name. Say
It is on business of immediate impor-
lance. Very well, then; you may say
that Miss Vyse insists on speaking to
him. Yes, I'll hold the wire
She turned. the receiver at her ear.
and looked narrowly at Mortimer.
won't he speak to your he de-
manded.
"Tm going to find out Hush mo-
ment!" and In the same calm. almost
childish voice: "Oh, Howard, Is that
you? Yes. know l promised not to
do this, but that was before things
happened Well, what am to do when
It is necessary to talk to you? Yes, 1t
7 ell
I am sorry 1t is not convenient for you
to talk to me, but l really must ask
you to listen. No, shall not write.
want to talk to you tonight-now.
Yes, you may come here II you care
to. think you had better come, How
ard. because am liable to continue
ringing your telephone until you are
willing to listen. No. there is nobody
here. am alone. What time? Very
well; l shall expect you. Goodby."
She hung up the receiver and turned
to Mortimer:
"He's coming up at once. Did say
anything to scare him particularly
zone things sure as preaching" said
Mortimer. Hes coward, and I'm
glad of it." he added naively, relight-
ing his cigar, which had gone out.
IF he comes up In his motor he'll be
here in few minutes" she said.
Suppose you take your hat and go out.
| don't want him to think what he
will think If he walks into the room
and finds you waiting. You have your
key, Leroy. Walk down the block, and
when YOU see him come in give him
Ave minutes"
Her voice had become little breath
less, and her color was high. Mortl-
mer, too, seemed apprehensive. Things
had suddenly begun to work them
selves out too swiftly.
do you think that's best?' he fal-
tered, looking about for his hat. TEL
Merkle that nobody has been here If
Quarter should ask him. DO you
think we're doing it in the best way,
Lydia? BY God! 1t smells of put up
ioh m me But | guess it's all right