The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-07-26
Post-PrandiaI.


Post-Prsndial.
Bannernan pushed back his chair a
few inches, shifting position the better
to benefit Of a faint air that famed
in through the open window. Matt
land, twisting the sticky stem of
Hqueur glass between thumb ard fore
finger, sat in patient waiting for the
lawyer to speak.
But Bannerman was in no hurry;
his mood was rather one contempla-
tive and genial He was a round and
cherubie little man, with the face Of
a guileless child, the acumen Of a sue
cessfm counsel for soulless corpora
tions Chat is to say, OF 3 high order).
no particular sense of humor, and
great appreciation Of good eating.
And Maitland was famous in his day
as one thoroughly conversant with the
art Of ordering dinner.
That which they had just discussed
had been uncommon in all respects;
Maitland's scheme of courses and his
specification as to details had reused
the admiration OF the Primordial's chef
and put him on his mettle. He had
outdone himself in his efforts to do
justice TO Mr.. Maitlands genius; and
the Primordial in It's deadly conserve
tism remains to this day one Of the
very few places in New York where
good, sound cooking is to be had by
the initiate.
Therefore Bannerman thoughtfully
sucked at his cigar and thought
fandly Of a salad that had been to
ordinary salads as his 8o-horse-power
car was to an electric blackboard.
While Maitland, with all time at his
purchase. idly fieled the ash from his
cigarette and followed his attorneys
meditative gaze out through the win
dow.
Because of the heat the curtains
we're looDed back, and there was moth
ing to obstruct the view. Madison
square lay just over the sill, dark
wilderness Of foliage here and there
made livid green By are lights. It's
walks teemed with humanity, its
benches were crowded. Dimiy from
its heart came the cool FLASHING of the
fountain, in luIls that fell unaccount-
ably in the roaring rustic Of restless
feet Over across, Broadway raised
glittering walls of glass and stone;
and thence came the poignant groan
and rumble of surface cars crawling
upon their weary and unvarying
rounds.
And again Maitland thought Of the
City, and of Destiny, and OF the gray
girl the silhouette Of whose hand was
imprisoned beneath the brass bowl on
his study desk. For by now he was
quite satisfied that she and none other
had trespassed upon the privacy of his
rooms, obtaining access to them in his
absence by means as unguessable as
her motive. Momentarily he cGnsid-
cred taking Bannerman into his con-
fdenee; but he questioned the adj
Visibility of this. BanAerman was so
severely practical in his outlook upon
life. while this adventure had been
80 madly whimsical so engagingly
Impossible. Zimmerman would be sure
to suggest q call at the precinct police
station. If she had made way
with anything, it would be different;
but SO far as Maitland had been able
to determine, she had distracted moth
ing. disturbed nothing beyond a few
square inches of dust
UnwilllBgly Bannerman put the
salad out Of mind and turned to the
business whose immediate moment
had brought them together. He
hummed softly, calling his client to at
tention. Maitland came out OF his
reyerie, vaguely smiling.
sT'm waiting, old man. What's uD2"
.sThe Graeme business. His lawyers
have beer. after me again. I even had
a call from the old man himself.
~Yes? The Graeme BUSINESS"
Naitland's expression was blank for a
moment; then comprehension informed
his eyes. ooh, yes; in connection with
the Dougherty investment swindle.'
That's it. Graelne's pleading for
mercy
Maitland lifted his shoulders sig
ntfcantIy. "That was to be expected,
wasn't it? What did you tell hin?1
What I'd see you.
aDid you hold out TO him any hopes
that I'd be easy on the gang?"
u told him that l doubted If you