Charlevoix county herald., 1910-12-31
CHAPTER XXvl.-Continued.

s1e drew a chair near the lamp and
lighted cigarette, and for a time we
wSre silent l was in the shadow, and
1 kat back and watched him. 1t was
nf surprising, l thought, that she
cIred for him; women had always
loved him, perhaps because he al
ways loved them. There was no dis
loyalty in the thought; it was the
lads nature to give and crave affec-
tion. ONLY was different. l had
never really cared about a girl be-
fore, and my life had been singularly
toveless. l had fought a lonely bat
tie always. Once before, in college,
we had both laid ourselves and our
caliow devotions at the feet of the
came girl. Her name was Dorothy
I had forgotten the rest-but l re-
ynembered the sequel. In a spirit of
quixotic youth l had relinquished my
claim in favor of Richey and had
gone cheerfully on my way, elevated
by my heroic sacrifice to a somber,
white-hot martyrdOm. AS is often the
case, Meningitis first words showed
our parallel lines of thought.
Il say, Lollie," he asked, do you re-
m&pber Dorothy Browne? Browne!
That was it,"
dorothy Browne?" l repeated. ooh
why yes, l recall her now. Why?"
"M1thing," he said. 81 was think
Jag About her. That's ALL You re-
mefber you were crazy about her,
anC dropped back because she pre-
feted me?"
4. Il got out" I said with dignity. "be-
cause you declared you would shoot
yourself if she didn't go with you to
something or other!"
ooh, why yes, 1 recall now!" he
mimicked. He tossed hts cigarette
in the general direction of the hearth
and got up. We were both little
conscious, and he stood with his back
to me, lingering a Japanese vase on
the mantel.
81 was thinking" he began, turning
the vase around, that, If you feel
pretty well again, and-and ready to
take hold. that I should like to go
away for week or so. Things are
fairly well cleaned up at the Office"
''Do you mean-you are going to
Richmond?" I asked, after a scarcely
perceptible pause. He turned and
saced me, with his hands thrust In
his pockets.
mo. That's off, Lollie. The
G&iberts are going for a weeks cruise
along the coast. 1.-THE hot weather
has played bob with me and the cruise
mAans seven days breeze and bridge"
lighted a cigarette and offered
him the box, but he refused. He was
looking haggard and suddenly tired.
I could not think of anything to say,
and neither could he, evidently. The
matter between us lay too deep for
speech.
"How's Candida?" he asked.
N'Martin says a month, and she Will
hrall right" | returned, in the same
tone. He picked up his hat, but he
had something more to say. He
blurted it out, finally, half way to the
door.
couple of days." he said, land IL you
wan, day or so off to go down to
Richmond yourself"
7 Perhaps l SHALL" I returned, as in
differently as I could. mot going yet,
are you?'
"Yes. It is late" He drew in his
bSeath as IL he had something more
CO. say, but the impulse passed. well.
good night" he said from the door
way.
%Good night, old man."
The next moment the outer door
slammed and I heard the engine of
the Cannonball throbbing in the
street. Then the quiet settled down
around me again, and there In the
lsmplight I dreamed dreams. l was
going to see her.
Suddenly the idea OF being shut
away, even temporarily, from so great
and wonderful world became intol-
cradle. The possibility Of arrest be-
fore l could get to Richmond was
hideous, the night without end
I made my escape the next morn
ing through the stable back OF the
house. and then, by devious dark and
winding ways, to the office. There.
after a conference with Blobs, whose
features fairly jerked with excite