Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-02-07
CHAPTER XIII.

the kissing of the green logs that
burned ON the open hearth. and for
Ne slow movements Of Jennings as he
0eared the table. Straight and grim
- his chair, with the newspaper by
he ode. Stephen Strangewey sat
smoking stolidly. Opposite to him. al
most - grim. equally silent, sat John.
! Things were quiet at Market Ket-
ton today, then, JohnT Stephen asked
q last.
There was nothing doing" was the
brief reply.
That. for the space of a quarter Of
- hour or 20, was the sole attempt at
Sna%ersat1on between the two broth
~. Then Jennings appeared with a
tSeanter Of wine and two glasses,
! fAich he rsverently filed. Stephen
Nd his up to the light and looked at
critically. Johns remained by his
okts, unnoticed.
"A glass for yourself, jennings"
essphen ordered.
u thank ye kindly. SIR" the old
qan replied.
! sHe fetched q glass from the side
/ tsard, filled 1t, and held it respectfully
efers him.
sIfs the old toast" Stephen said
0lnmly. You know 1t"
aye Master Stephen !" the servant
>Nnssntsd "We've drunk it together
y many q long year. give 1t ye
0w with all my heart-confusion to
/ womsnr
They both glanced at John. who
bowed NO signs Of movement. Then
NO drank together, the older man
GAd Ids servant Still John never
4AoVed. Jennings drained his glass.
aesd the decanter by his masters
~, ana withdrew.
>. soo the poison's still there, broth
- Stephen asked.
F'SAnd will be so long as live" John
-4pnfsnssd gloomily. For all that, I'll
n drink your toast"
t'SWhy notr'
There was a little giri-you saw
~ when you were In London. She is
AET1ed now. but think of her some
n0; and when / do, you and old
9Alngs seemsto me like couple Of
Btherfng idiots cursing things too
kondsrful for You to understand |"
stephen made no protest. For
- b smoked in silence. Curiously
AA0oSh, a. they sat together, some of
- grim nerceness seemed to have
RaBsd from his expression and settled
pun John. More than once, as he
eked across at his younger brother,
Almost seemed az II there was some
~ Of self-reproach in his question
~ look
Nou dinsd at the ordinary in Mar
~ Etttonf" Stephen asked at last.
ia"
A0 you heard the newsr
WAo could help 1T" John muttered
W~ wasn't much else talked
0ner
8AtAn Henderson has been over
~" Stephen went on. There's a
eha1 army Of painters and decorators
E6m3nG down to the castle next week.
IA saw the announcement of the
0sd6n2 In the morning Post, maybe7"
John AAssnted without words. Ste
~ snokSd vigorously for few mo-
ntA Every now and then he
glanced across to where John was sit
NAe. Once again the uneasiness was
u ~ eyes. an uneasiness which was
aASst self-rcproach.
1ehn moved q little restlessly in his
dAis.
6Svs drop 1t, Stephen" he begged.
M both know the facts. She Is 60
~ - marry him, and that's the end
80 IN your glass up again. Here's
: 49, untouched. III drink your toast
IN you. II you'll leave out the little
3; h who was kind to me. I'll give II
20 smyself-confusion to all wom-
Confusion to-" Stephen began.
Rhat on earth Is thatr
TAsy both heard 1t at the same time
~~shs faint beating of q motor engine
, he distance. John set down his
r lAss- There was a strange look In
~ eyes.
There are more cars passing along
- road now than In the old days.
A0obS4euS Out luhLb queer
4eQ0 II reminds one-good heavens
NV II reminds onei
new was look Of agony in his
- fUS . moment. Then once more
nised his glass to his lips.
'4th passed out of hearing" Stephen
~ "a It's someone on the way to the
11la. maybe"
q.
Met0 thslr glasses remained suspend.
n midair. The little garden gate
q opened and closed with a click
49, wrp footsteps upon the flinty
LIE someone coming heret" John
~ hoarssly. "Why can't they keep
n33 It's two years ago this week
- I brought her up the drive and
- met u At the front door, Two
6lAss aOo. Stepheni Who can 1t beT'
s ,1hsy heard the front door open
0g5 heard Jennings voice raised In
A6u1ual and indignant protest. Then
1lr own door was suddenly flung