The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-01-30

But I'm not fixed up for it." John
looked at his shoes, upon which a thin
coating of dust had settled
Haig surveyed him and ther stretch
ed out over the dashboard lean shank,
the trouser of which had not felt an
iron for many a day. you're a regu-
lar dude beside me-"
"Oh. have it your own way" John
agreed with as good grace as possible.
He could not well explain that he and
Katherine bad been in love. that he
was still in the same case though she
had probably recovered. that he had
persistently stayed away from her for
the. sake Of his peace of mind. and
Almost any excuse for yielding will
serve when one Is resisting a weakness
to which one both wishes and does not
wish to succumb.
! On the shaded eastern terrace they
found small group of young people
Of both sexes. Haig saluted them with
a triumphant hail. i've brought him!
Now. you broker man. I'll bet you $40
he can beat you. best two out of three
SETS"
Katherine rose and came forward to
meet them Gregg accompanied her.
almost with the air of host, it seem.
ed to John They greeted the new
comers cordially. Katherine with such
q notable absence of constraint that
John, who had nerved himself for an
srdeal was rather heavily let down.
He could almost have believed that she
had forgotten the ride home under the
October moon.
| 1t was undeniably pleasant to lolI
luxuriously In the comfortable wicker
chair, watching the play Of animated
young faces, from whose freshness
neither work nor worry had subtract
ed. against the background of green
sward and towering shrubbery. Occa.
sionally he tossed light word on the
eddy of conversation. He noticed that
when he spoke all, especially the men.
showed interest That, too was pleas.
ant
! Later Gregg reminded him of the
promised match, and when they had
donned fiannels it was played John
lost. although after the first set he
gave his opponent hard game. Gregg
proved generous conqueror, finding
more excuses for his lucky victory
than John could have devised. The
latter enjoyed every point, especially
when Haig, srumbling something about
thrown match" paid his bet. Aft.
erward. in the physical contentment
consequent upon hard exercise and q
good Tubing, he stayed to dinner, a
very gay, informal affair served on the
terrace by candlelight John was al.
most regretful when the time came to
leave.
Late that night, going over the day,
he found that he had talked a great
deal with Katherine, but never alone
He was leaving.
II am very glad you came" she sale
4 brightly. You will come again?'
And am glad. certainly shall"
Then it was he thought he caught
question hickering momentarily in her
eyes But the question. if there at ali
| save in his imagination, was gone be-
fore he could make sure.
He was silent during the drive home
ward. and Haig, busily humming tn,
pilgrims chorus motif, did not try t.
interrupt his thoughts.
Haigs parting shot as they separated
was, Now I've shown you the way
go up there often. You'll be brighter
and nober man for it."
John went, not often and always In
Haig's company, it is true. but often
enough to keep burning brightly the
fires within him.
If Johns love affairs remained in
statu quo those of another advanced
at least to climax. Amid the cares
of banking and trusteeships War
rem Blake found time to contribute to
the gayety Of the ridge-that is to say.
he was frequently to be found on the
Hampden terrace, an inconspicuous.
often half forgotten listener to the
nimble gossip and badinage. Had ne
been more obtrusive 1t is probable tnat
he would have been snubbed into stay
ing away. But one does not greatly
resent the attentions of a shadow, and
one day he proposed to Katherine and
was rejected.
why don't you marry John Dun
meadeT he asked abruptly.
She turned on him angrily. WAR
ren! That is an
AN impertinenceIr he interrupted
again evenly. you will allow me this
time. I'm not likely to bother you
much again You were In love with
him last summer And you aren't the
sort that forgets. Nor is he. | think
He will go further than any of US
he'll go better. He is what you need
With me-with Gregg-you would be
merely pleasant incident You know
that yourself. think you're fighting
against that knowledge. Don't do it."
1t was the longest speech she had ever
heard from his lips.
When they were nearing home she
turned to him again. Il didn't know
you and he were friends"
I'VE are not" he replied simply.
He doesn't care for me-"
aGaN.I