Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-11-11

be would receive an apology from the
rude wretch who had insuited MIN
that afternoon. But nothing would IN
duce him to forget or forgive he
had Informed the Lor,don bankers that
his business must be diverted INTO an
other channel, which they were invited
to suggest
When Loyeland found himself alone
AGAIN in his luxurious suit OF rooms
with the November night coming on
and no amusement on hand ne nail
wished once more that he had not
been 20 cautious In the matter OF ac'
centing Invitations After all. II would
not have compromised his future II ne
had gone to dine with the Coolidges
or Spanish eyed. birtatious Mrs. Milton
and her gentle little daughter Fanny
The next best thing to dining with
friends would be 10 watch the coming
and going Of guy New York In the
restaurant.
He dressed and went down about g.
therefore. looking forward to the nov
city of the unknown.
II was a brilliant scene into the
midst Of which IIoveland had plungeo
Society begins to dine earlier In New
York than IN London; therefore at .
O'clock dinner was In full swing
There was scarcely an empty table.
and many of the women being In mats
and semi-evening dress. the red and
gold restaurant suggested TO the new
conner a living picture Of Paris.
He had had the forethought to tele'
phone down and order a table to be-
kept for him, and on informing an In
terrogative waiter that he was Lord
Loveland he learned that his place
would be found at the far end of the
room.
Ii looked q very far end. indeed.
gazing across an intervening sea OF
flower like hats. charming faces and
jeweled necks that glimmered white
under film Of lace and tulle. but Love
land was not shy. He rather enjoyed
his progress. winding on and on along
narrow paths between rose burdened
tables. with lovely eyes lifting to his
as be passed by. He wondered II any
pair of those eyes was destined 10
look down his own table at LOveland
castle some day. Well. they should
be beautiful eyes to deserve the hon
or. The thought slipped vaguely
through his head. and then his own
eyes frightened with the light OF rec
ognition.
There. at large table decorated with
white and purple violets. sat Elinor
Coolidge. her father. Mrs. Milton and
Fanny and two men whom Loyeland
had never seen before. Standing and
bending slightly down to talk In con
fidential tone with one of these men
was Major Cadwallader Hunter.
His back was turned toward Love
land. who recognized him Instantly
however. by the set Of his high mill
tary shoulders and the bald spot on
bis head which Lesley Dearmer had
likened to the shape Of Italy Oh the
map. He seemed to listen with deep
interest to what one of the seated men
was saying and then TO chime IN
eagerly with some addition Of his own
Suddenly LoveIand caught Fanny MIL
toms eye. She started and bushed
scarlet. The slight involuntary move
ment she made drew Miss Coolidge's
attention. and Elinor. seeing the direc.
ton In which Fanny's eyes were
turned, sent a glance that way.
Loveland. within bowling distance
now, met the glance and returned It..
smiling. He was annoyed that Cad
waIlader Hunter should be with the
party, even though evidently not or It.
Yet. after all. he said to himself. per,
haps II was as we'll. He did not mean
to apologize to Cadwallader Hunter.
for he thought his own rudeness more
or less justified by the liberty the
other had taken, but he had already
made up his mind that the next time
he met the man he would act as II
,othing disagreeable had happened. As
to Cadwallader Hunters readiness TO
snatch at the olive branch. Loveland
had not the slightest doubt Of It He
thought be had only to hold ont a
hand for the major to kiss it, grovel'
ing.
Elinor Coolidge did not blush at the
sight of Lord Loveand as Fanny Nil.
ton did, but her beautiful face changed
curiOusly. Its cameo clear lines hard
ened, her lips were pressed together,
and her large eyes narrowed. cleaning
like topazes between their dark lashes.
as the lights from the shaded candles
on the table lighted sparks In their
yellow-brown depths.
The thought flashed into Loveland's
head that the quick change In her
face meant jealousy Of Fanny Milton
He had noticed more than once on
shipboard that she had seemed jealous
of Fanny, and now that deep blush OF
the younger girls at sight Of him had
probably vexed her.
How d'you dot" he asked. pausing
| at the table.
Instead Of answering or putting out
her hand to him, as he expected. Ell
nor almost convulsively grasped the
sticks of a delicate little fan which
lay beside her plate. She shot a
topaz glance ut one Of the two new
men, then let her eyes under raised
brows seek and hold her fathers.
Lord Loveland was at once sur
prised and puzzled by this extraordi
nary reception. "Can Cadwallader
Hunter have told them all some lie
to set them against me?" he asked