Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-12-16


praise. but when calm followed storm
De Rocheverte. Milton. his friend Ma
son and the two Hungarians We'd with
one another in volubly explaining each
act and failure to act. They had
wanted to make way out for the
ladies'; that was why they had tried
to get to the door. but they had been
caught and overwhelmed in the crowd.
/ They all talked fast and eagerly. al
most convincingly, but the ladies. pale
and shattered. listened without an
swering And when they thanked
Tony Kidd for Saving them from be-
Ing burned alive" they were careful
neither to contradict nor assent when
he assured them that 1t was "Our
brave pretender who did everything
As for Loveland, he was no longer
to be seen. Tony looked In vain for
his comrada In battle.
Funny thing" Val thought as he
looked at his burned left hand and his
singed coat-"funny thing! suppose
/ behaved fairly decently because
had to do ii and there was no other
way. But I've fancied myself a lot
more before this for grand slam at
bridge or u right and left shot at a
couple of birds"
There was no need to prove his cOur-
age further by reappearing In the res
taurant If he went back it would look
as If he werc bidding for compliments
from his late tormentors. and heaven
knew that he wanted nothing Of the
sort. He wanted only TO be let alone.
Dick was binding up his injured hand
when the sound Of q voice behind his
back made him turn quickly.
See here" said Tony Kidd, 1--WE
been looking for you. because / want
to tell you something. Whatever else
you may or may not be, you're a man
anyhow"
AS he delivered himself Of this
speech Tony's pleasant, clever face
lost the Quizzical expression 1t was
wont to wear and looked very attrac-
| tive in its earnestness.
THANK you,' answered Loveland
rather stiffiy. Then, melting as his
blue eyes and Tony's brown ones held
each other. he added, smiling, $50 are
you"
IF I've made things any worse for
you I'm sorry" went on Tony. "It's
all been In the way Of business, you
know"
MiltOn's words to the young journal
list had cleared the mystery Of the
crowd who had glanced up from their
newspapers to stare at the English
waiter and gone back to their news
papers again. Tony's yelled allusion
brought no surprise to Loveland, there
fore, and he answered without heat
at doesn't matter" he said quietly in
tired voice. which made good ma
tured Tony vince.
you're in pain, aren't you" he
asked.
"Oh, nothing to speak Of" said Val.
Burned my hand and wrist little;
that's all"
at was a narrow shave" said Tony
"by Jove, shave literally. for you've
pretty well made a clearance Of hair
on one side Of your head"
81 must look like convict" return
I'd LOveland, and. considering every
thing. it struck Tony Kidd as odd that
the Englishraan should make that par
ticular remark about himself.
you've been having mighty hard
time of it since-er-since l saw you
last" the journalist observed.
ut has been an experience" said
Loveland.
I'D like to show my appreciation OF
the way you've acted tonight" said
Tony. us there anything can do for
your"
THANK you very much. but l think
there's nothing you can do" Loveland
answered
Tony knew Of one thing that he
could do and had already decided to do
ito turn the tide of public opinion as
far as possible by graphic descrip-
ton Of the fire at Alexander's In to-
morrow mornings Light. But, after
all, that would not accomplish much
If any material good. A wave of SYM
pathy would only send more curiosity
seekers to Alexander's, and TOny's
keen eyes had seen through Love-
lands mask Of Indifference how he
writhed under his punishment.
"Say. you can't stay on here" the
American explained lmpulsively. ITS
dogs life. and whatever you are.
whatever you've been. you're too much
Of a gentleman by breeding and edu-
cation to stand it. You'll have TO quit.
and perhaps l could think of some way
out If you
"Tll thank you not to try and take
my waiter away from me. Mr.. Kidd"
broke In Alexander the Great. speak
ing so suddenly behind the two young
men that both started like guilty
things upon q fearful summons"
"This isn't the right place for him,
Alexander. and you know it," retorted
Tony.
Its the place he's engaged to stay
in until he leaves the country" Alex
ander persisted. And mean to hold
him to his word or know the reason
why. If Gordon leaves me without a
weeks notice I'll make him sorry for
himself"
"He saved your place tonight and
Lord knows how many lives" said
Tony.
dat amt got nothin' to do with the
case" insisted Alexander.