New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-10-19

May Enser Is going on In my place. w
arranged 1t a week ago. l had tw'
fines to pay on Saturday, and l haven
had n decent meal this week. But
had forgotten" she broke of, with
sudden note Of disappointment In he
tone. "There's your brother. I musn'
take you away from him."
well all have dinner together.
John suggested. you'll come, Q
course, Stephen"
Stephen shook his head.
THANK yOu," he said. II am due a
my hotel. I'm going back to Cumber
land tomorrow morning, and my errant
is already DONE"
you will do nothing OF the sort 7
John declared.
"Please be amiable," Sophy begged
III you won't come with us. l shall
simply run away and leave you will
John. You needn't look ut YOU
clothes" she went on. ave can go t.
n grillrOom. John sha'n't dress. either
! want you to tell me all about Cum
bcrland. where this brother of yours
lives. He doesn't tell us half enough !
John passed his arm through his
brothers and led him away.
"Comc and have a wash, old chap
he said.
They dined together at Luigl's, a
curiously assorted Philosophy, be
tween the two men. supplying a dis
tinctly alien note. She was always
gay, always amusing, but although she
addressed most of her remarks to
Stephen. he never nee unbent. He ate
and drank simply, seldom speaking of
himself or his plans, and firmly mega
living all their suggestions for the re-
mainder Of the evening. Occasionally
he glanced Mt the clock. John became
conscious Of n certain feeling OF curl
osity, which in a sense Sophy shared.
"YOur brother seems to me like a
man with n purpose" she said, as they
stood in the entrance hall on their way
out of the restaurant. Like a prophet
with n mission, perhaps I should say"
John nodded. In the little passage
where they stood. he and Stephen
seemed to dwarf the passers-by. The
men, In their evening clothes and pallid
faces, seemed suddenly insignificant,
and the women like dolls.
"For the last time, Stephen" John
said, won't you come to a music hall
with us?"
~ have made my plans for the eve
ming, thank you" Stephen replied.
holding out his hand. Good night"
He left them standing there and
walked off down the Strand. John, look
ing after him, frowned. He vas con-
scious of a certain foreboding.
81 suppose" Sophy sighed, as they
waited for n taxicab, 1--WE shall spend
the remainder of the evening In the
usual fashion !"
"DO you mind?" John asked.
NO" she assented r~esignedly. THAT
play will end by making a driving
idiot of me. If Louise Is tired tonight,
though, l warn you that I shall insist
upon supper"
ITS n bargain" John promised.
Wen drive Louise home, and then I'll
you back to Lulgi's. We haven't
been out together for some time, have
She looked up at him with a little
yrimace and patted his hand.
"YOu have neglected me-" she said.
4 think all these fine ladies' have
.urned your head"
She drew a little closer to him and
passed her arm through his. John
made no responsive movement. He was |
illed with resentment at the sensation
# pleasure that her affectionate ges-
ure gave him.
The curtain was up and the play In
progress when they reached the box
hat John had taken for the season.
The spell of it all, against which he
lad so often fought. came over John
new. He set his chair back against
he wall and watched and listened, a
irritable sense Of hypnotism creeping
ver his senses. Presently the same
which had come to him 80
many times before induced him to turn
is head, to read in the faces of the au-
ience the reflection Of her genius. He
nd often watched those long lines Of
aces changing, each in Its own way.
nder the magic Of her art. Tonight
e looked beyond. He knew very well
hat his search had n special object.
uddenly he gripped the arms Of his
In the front row of the pit, sit
ng head and shoulders taller than the
en- and women who lounged over the
rest In front Of them. was
tephen. More than ever among these
Inappropriate surroundings. he seemed
/, represent something almost patri.
rchal, n forhiddlng and disappearing
brit sitting N judgment upon some
Iodern and unworthy wantonness. His
ice, stern and grave, showed little
gn Of approval or disapprOval. but to
)hn's a~pprehendlng eyes the critical
'nse was there. the verdict fore
,omed. He understood as in a flash
Stephen had come there to Judge
more the oma whom his BROTH
desired.
The curtain went up again and the
ay moved IN, with subtle yet inevita.
e dramatic power, toward the hated |
I'd dreaded crisis. |
The play came to an end presently,
mid a storm Of applause. The grim
in the front of the pit remained /
otionless and silent. He was one of
last to leave. and John watched his
treating figure with a sigh. Sophy |
him away. |
I'VE had better hurry round" she |
i'd. Louise is always very quick get
lg ready"