Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-06-12


Are ycu speaking to me?" he de
manded haughtily.
81 shouldn't be surprised" said Pike
geniaIy. Amt you an Americana
81 happen TO have been born in the
States" replied Horace aggressively.
and Pike smiled quizzicaHy.
We'll that was luck" he comment
ed. and as Horace turned again 10 go
he said; Hold on minute, I'm look
ing FOR some Americans here. and
expect you know 'em-boy and girl
named simpson,
Horace flushed deeply to the roots OF
his hair
els there any possibility you mean
GranCer-SimpsonI z" he asked. with
elaborate sarcasm. but this was lost
on Daniel
"No, sir; just plain Simpson. Gran
gers their middle name That's for
old Jed Granger. grandfather on their
mothers side. / want TO see 'em both.
but it's the girl I'm really looking for"
"Wil you be good enough 20 state
any possible reason why Miss Granger
Simpson should see your and Pike
started In genuine establishment.
Reason he reiterated. why, yes.
I'm her guardian
The effect OF this simple statement
was terrifying. Ethel reeled dizzily
and was supported by Nine. de Cham
pigny. The earl rose 10 his feet. and
Horace staggered back.
What" he cried.
Yes, sir" went on Pike-"Daniel
voorhees, Pike. attorney at law. Koko-
mo- Ind"
Horace fen back from him in horri-
fed amazement
Il shall ask her" he began weakly
and shamefacedly, III she viii consent
20 an interview"
Pike looked az him in amazemenr In
his turn.
Interview he said. why, ! want
20 talk 10 herr
Hawcasue. with some OF his finer
feelings aroused, picked up his sister
in-law with his eyes, much as clever
hostess picks up her feminine guests at
dinner, and arose. turning to Ethel
This shall make no difference 10 us.
my child" he said and. turning sharp
~. took Lady Creech by the arm and
left the terrace. Pike looked az Hor-
ace pityingly.
Don't you understand9" he said.
I'm her guardian
For a fieeting instant Horace stared
az him and then dropped his chin and
walked away.
Il shall never hold mp my head
again." he said.
The sudden horror OF the revelation
that Horace had drawn forth bore
down upon Ethel's mind with a crush
ing weight
To her artihcialized understanding
the disgrace was more than she could
ever hope 20 bear. and Horace's ex-
pressed thought that he should never
be able 10 hold up his head again was
but a vivifcation OF her own.
Surely II would have been bad
enough, she told herself. II this fearful
thing had come upon them privately.
but TO have IL appear IN the full light
OF day and In the very hearing OF the
family OF the man she was about 20
marry was too cruel
And with an inward groan she leaned
for a moment against the terrace wall
where the countess had left her. When
the first establishment had passed and
she had time 10 realize what had oc-
CURED. events that had seemed but
neeting impressions rose up before her
IN all their vivid nakedness. Nine. de
Champlgny had looked at her with
astute contempt, she was sure. and she
dimly remembered seeing the look OF
horrihed amazement upon the patrician
features OF the Earl Of Hawcasue.
Then, with an awakened resentment
the lighting blood Of the sturdy plebe-
Ian simpson stock, the stock that had
upheld Its end In the battle against
oppression In several wars. came back
TO her with n rush. and she decided to
see this awful man and give him 10
understand that he must go away at
once and never insult her again bv
his uncouth and vulgar presence. Such
business as had to be transacted could
be done through an intermediary.
With bracing OF her spirit she
stepped forward resolutely and came
up close behind Pike as he stood with
dropping jaw gazing in perplexity
after the retreating Horace. Ethel cast
a look OF loathing upon the straight
back Of the guardian OF her peace and
ground her little boot heel into the
stone tagging. She glanced up and
saw that the common German was
looking at Pike with grave sympathy
and even understanding, and Instantly
she hated him for It. Then she saw
him take his cap from the obsequious
Mariana and turn away. When he had
gone she said in a low voice:
Il am Miss Granger-Simpson."