The Ordway new era., 1919-12-12

now or at any other time. Perhaps
you'll understand-thisi
And with the last words he closed
the door in Eugene's face.
Then, not moving away. he stood
just inside the door. and noted that
the misty silhouette remained upon
the frosted glass for several moments,
as If the forbidden gentleman debated
in his mind what course to pursue.
LET him ring again. George thought
grimly. "Or try the side door-or the
kitchenw
| But Eugene made no further at
tempt; the silhouette disappeared; !;
| footsteps could be heard Withdrawing
across the floor of the veranda; and
George. returning to the window in
the reception room" was rewarded
by the sight of nn automobile manu-
facturer In baffled retreat, with all
his wooing furs and fineries mocking
him. Observing the heaviness of his
| movements MS he climbed into the ton
neau, George INDUCED In sickish
throat rumble which bore distant
cousinship to mirth.
He went to the library. and. seat
ing himself beside the table whereon
he had placed the photograph of his
father. picked up book, and pretend
ed to be engaged In reading it.
Presently Isabel's buoyant step was
heard descending the stairs. She came
into the library. fur coat over her
arm. ready to put on, and two wells
round her small black hat, her right
hand engaged In buttoning the glove
upon her left; and. us the large room
contained too many pieces of heavy
furniture, and the inside shutters eI-
cluded most of the Hight of day, she
did mot ut once perceive Georges
presence. Instead, she went to the bay
window at the end of the room. which
afforded view of the street, and
glanced out expectantly; then bent
her attention upon her glove; after
that, looked out toward the street
again, and turned toward the interior
of the room.
"Why, Georgie!"
She came, leaned over from behind
him. and there was faint, exquisite
odor as from distant apple blossoms
dS onC hio5cu MS .Nutth. DthT, i
waited lunch almost an hour for you,
but you didn't comei Did you lunch
out somewhereT
"Yes." He did not look up from the
book.
did you have plenty to eatf"
"Yes."
A tinkling bell was audible. and she
moved to the doorway into the hall.
I'm going out driving, dear. Il"
She interrupted herself to address the
housemaid, who was passing through
the hall: II think it's Mr.. Morgan.
Mary. Tell him I'll be there at once"
"Yes. ma'am."
Mary returned. "'Twas a peddler,
ma'am."
Another one7" Isabel said. sur
prised. II thought you said 1t was
peddler when the bell rang a little
while ago."
"Mister George said It was, ma'am;
he went to the door," Mary informed
her, disappearing.
There seem to be a great many of
them" Isabel mused. "What did
yours want to sell. Georger
''He didn't say"
"You must have cut him of short I"
she laughed; and then. still standing
in the doorway. she noticed the big
silver frame upon the table beside
him. Gracious. Georgie!" she exclaim-
ed. "You have been investing" and
closer view, "Is it's 1t Lucyi" she
asked half timidly. half archly. But
the next instant she saw whose like
ness was thus set forth In elegIac
splendor-and she was silent, except
for long, just-audible "OhW
He neither looked up nor moved.
THAT was nice of you, George"
she said. in low voice presently. II
ought to have had 1t framed. myself.
when gave 1t to you"
He said nothing. and. standing be-
side him, she put her hand gently up
on his shoulder, then as gently with
drew 1t, and went out of the room.
But she did not go upstairs; he heard
the faint rustic of her dress In the
hall, and then the sound of her foot
steps in the reception ROOM" After
time, silence succeeded even these
slight tokens of her presence; where
upon George rose and went warily in
to the hall. taking care to make no
noise. and he obtained an oblique view
Of her through the open double doors
of the reception ROOM" She was sit
ting In the chair which he had occu-
pied SO long; and she was looking
out Of the window expectantly-a lit
| tie troubled.
He went back to the library, waited
IN interminable half hour, then re-
turned noiselessly to the same position
in the hall. where he could see her.
She was still sitting patiently by the
| window