Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-10-18

not do TO leave 1t at the hotel, neither
must he take 1t with him to the house
where he was to be a guest. There
was nothing for it but to go around by
the way of the station where 1t wOuld
have to be checked. That a IA
longer ride and more delay, but 1t must
be o
Arrived at the hotel at last. and in
the act of signing the unaccustomed
John Burnham' in the hotel registry,
there came IA call to the telephone.
With a hand that trembled from ex-
element he o the receiver. His
breath went from him as though he had
just run up five flights of stairs. Yes?
Hello! oh, Mrs. Holman. Yes! Burn-
ham. I've but just arrived. l was de-
layed. a wreck ahead of the train.
Very kind of you to invite me. I'm sure.
Yes. I'll be there In u few moments, as
soon as l an get rid of the dust of
travel. Thank you. Goodbye"
1t all sounded very commonplace to
the clerk. who was making out bills and
fretting because he could not get off to
take his girl to the theater that night.
but as Gordon hung up the receiver he
looked o furtively as If expecting
to see Il dozen detectives ready to seize
upon him. 1t was the first time he had
ever undertaken IA commission under an
assumed namea and he felt as if he We're
shouting his commission through the
streets of New York.
The young man made short work of
his toilet. Just as he was leaving the
hotel n telegram was handed him. 1t
was from his chief. INC SO worded that
1t read like a hasty call to Boston;
but. to his code enlightened eyes
1T was merely a blind to cover his exit
from the hotel and from New York, and
set any possible hunters on a wrong
scent. He marvelled at the wonderful
mind of his chief, who thought out
every detail of an important campaign,
where difficulty might arise.
Gordon had a nervous feeling ms he
again stepped into a taxfcab and ave
his order. He wondered how many
stray dogs. and newsboys with broken
legs, would attach themselves to him
on the way to dinner. Whenever the
speed slowed down, or they We're halted
by cars and autos, his heart pounded
painfully, lest something new had hap
pened, but he arrived safely and swiftly
at the station, checked his suit case.
and took another cab to the residence
of Mr.. Holman, without further Incl
dent.
and after the introductions they went
Immediately to the dining room. Cor
don took his seat with the feeling that
he a bungled everything hopelessly,
and had arrived so late that there was
no possible hope of his doing what he
nae been sent to do. For the first few
minutes his thoughts were a tumble,
and his eyes dazed with the brilliant
lights of the room. He could not single
out the faces of the people present and
differentiate them n from another. His
heart beat painfully against the stiff
eXpanse of evening linen 1t almost
seemed as If those near him could hear
"a liz PO,,rl 1j.-.I -
stammering when he was addressed as
Mr.. Burnham." His thoughts were
mingled with white dogs, newsboys,
and ladies with scornful smiles.
He was seated on the right Of his
hostess, n gradually her gentle man
ners gave him quietness. He began to
gain control of himself, and now he
seemed to see affair the keen eye of his
chief watching the testing of his new
commissioner His heart swelled to
meet the demand made upon him. A
strong purpoSe came to him to rise
above all obstacles and conquer in spite
of circumstances. He must forget
everything else and rise to the oG.
casion.
From that moment the dancing lights
that multiplied themselves in the gilt
tering silver and cut glass of the table
began to settle into ORDER; and slowly,
one by one. the c-onglomeration Of faces
around the bOard resolved itself into
individuals.
There was the pretty, pale hostess,
whose gentle ways seemed hardly to
fit with her large, boisterous, though
polished husband. Unscrupulousn .
was written all ver his ruddy features,
also a certain unhidden craftiness
which passed for geniality among his
kind.
There were two others with faces full
ne 9th - -.--yl -
culture. One did not think Of the word
refinement" in connection with them;
still. that might be conceded also; but
1t was all dominated by the cunning
that on this occasion, at least, was al
lowed to sit unmasked upon their coun-
tenances. They had outwitted an
enem- n they were openly exultant.
or the other guests, one was very
young and sleek, with yes that had
early learned to evade: n was old and
weary looking, with a hunted express
sion; one was thick set, with little eyes
set close in a fat, selfish face. Gordon
began to understand Ia these three
but did the bidding of the others. They
listened to the conversation merely
with any personal interest. They were
there because they were needed. and
not because they were desired.
There was one bond which they
seemed to hold in m an alert
readiness to combine for their mutual
safety. This did not manifest itself in
anything tangible, but the guest felt
that it was there and ready to spring
upon him at any instant.
All this came gradually to the young
man as the meal with its pleasant for
malities began. AS yet nothing had
been said about the reason for his be-
ing there.
did you tell me you were in a
wreck ?" suddenly asked the hostess
sweetly. turning to him. and the table