Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-01-29

absolutely content, T0Sr0LloSS OF the
morning hours he had wasted. Truth
to tell, he hadn't enjoyed sleep so
thoroughly in weeks He set to work,
Kidding the room Of its clutter Of
books and clothes and what-nots.
Might as well get the bulk of his pack
ing out Of the way while he thought
of it.
Why had he been in such a dreadful
hurry to pull out? Cairo was just now
the most delightful place he knew of.
To leave behind the blue skies and
warm sunshine, and to face instead
the biting winds and northern SHOWS,
rather dispirited him. He paused,
pair of trousers dangling from his
hand. Pshaw! Why not admit it
frankly and honestly? Wherever For
tune Chedsoye was or might be, there
was the delectable country. He
hadn't thought to ask her when she
was to leave, nor whittier she was to
go. The abruptness with which she
had left him the night before puzzled
rather than. disturbed him. Oh, well;
this old planet was neither so deep
nor SO round as it had once been.
What with steamships and railroads,
the so-called four ends were drawn
closely together. He would ask her
casually, as if it did not particularly
matter. In Naples it would be an easy
matter to change his booking to New
York. From Naples to Mentone was
only a question Of few hours.
81 doesn't seem possible, George,
old boy, does it? But it's true; and
there's no use trying to fool yourself
that it isn't. Fortune Chedsoye; it
will be shame to add Jones to it;
but I'm going to try"
He pressed down the last book, the
last collar, the last pair of shoes, and
sat upon the lid Of the trunk. He
growled a little. The lock was always
bOthering him. It was wonderful how
many things a chap could take out of
trunk and how plagued few he could
put back. 1t did not seem to relieve
the pressure If he added a steamer.
trunk here or a suitcase there; there
was always just so much there wasn't
any room for. Truly, it needed a wom-
ans hand to pack trunk. However
his mother in the old school-days had
got all his belongings into one trunk
was still an unsolved mystery.
Stubborn as the lock was, persever-
ance overcame it. George then, as
slight diversion, spread the ancient
Yhiordes over the trunk and stared at
it in pleasurable contemplation. What
Ia IL.
what soft red, what minute patterns!
And this treasure was his. He leaned
down upon it with his two hands A
color stole into his cheeks. 1t had it's
source in an old confusion; school
boys jeering a mate seen walking
home from school with girl. 1t was
all rot, he perfectly knew, this wish
ing business; and yet he flung into the
sun-warmed, sun-gilded space an ar
dent wish, sent it speeding round the
world from east to west Fast as heat,
fast as light it travelled, for no sooner
had it sprung from his mind than it
entered the window of a room across
the corridor. Whether the window was
open or shut was of no Importance
went through all obstacles. And this
one touched Fortunes eyes, her hair,
her lips; it caressed her in a thousand
happy ways. But, alasi such wishes
are without temporal power.
Fortune never knew. She sat in
chair, her fingers locked tensely, her
eyes large and set in gaze, her lips
I,
impotent despair.
George did not see her at lunch, and
consequently did not enjoy the hour
Was she i'll? Had she gone away?
Would she return before he started?
He greeted the Major as one greets a
long-lost friend; and by gradations
George considered clever indeed,
brought the conversation down to For
tune. No, the Major did not know
where she was. She had gone early
to the baZaars. Doubtless she was
lunching alone somewhere. She had
| the trick of losing herself at times
Mrs. Chedsoye was visiting friends at
| Shepherds. When did Mr.. Jones
leave for America? What! on the NOR
row? The Major shook his head re-
gretfully. There was no place like
Cairo for Christmas.
George called a carriage, drove
about the principal streets and shop
ping districts, and used his eyes dill
gently; but it was loves LABOR lost.
Not even when he returned at tea-time
/ did he see her. Why hadn't he known
and got up? He could have shown her
the bazaars; and there wasn't drago-
man in Cairo more familiar with them
! than he. A wasted day, totally wasted.
He hung about the lounging-room till
it was time to go up and dress for
dinner. Tonight Gas if the gods had
turned Georges future affairs over to
the care of Momus) he dressed as if
he were going to the opera; swallow
! tail, white vest, high collar and white
lawn cravat, opera-Fedora, and thin
! soled pumps; all those habiliments