Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-09-30

direction. Even that to the lodge was
found to be out Of order at last
Gormly had not waited In the r.
I brary to hear the result OF the tele-
I phoning- AS soon as he had the men
comfortably provided for, he had gone
back TO the great hall, which was
more OF living room than anything
else. The first Of the women of the
party to present herself was Miss Hal
dane. She was in full evening dress.
Her noble head rose grandly from her
exquisite shoulders. In her dark hair
she wore a diamond coronet Her
dress, soft. shimmering stuff Of white,
trailed behind her
| He had never seen her except in the
/ quiet conventionality of a street dress
he had imagined her in all sorts Of
guises. When she burst upon him
| that way however. the sight dazzled
/ him. 1t was so far beyond any dream
he had ever INDUCED that he could
scarcely comprehend It. He stopped
and stared at her. For once his iron
control deserted him There was that
/
OF which no one could mistake the
meaning
You must pardon my surprise"
said Gormly; Il have never seen you
In an evening gown, and I confess my
imagination unequal to-"
DO you like it?" said the girl nerv-
ously.
/ nIY1 nlxy. a.
Haldane," he returned directly. II see
only YOU"
How singularly unobservant," she
| said lightly, recovering her equipoise,
for a man whose business 1t Is to buy
and sell such things not to notice
them"
In your presence tonight, Miss Hal
dane, business is as far from noe as
If 1t was on the other side OF the
world. 1t is on the other side Of the
world he continued swiftly; "fer this
is different world from any in which
have ever moved, and T.
His speech was broken by the en-
trance OF Mrs. Haldane and Miss Stew
art, The latter was fragile, grace
full, charming girl, who would have
attracted instant attention and notice
companion and friend Mrs. Haldane
was not unworthy complement to
the other two. These two also were
wearing elaborate dinner gowns
At this moment Haldane, followed
by the two other men, came in from
the library.
MIR. Gormly," began Haldane, SEN
Tor, Il am unable to get anybody over
the telephone"
II am sorry to hear that. I suppose
that the wires are down on account of
the storm"
Exactly. Meanwhile, / scarcely
know what to do. Could you send a
man on horse over to my placer"
Il should be glad to do So did pos
sess the horse"
"The pair that brought us up from
the lodge?"
Neither Is broken to saddle. l be-
lieve and-but I can send a man over
on foot l have no doubt"
II hardly think that would be pos
sible," interposed Dr. Deveaux. Il
should not like to be responsible for
any man on foot in such a storm as
this"
'Tn go myself" said Gormly quick
! ly.
You, Mr. Gormly!" exclaimed Mrs.
Haldane. why, we couldn't think Of
such a thing. The danger."
Madam, have been afoot in worse
storms than this he answered, when
was a mere boy In the far west
1t was the first intimation anybody
from New York, had had as to any
period of Gormly's life outside of New
York, and one of the company at least
pricked up his ears at this remark
and listened attentively.
I'VE couldn't think of allowing you
to do So said Miss Haldane.
81 suppose that pair you have could
, hardly take us over?" questioned Liv-
ingstone Haldane
81 am afraid not" answered Gormly.
"They have been driven ssther hard
today, and they are light pair at
, best. as you notice"
We'll, we are thrust upon you. then,
marooned as It were"
81 hope you won't find my house the
typical desert island" answered CORN
ly. smiling. Indeed, scarcely know
what the resources OF the establish
ment are, having entered into posses
sion only today; but whatever they
are, they are at your service.
There's no help for 1t, | suppose,
answered Haldane somewhat glooml-
ly. Il guess you will have TO keep us
until morning"
!, Think how happy you make lone
j.. ~ old bachelor" returned Gormly, by
being his Christmas guests. And II
you will accept this situation, as In
deed fear you must. l shall make ar
, | rangements SO that you can be taken
to your own place on Christmas morn
, ing. Let me consult my butler, who
was Mr.. Goodrich's major domo before