The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1909-11-06
CHAPTER !.


the wide stairs, and though she was
smiling with the joy of Vernons COM
ing, she stopped on the bottom step
long enough to shake out the skirt of
the new spring gown she wore, with a
manner that told she had 1t on that
evening for the first time. Vernon
fastened to meet her, and 1t was not
until he had kissed her and released
her from his embrace that she saw the
dressing-case he had set down in the
hall
alarm. Her smile faded suddenly, leav-
ing her face wholly serious.
Il have to go back tonight" he re-
piled, almost guilty.
Tonight"
Yes; / must be in Springfield in
the morning"
''But what about the dinner?"
We'll" he began, helplessly, 81
guess you'll have to get somebody in
my place."
Amelia stopped and looked at him in
amazement.
Il thought the senate never met
Mondays until five o'clock in the after
noon?' she said.
1T doesn't, usually; but | had tel
egram from Porter an hour ago;
there's to be conference in the morn
ing"
They started toward the drawing
room. Amelia was pouting in her dis.
appointment.
| 81 knew something would spoil It,"
she said, Enthusiastically. And then she
added. presently: 81 thought that Mon
day afternoon session never lasted
longer than minute. You never went
down before until Monday night"
81 know, DEAR" said Vernon, apollo
getically, but now that the session is
nearing its close, we're buster than we
have BEEN"
Cant you wire Mr.. Porter and get
him to let you Off" she asked.
Vernon laughed.
HE isn't my MASTER" he replied.
We'll, he acts like it," she retorted
and then as II she had suddenly hi
upon an unanswerable argument she
went on: IF that's so why do you
pay any attention to his telegram"
1T isn't he, DEAR" Vernon explained
'it's the party. We are to have very
important conference to consider sit
uation that has just arisen. must moi
miss it,"
We'll, 1t ruins my dinner, that's
all" she said, helplessly. 81 wanted
you here"
Vernon had come up from Spring
field as usual for the weeks end ad
journment, and Amelia had counted OF
his waiting over, as he always did, fol
the Monday night train, before goint
back to his duties in the senate. More
than all, she had counted on him for /;
dinner she had arranged for Monda.
evening.
What time does your train leave?'
she asked, in the voice of one who sue
cumbs finally to hopeless situation
ELEVEN twenty" he said. But
brought my luggage over with me, 81
could start from here at the las
minute. I'll go over to the Twenty
third street station and catch 4
I there"
Amelia had had the deep chair Yer
,, non liked so well wheeled into tn,
mellow circle of the light that fel
from a tall lamp. The lamp gave III,
only light in the room, and the room
appeared vast in the dimness; an ef
feet somehow aided by the chill tina
. was on it, as IL the fires Of the Ansle.
, house had been allowed to die dow
in an eager pretense of spring. 1t wa
. spring, but spring in Chicago. Sunda.
morning had been bright and the LAX
had sparkled blue in the warm wine
that came up somewhere from tn
southwest, but by night the wind hat
wheeled around, and the lake resume
its normal cold and menacing mood
AS Vernon sank into the chair h
, caught a narrow glimpse of the boule
ward between. the curtains nf-the larg
window; in the brilliant light OF
! street lamp he could see a cold raj
: slanting down on to the asphalt.
!. "How much longer is this legislator
!, to last, anyway" Amelia demanded, a
!, she arranged herself in the low chat
;, before him.
"Three weeks" Vernon replied.
"Three--weeks-mo The gil
drew the words out.