Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-05-05
Blount said nothing Nevertheless

panlon coiGlN IN tue eyes.
Not In the slightest degree. Dick.
VIII you take that for your answer
now and remember it hereafterT'
Sure" laughed the railroad man.
81 didn't know 1t was sore spot with
! you
He found Il match and reliShted his
cigar When he began again he was
still thinking Of the apron string"
clause Ia the senator's telegram.
Il can't understand how any man
with western blood IN his veins could
ever be content to marry and settle
down In this overcivilized neck Of
woods" he said.
Cant YOU" Blount smiled. with
large lenience.
NO. | can't" asserted the western
er, adding: 'Of course | don't know
the eastern young woman. She may
be oil that is lovely and enticing"-
she Is" declared Blount. with the
air OF one who had lived long enough
to know
You say that as IL you'd been TAX
ing n few lessons" Gantry laughed.
Then. with the friendly impudence
which only college comradeship could
excuse. as she hero tonight?'
NO"
TELL me about her," Gantry begged.
Il don't often read lorc story. but 1
like TO hear EN-"
There Isn't much to tell. Dick" said
Blount I've known her for Il year,
and I've loved her from the first day.
That is chapter /. and chapter 2 ends
the story with one small word. She
| says No."
THE dickens she doesr' said Gan
| try In hearty sympathy. Tough. isn't
1t, old man? What's the obstacfe!"
1T is Miss Anners' career. She has
been studying Mt home and abroad in
preparation for social settlement work
in the large cities OF course I knew
about 1t. But thought hoped
you hoped 1t was only a young wo-
mans fad, which 1t probably is" Gan
try cut in.
yves. I'm afraid that was just
what did hope. Dick. But couldn't
talk against it. Confound 1t all. you
can't go about smashing ideals for the
people you love bestr"
1t was quite late when Gantry. plead
ing WEAKNESS on the score Of his hard
weeks work at the railroad meeting.
went to bed.
In the long talk with Gantry Blount
had learned many things about the po-
litical situation In his native state
things which were enlightening, II not
particularly encouraging.
Oddly enough. be had not recognized
in Gantry n skillful special pleader for
the railroad interests: hence he was
preparing to go to the new field with
| rather strong prepossessiOn in favor
Of the defendant corporation. Gantry
had intimated pretty broadly that there
was room for an assistant corporation
counsel for the railroad, with head
quarters In the capital Of his native
state. Rlount saw at once that the re-
quirerlents would Ike political rather
than legal and in his minds eye he
PAW himself standing firmly as the de-
fender of legitimate business rights In
| region where popular prejudice was
capable Of rising to anarchistic heights.
The picture rather pleased him. He
would not have been true descendant
Of the fighting Blounts of Tennessee II
the prospect Of a conflict had been
other than Inspiring.
1t was after tho ashes had been
Knocked from the bedtime pipe that
Blount left his chair and the secluded
corner Of the veranda to 20 and wan.
der among the parked automobiles on
the lawn.
Blount had just awakened a sleepy
chauffeur to ask him to uncover the
engine Of a new Italian car when q
stir at the veranda entrance told him
that at least a few Of the dancing
guests were leaving early.
He drew back when the little group
on the veranda came down the steps,
preceded by club footman, who was
calling the number Of the car. And It
was not until he was turning away
that he found himself face to face with
| very beautiful and very clear eyed
young woman who was buttoning an
automobile dust coat up under her chin.
Patricia" he burst out. For PHYS
sake. you don't mean to tell me that
you have been here all the evening"
Her quiet smile gave the impression
not quite Of frigidity perhaps. but of
that quality Of serene self possession
which strangers sometimes mistook for
coldness.
"Why shouldn't I be here?" she
asked. Didn't you know that the
Cranfords. the people who are enter
tanning, were old friends of ours?"
Blount shook his head. NO, l didn't
know 1t. and because l didn't l have
lost an entire evening. 1t was cruel
Of you to deny me this last evening.
Patricia"
"'This last EVENING"" she echoed.
"Why .lastY"
Because l am leaving Boston and
New England Monday. 1t is the only
thing to do"
l am S0rty you are taking It this
way, Evan" she deprecated in the Sis
terly tone that always made him hot
~ resentful. ut hurts my sense of
proportion"
sometimes think you haven't any
sense Of proportion. Patricia" be said
half morosely. III you have am sure
It Is dreadfully distorted"
A white haired old gentleman In the
tonneau was calling impatiently to Pa
tricia to come and take her place 20
that he might close the door.
1T is you who have the distorted
perspective. Evan" she countered.
Where are you goingr
Il am going west day after tomor-
row."
How oddr' she said. I'VE are 20
ing west, too-papa and I-though not
quite 30 soon as Monday"
you are3" he queried. where
abOuts in the Westf'