The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-06-03
DAY OF
DAYS
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
Copyright, 1917. by the Frank A. Munsey Co.


his thoughts of that enthrallment. to
descend to cold and sober reality. to
remember he was n clerk. his compan-
ion shopgirl, rather than a prince
disguised as Calander esquiring prin-
cess dedicated to fatal enchantment-
that "KiSmet' was a quaint fallacy.
one with that whimsical cOnceit of orr
ent fatalism which assigns to each
and every man his day of days. where
in he shall range the skies and plumb
the abyss of his destiny alternately
lord and puppet.
But presently, with an effort, blink
ing. he pulled his wits together, and, a
traffic policeman creating favorable
opening. the two scurried across and
plunged into the comparative OBSCURE
ty Of West Thirty street, sturdy
George and his modest Violet already
a full block in advance.
IF we hurry we might catch up.
suggested Molly Leasing.
Il don't miss EN- much" he admit
ted. without Offering to mend the pace.
She laughed softly.
Are they really in lover"
George is. replied T. Sybarite, aft
er taking thought
You mean she iSn't?
'"To blush unseen is Violet's idea Of
nothing to do-not, at least, when one
is "A perfect thirty eight and possesses
Il good digestion and an infinite capac-
ity for amusement Ia carte"
That is to say the girl prompted.
Violet will marry well if at all"
Not Mr. Bross, them
Nor any other poor man. l don't
say she doesn't care for George, but
before anything serious comes Of it
he'll have to make good use of his day
Of days-if 'Kismet' ever sends him
one l hope it will" P. Sybarite add
ed sincerely.
You don't believe-really"-
Just now? With all my heart! I'm
so full of romantic nonsense l can
hardly think"
Again the girl laughed quietly to his
humor
And since you're a true believer,
Mr. Sybarte. tell me what use you
would make of your day Of days"
Il? Oh, r. Smiling wistfully, he
opened deprecatory palms. Hard to
say. I'm afraid l should prove Il fat
uous fool in Georges esteem equally
with old Hail. I'm sure that, like
him. the sunset of my day would see
me prescribed, price upon my head"
"But-why"
I'm afraid I'd try to use my power
to right old wrongs"
After a pause she asked diftidently.
Your own"
Perhaps. Yes, my own, certainly.
And possibly another's, not 50 old, but
possibly quite as grievous"
Somebody you care for a great
deal:"
Thus tardily made to realize into
what perils his fancy was leading him,
he checked and weighed her question
with his answer, gravely judgmatical
perhaps I'd better not say that"
he announced, a grin tempering his
temerity. But I'd go far for friend
somebody who had been kind to me,
nd-ah-tOlerant-if she were in trou-
Bile and could use my services"
He fancied her glance was quick and
sharp and searching. but her voice
when she spoke was even and lightly
attuned to his whimsical mood
Then you're not even sure She
your friend-is in trouble?"
I've an intuition. She wouldn't be
where she is if she wasn't"
Her laughter at this absurdity was
delightful. Whether with or at him
it was infectious. He echoed it with
out misgivings.
But, seriously. you're not sure. are
you, Mr.. Sybarite:"
only. Miss Lessng." he said sober
ly, of my futile, my painfully futile.
good will"
She seemed to start to speak, to
think of it, to fall silent in a sudden.
shy constraint. Compunctions smote
him. With his crude and clumsy ban
ter he had cOntrived to turn her
thoughts to sadness. He would have
given worlds to undo that blunder. to
show her that he had meant neither
rudeness nor a wish to desecrate her
reticence, but only an Indirect assur
ance Of gratitude to her for suffering
him and willingness to serve her.
He respected her silence and held his
own in humility and modification Of
spirit until they were near the door.
yard of their boarding house. And
even then it was the girl who loosed
his tongue.
why. where are they?" she asked
in surprise.
Startled out of the deeps of self con
tempt. P. Sybarite realized that she
meant Violet and George, who We're
nowhere visible.
"Violet said something about a little
supper in her room" explained the girl.
81 know" he replied. Crackers and
cheese. beer and badinage. our humble
pleasures You'll be bored to extinc.
ton. But You'll come. won't yor''