Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-12-27

az work AT the problem, and her heart
vas full of nanleless anxiety.
He had gone away without any
breakfast himself. and he had had no
supper the night before. she was sure.
He probably had given to her every
thing he could get on the train. She
was haunted with regret because she
had not shared them with him. She
got up and walked about the room,
trying to shake off the horror that was
upon her. and the dread of what the
morning might bring forth. Ordinarily
she would have thought of sending a
message to her mother and brother.
but her mind was so troubled now that
it never occurred to her.
The walls Of the room were tinted a
soft Scecn!sh gray, and above the pic
ture molding they blended into a
woodsy landscape with a hint of water.
greensward. and blue sky through in
: terlacing branches. 1t reminded her
of the little village they had seen as
they started from the train in the early
morning light. What a beautiful day
they had spent together and how it
had changed her whole attitude of
ried!
Two or three fine pictures We're hung
in good lights. h studied them, and
knew that the one who had selected
and hung them was a judge of true
art: but they did not hold her atten-
ton long, for as yet she had not CON
nected the room With the man for
whom she waited.
A handsome mahogany desk stood
open in a broad space by the window.
She was attracted by a little painted
miniature of a woman. She took it
up and studied the face. 1t was fine
and sweet, with brown hair dressed
low, and eyes that reminded her of
the man who had just gone from her.
Was this, then, the home of some rela-
tive with whom ho hnI oO,,,1 IN .
for a day or two. and, if so, where was
the relative? The dress in the minia-
ture was OF a quarter Of a century
past. yet the face was young and
sweet, as young, perhaps. as herself.
She wondered who it was. She put the !
miniature back in place with caressing |
hand. She felt that she would like to
Know this woman with the lender eyes,.
She wished her here now, that she
might tell her all her anxiety.
Her eye wandered to the pile of let
tiers. some of them official looking
ones. one or two in square perfumed
envelopes with high, angular writ
ing. They were all addressed
to MIR. Cyril Gordon. That was
strange! Who was Mr.. Cyril Gordon?
With him? Was he a friend whom
George--whom they-were visiting for
a few days? 1t was all bewildering.
Then the telephone rang.
Her heart beat wildly and she looked
toward it as if it had been a human
to answer. What should she do now?
Should she answer? Or should she wait
for the man to come? Could the man
hear the telephone bell or was she per-
APPS expected to answer? And yet if
Mr.. Cyril Gordon-well, somebody
s%istently once more, n still a third
time. What if he should be calling her!
Perhaps he was in distress. This
thought sent her flying to the phone.
She took down the receiver and called:
"Hello!" and her voice sounded far
away to herself.
rs this Mr.. Gordon's apartment"
YES" she answered, for her eyes
We're resting on the pile of letters close
at hand.
is Mr.. Gordon there?"
mo, he is not" she answered, grow
ing more confident now and almost
wishing she had not presumed to an
swer a strangers phone.
Why, l just 'phoned to the office and
they told me he had returned said a
voice that had an imperious note in it.
Are YOU sure he isn't there"
Quite sure she replied.
Who is this, please?"
Il beg your pardon" said Celia try
ing to make time and knowing not how
to reply. She vas not any longer Miss
Hathaway. Who was she? Mrs. Hayne?
She shrank from the name. 1t was
filled with horror for her. Who is this,
l said," snapped the other voice now.
rs this the chambermaid? Because if
it is I'd like you to look around and
inquire and be quite sure that Mr.. Cor
don isn't there. I wish to speak with
him about something very important"
Celia smiled.
NO. this is not the chambermaid,"
she said, sweetly, and l am quite sure
Mr.. Gordon is not here"
How long before he will be there?"
Il don't know really, for l have but I
just come myself" |
Who is this to whom I am talking"
"Why-just a friend" she answered,
wondering IL that were the best thing
obi" there was a long contemplative
pause at the otler end.
We'll. could you give Mr.. Gordon a
message when he m in?"
Why certainly, I think so. Who is
this?'
Miss Bentley. Julia Bentley. He'll
know" replied the imperious one. eager
~ now And tell him please that he
Is expected here to dinner tonight. We
need him to complete the number. and
he simply mustn't fail me. I'll excuse
him for going off in such a rush IL he
comes early and tells me all about it.
NOW you won't forget, will you? You
got the name. Bentley, did you?
IL, p. N, 7. L. E. Y, you know. And
you'll tell him the minute he comes
in?"
Yes"
Thank you! What cid you say your
name WaS?"
But Celia had hung up. Somehow
the message annoyed her. she could
not tell why. She wished she had not
Cyril Gordon was what should she do
IL he should suddenly appear? And asl