Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-02-24
CHAPTER xxvI.-continued.

CHAPTER xxvI.-continued.
He drew q chair near the lamp and
lighted n cigarette, and for a time we
were silent. I was in the shadow, and
sat back and watched him. 1t was
not surprising, I thought, that she
cared for him: women had always
loved him, perhaps because he al
ways loved them. There was no dis
loyalty in the thought; 1t was the
lads nature to give and crave affec-
tion. Only-I was different. had
never really cared about a girl be-
fore, and my life had been singularly
loveless. I had fought a lonely bat
tie always. Once before, in college.
we had both laid ourselves and our
callow devotions at the feet OF the
same girl. Her name was Dorothy
had forgotten the rest-but re-
membered the sequel. In q spirit OF
quixotic youth had relinquished my
claim In favor of Richey and had
gone cheerfully on my way, elevated
by mys heroic sacrifice to a somber,
white-hot martyrdom. As is often the
case. Meningitis first words showed
our parallel lines of thought.
II say. Lollie," he asked, do you re-
member Dorothy Browne? B-r-o-w.n-e!
That was IT,"
D Dorothy Browne?" repeated. "oh
why yes. I recall her now. Why"
Nothing" he said. II was think
ing about her. That's all. You re-
member you were crazy about her.
and dropped back because she pre-
ferred me?"
81 got OUT" I said with dignity. "be-
cause you declared you would shoot
yourself II she didn't go with you to
something or other,"
"oh. why yes. I recall now!" he
mimicked. He tossed his cigarette
In the general direction Of the hearth
and got up. We were both a little
conscious. and he stood with his back
to me, lingering a japanese vase on
the mantel.
.'I was thinking" he began. turning
pretty well again. and-and ready to
take hold, that I should like to go
away for a week or SO. Things are
fairly well cleaned up at the Office"
DO you mean-you are going to
Richmond?" asked, after a scarcely
perceptible pause. He turned and
faced me. with his hands thrust In
his pockets.
mo. That's OF. Lollie. The
Seiberts are going for a weeks cruise
along the coast. 1.-THE hot weather
has played bob with me and the cruise
means 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.
yhnd neither could he. evidently. The
matter between us lay too deep for
Ypeech.
"How's Candida?" he asked.
Martin says a month, and she will
be all right" I returned. in the same
tone. He picked up his hat. but he
had something more to say. He
blurted 1t out, finally. half way to the
door.
The Seiberts are not going for a
couple OF days." he said. land II you
want a day or SO OF to 60 down to
Richmond yourself"
Perhaps I SHALL" ! returned. as in
differently as could. Not going yet.
are your"
"Yes. It is late" He drew in his
breath as II he had something more
20 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 heard the engine Of
the Cannonball throbbing in the
street. Then the quiet settled down
around me again. and there in the
tampiight I dreamed dreams. ! 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 I could get to Richmond was
hideous. the night without end.
made my escape the next morn.
ing through the stable back Of the
house. and then. by devious dark and
winding ways. to the ofice. There.
after q conference with Blobs. whose
features fairly jerked with excite