The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-08-13

; sucn mate Tor him. This had. IN
admitted even to himself. aIways ne
NAMED hidden secret within this Sc
sret man, an unacknowledged. IN
1rawn on reserve in case of the fail
ure which he, even in sanguine moods
knew in his inmost corrupted soul thai
ais quest was doomed to-.
And now he had no more need of &c
srets from himself. Now, turning hi
gaze inward, he looked upon all witt
which he had chosen to deceive him
self. And there was nothing left FOL
self deception.
If l marry you" he said calmly, "a
least | know what am getting"
Il Will marry you, Howard. I've
got to marry somebody pretty soon
You or Captain Voucher"
For an instant q vicious light flashed
in his narrowing eyes. She saw II
and shook her head with weary Gym.
icism.
mo, not that. 1t could not attract
/! me even with you. 1t is really vulgar
that arrangement Noblesse oblige.
mon ami. There is depravity in mar
] rying you that makes all lesser vices
stale as-virtues."
he said nothing. She looked at him,
lazily amused: then. inattentive, turn
ed and paced the floor again.
"Shall | see you tomorrow" he de-
manded.
IF you wish. Captain Voucher came
down on the same train with me, III
set him adrift If you like"
as he preparing for a declaration"
sneered Quarter.
81 think So" she said simply.
"Well, If he comes tonight after I'm
gone, you wait final word from me.
Do you understand" he repeated, with
repressed violence.
mo, Howard, Are you going to
propose to me tomorrow?
you'll know tomorrow" he retort-
ed angrily. Il tell you to wait. I've
right to that much consideration
anyway"
"very well, Howard" she said, rec
ognizing In him the cowardice which
she had always suspected to be there
She babe him good night. He touch
ed her hand, but made no offer to kiss
her. She laughed a little to herself
watching him striding toward the ele-
vator
She turned leisurely, her slim hands
balanced lightly on her narrow hips,
and strolled into the second dressing
ROOM, mere Mis-. Yenuennlng sat sui
lenly INDUCING in that particular spe-
cies of solitaire known as 1.-THE Idiots
Delight"
"Well?" inquired Mrs. Vendenning,
looking up at the tall, pale girl she !
was chaperoning so carefully during |
their sojourn in town. what did :
Howard Quarter want?"
"He knows, think, but he hasn't yet
me-
9TH tell you one thing, Agatha"
said Mrs. Vendenning, gathering up
the packs for a new shuttle, Grace
Ferrall doesn't fancy Towards atten-
hon to you. and she's beginning to say
10. When you go back to Shotover
you'd better let him alone"
"I'm. not going back to Shotover,"
'aid Agatha.
"What?"
mo, don't think so. However, I'll
ct you know tomorrow. 1t all Deepen IS
but don't expect to-" She turf ID
IS her maid tapped on the door "Oh,
'aptain Voucher. Are you at home to
limT" Tipping the pasteboard on to
he table among the scattered cards.
EYES," said Mrs. Vendenning aggres-
lively, unless you expect him to flop
own on his knees tonight. Do your"
81 don't-tonight. Perhaps tomor-
ow. / don't know. l can't tell yet."
md to her maid she nodded that they
7ere at home to Captain Voucher.
Quarter had met him, too, just as
e was leaving the hotel lobby. They
xchanged the careful salutations Of 2
len who had no use for one another.
N the Englishman's clean cut face a Q
eeper hue settled as he passed; on I
not a trace Of emotion, but
hen he entered his motor he sat bolt
bright, stiff backed and stiff necked, Q
Is long gray gloved fingers moving o
over his pointed beard.
.
The night was magnificent. Myri :,
is of summer stars spangled the u
,avens. Plank, driving his big motor II
orthward through the night, Leila :
ortimer beside him, twice mistook y
e glimmer of freely for the distant :. =
mp of motor, which amused Leila. y
I'd her clear young laughter foated =
lex to the ears of Sylvia and Siward. -
red up in their corners Of the huge =. =.
nneau. But they were too profound u
occupied with each other to heed a.
9 sudden care free laughter of the u
ung matron, though in these days ~
r laughter was infrequent enough to q. a.
{ the more merciless tongues wag
lg when It did sound. u