Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-03-26

element 10 INC OG.--uer.
That he had unwittingly and prema-
turely aroused some unsupported force
on which he had not counted and OF
which he had no definite knowledge
was revealed to Neergard when he &C.
sired Rosamund to obtain for him an
invitation to the Orchils' ball.
1t appeared that she could not do so
that even the threatened tendency Of
Block Copper could not sharpen her
wits to devise way for him. Very
innocently she told him that Jack
Ruthven was leading the Chinese CO.
tillon with Mrs. Delmour-Carnes from
one end, Gerald Enroll with Gladys
from the other-a hint that a card
ought to be easy enough to obtain in
spite OF the strangely forgetful Or
chils.
Long since he had fixed upon Gladys
Orchil as the most suitable silent part
ner for the unbult house of Neergard,
unconcerned that rumor was already
sending her abroad for the double pur-
pose of getting rid Of Gerald and Of
giving deserving aristocracy look in
at the fresh youth of her and her sell
ing price.
He had come on various occasions
close to the unruffled skirts Of this
young girl-not yet, however. in her
own house But Sanxon Orchil had
recently condescended to turn around
in his Office chair and leave his anus
ing railroad combinations long enough
to divide with Neergard a quarter OF
million copper profits, and there was
another turn to be expected when
Neergard gave the word.
Therefore it puzzled and confused
Neergard to be overlooked where the
gay world had been summoned with
an accompanying blast from the pub
lie press: therefore he had gone to
Rosamund with the curtest of hints
that he would like to have a card TO
the Orchil affair.
s'There Is no use in speaking TO
George" she said, shaking her head.
'"Try it." returned Neergard, with
hint OF a snarl And he took his leave
and his hat from the man in waiting,
who looked after him with the Slight
est tWitching of his shaven upper lip,
for Tie lifting of an eyebrow in the
drawing rooms becomes warrant for
tip that runs very swiftly below stairs.
That afternoon, alone in his office,
Neergard remembered Gerald, and for
the first time he understood the mis-
take of making an enemy out of what
he had known only as friendly fool
But it was a detail, after all--merely
slight error in assuming too early an
arrogance he could have afforded to
wait for. He had waited long, long
while for some things.
AS for Fame, he had him locked up
with his short account No doubt he'd
hear from the Orchils through the
Fanes. However, to clinch the matter
he thought he might as well stop in to
see Ruthven.
So that afternoon he took hanson
at Broad and Wall streets and rolled
smoothly uptown. not seriously con-
cerned, but willing to have brief I'M.
derstanding with Ruthyen on one or
two subjects.
AS his cab drove up to the Intricate
" ornamental little house of gray
stone a big touring limousine wheeled
out from the curb, and he caught sight
of Sanxon Orchil and Phoenix Notify
inside, evidently just leaving Ruthven.
His smiling and very cordial bow
was returned coolly by Orchil and ep-
parently not observed at all by Mott
ly. He sat second in his cab motion
less, the obseQuiOus smile still stem
ciled on his flushed face. Then the
flush darkened. He got out OF his cab
and. bidding the man wait, rang at the
house of Ruthven.
Ruthven in a lounging suit Of lilac
silk, sashed in with flexible silver,
stood with his back to the doc" as
Neergard was announced. and even
after he was announced Ruthve1 took
his time to turn and stare and nod
with a deliberate negligence th@t &C.
ccntod the affront.
Neergard sat down. Ruthyen gaZcd
out of the window. then, soft thumbs
hooked in his sash. turned leiSurely ID
lmpudent interrogation.
what is the matter with you?" ask
ed Neergard. 81 see there's some trou-
BILE somewhere. What is it? What's
the matter with Orchil and that hatch
ct faced beagle pup, Notify? Is there
anything the matter, Jack?'
Nothing important" said Ruthven.
with an information which troubled
Neergard. did you come here to
ah-ask anything of me? Very glad
to do anything, Pm sure"
"Are you? Well, then, I want card
TO the Orchils'."
lawfully sorry"
"You mean you WON'T"
"Well, if you really insist, they-Sh
don't want you, Neergard."
"Who-why-how do you happen to
know that they don't? Is this some
petty spite of that young cub, Gera.d.
or''-and he almost looked at Ruthven
lis this some childish whim OF
yours?
och, really now
Eyes, really now" sneered Neergard.
you'd better tell me. And you'd bet.
ter understand now. once for all. just
exactly what I've outlined for myself
so you can steer clear of the territory
operate in. need little backing,