The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-10

a triumphant hail. i've brought MIN
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
almost with the air of host, 1t seem.
ed to John They greeted the new
comers cordially, Katherine with such
a notable absence Of constraint that
John, who had nerved himself for an
ordeal, 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 loll
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
lonned 1anuels it was played. John
lost, although after the first set he
gave his opponent a hard game. Gregg
proved a generous conqueror, finding
more excuses for his lucky victory
than John could have devised. The
latter enjoyed every point, especially
when Haig. grumbling something about
thrown match" paid his bet. Aft
erward, in the physical contentment
consequent upon hard exercise and a
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 great
deal with Katherine, but never alone.
He was leaving.
81 am very glad you came" she said
brightly. "You will come again?"
"And 1 am glad. 1 certainly shall"
Then it was he thought he caught q
question Pickering momentarily in her
eyes. But the question, if there at all
save in his imagination, was gone be-
fore he could make sure.
He was silent during the drive home
ward, and Haig, busily humming the
pilgrims chorus motif, did not try to
interrupt his thoughts.
| Haigs parting shot as they separated
was, Now I've shown you the way
go up there often. You'll be a brighter
and nobler man for it."
John went, not often and always in
Haig's company, 1t 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 a climax. Amid the cares
of banking and trusteeships War
ren 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
nimbIe gossip and badinage. Had he
been more Obtrusive it is probable that
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.
meadeW he asked abruptly.
She turned on him angrily. "War
ren! That is an
"An impertinence," he interrupted
again evenly. "You will allow me this
time. I'm not likely to bother you
him last summer. And you aren't the
sort that forgets. Nor is he, l 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. I 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. 81 didn't know
you and he were friends"
1--WE are not" he replied simply
"He doesn't care for me-"
"You are mistaken about him ant
me-" she said steadily. "But that yor
eould plead for him when you Oh
| call that fine, Warren!" she ended
Impulsively.
'I'm thinking Of you," he said
Since I can't have what I want
want you to have what you need"
When he left for more than an houl
she sat, chin cupped IN one hand, gaz
ng out over the green hills. Once
It's just a Jumble," she sighed
What I want. I wish I weren't So
| wish he"- She did not indicat,