The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-07-02
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Copyright Robert ".
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cas-. ian walnut
There is nobody at home, SIR" said
the l.ail
He began to ascend the stairway,
breathing heavily. thud, thud over the
deep velvet strip, his fat hand grasp
Ing the banister rail
Somewhere on the second floor a
small dog barked. and Mortimer ira
yersed the hall and opened the door
into & room hung with gold Spanish
leather and pale green curtains.
Hello. Tintor' he said affably as a
tiny japanese spaniel hurled herself at
/ him, barking furiously, then began
writhing and weaving herself about
him, gurgling recognition and wei
come.
Presently another maid entered, with
an apple cut into thin waters and
decanter of port, and Mortimer lay
back in his chair, sopping his apple in
the thick. crimson wine and feeding
morsels of the combination to himself
and to Tinto at intervals until the ap-
pie was all gone and the decanter
three-fOurths empty.
1t was very still In the room-sO still
that Mortimer. opening his eyes at
longer and longer intervals to peer at
the door, finally opened them no more.
1t was still daylight when Mortimer
awoke, conscious of people about him.
\ Low hAd
Several people seated by the windows
JOIneu In. t1e yawned. laugned, TURN
ing his heavy eyes from one to an
other, recognizing couple OF young
girls at the window. He didn't want
to get up, but there is in the society he
now adorned a stringency Of etiquette
known as refinement" and which to
ignore is to become unpopular.
So he got on to his massive legs and
went over TO shake hands with gray
ity becoming the ceremony.
"How dye do, Miss HutchinsonE
Thought you were at Asbury Park.
How de do, Miss Del Garcia? Have
you been out in Millbank's motor YETI
I'VE broke down at McGowan's
pass" said Miss Del Garcia, laughing
the laugh that had made her so at
tractive in "A Word to the Wise"
muddy gasoline" nodded Millbank
tersely, an iron jawed, overgroomed
man of forty with a ford face shaved
blue.
eve passed Mr.. Plank's big touring
car" observed Lydia Vyse, shifting
Tinto to the couch and brushing the
black and white hairs from her auto
mobile coat How much does car
like that cost, LeroyY
"About twenty-five thousand" he
said gloomily Then, looking up: Hold
on, Millbank Don't be going. Why
can't you all dine with us? Never mind
your car. Ours Is all right, and well
run out into the country for dinner
How about it, Miss Del GarciaT
But both Miss Del Garcia and Miss
Hutchinson had accepted another IN
yitation. In which Millbank was also
included.
They stood about, wells floating
leather decorated coats thrown BACK
lingering for awhile to talk the garage
talk which fascinates people of their
type. Then Millbank looked at the
clock. made his adieu to Lydia, nodded
significantly to Mortimer and followed
the others downstairs.
There was something amiss with his
motor, for 1t made startling racket
In the street, finally plunging forward
with kick.
Lydia laughed as the two young
girls In the tonneau turned to nod to
her in mock despair Then she came
running back upstairs, holding her
skirt free from her hurrying little feet.
"WellT' she inquired, as Mortimer
turned back from the window to con-
front her.
"I missed him." said Mortimer.
She flung the coat over a chair, stooa
a moment, her fingers busy with her
n Ah