Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-10-06
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where. all things were in order-bu,
gray with dust.
flnding the atmosphere heavy. stale.
ana oppressive. Maitland moved over
10 tue windows and threw them open.
gush OF warm air. umid and redo
lent OF the streets, inv lded the room.
together with the roar of traffic from
its nearby arteries. Maitland rested
elbows on the sill and leaned out star.
ing absently into the night; for by
now IT was quite dark Without con-
Germ, he realized that he would be late
at dinner. No matter; he would as
willingly miss il altogether. For the
Tune being he was absorbed in vain
speculations about an unknown wom
an whose sole claim upon his consid
GRAFTON lay in certain but immateria,
glamour of mystery. Had she. or had
sne not, been in the house? And. IL
the true answer were I'm the affirma,
tive, to what end, upon what errand?
His eyes focused insensibIy upon a
void OF darkness beneath him-night
made visible b. street lamps: and he
found himself suddenly and acutelv
sensible OF the wonder and mystery of
the City; the City whose secret life
ran fluent upon the hot, hard pave.
ments below, whose voice throbbed
sibilant vague. strident. inarticulate
upon the night air; the City of which
he was a part equally with the girl in
gray, whom he had never before seen.
and In all likelihood was never to
see again, though the two of them
were to work out their destinies within
the bounds of Manhattan island. And
yet.
1T would be strange" said Maitland
thoughtfully, IF :" He shook
his head, smiling. 1.-Two shall be
BORN" quoted Mad Maitland. senti.
mentally
Two shall be born the whole wide
world apart"
"A piano organ, having maliciously
sneaked up beneath his window. drove
him indoors with a crash of metallic
melody.
AS he dropped the curtains his eve
was arrested by n CLEAN OF white upor
MS desk-a letter placed there, doubt.
less. by CHagan in Maitland's alb.
sence. At the same time, a splashing
and gurgling of water from the direc-
ton OF the bathroom informed him
that the janitor-valet was even then
preparing his bath. But that could
wait.
Maitland took up the envelope and
tore the flap, remarking the name and
address of his lawyer in its imperfect.
hand corner. Unfolding the Enclosure.
he read date a week old. and two
lines requesting him to communicate
with his legal adviser upon "a matter
Of pressing moment"
"Bother!" said Maitland. what the
dickens"
He pulled up short, eyes lighting.
That's so, you know" he argued.
Zimmerman will be delighted, and
and even business is better than rush.
ing round town and pretending to en-.
JOY yourself when it's hotter than the
seven brass hinges of hell and YOU
can't think Of anything else.
I'll do it,"
He stepped quickly to the corner of
the room, where stood the telephone
upon a small side table, sat down. and
receiver to ear, gave central a mum.
Der. In another moment he was in
communication with his attorneys res.
idence
rs Mr.. Bannerman in? / would ike
to"
why, Mr.. Bannerman! How do
you do?"
You're looking 100 per cent. bet.
ter"
Bad. mad word, Naughty"
Maitland, of course"
Beer out of town and just got your
note"
'Your beastly penchant for econ.
omy. It's not stamped; l presume YOU
sent it round by hand of the future
president OF the United States whom
you now employ as office boy. And
O'Hagan didn't forward it for that
reason"
important. Ell? I'm only in for the
night"
Then come and dine with me at the
frimordial. I'll put the others off"
Good enough. In an hour. then?
Good-by."
Hanging up the receiver. Maitland
waited a few moments ere again put.
ting 1t 70 his ear. This time he called
up Shefry's, asked for the head waiter.
and requested that person to be kind
enough to make rs excuses to "Mr.
Cressy ard party" he, Maitland. was
detained ppOn matter of moment.
but would endeavor to Join them at a
later hour
Then, with a satisfied smile. he
turned away, with purpose to dispose
OF Bannerman's note.
Baths ready, sor."
O'Hagan's announcement fell upop
needless ears. Maitland remained mo.
tionlcss before tho desk-transfxed
with amazement.