The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-11-04

|
tive. and never missing his hosts cal
low pleasantries, was merely bearing
up as best he might under bore
dom, and at the same time concealing
the commotion In his heart. Con was
aware of Destiny.
The wine YVES expensive II not mel
low. and the cooking was undeniably
good, having been accomplished by
Cecil's own attache-a Chinese, whose
existence seemed to begin and end in |
the nighthying son OF the wedgers.
Con. taller than his father, held a |
likeness to John Lexington only about |
the eyes and temples, something grave |
and tense, that disappeared when he
laughed. He tried not to show the
strain that this hour held for him. al
though In the luminous haze of cigar
ette smoke his features were a degree
. drawn and pale. His voice had q
natural sincerity. The eyes, blue-gray
and steady, seemed to hide none Of the
secrets that lowered in the l.ues around
his mouth. The gentle excellence OF
his brow and head ranked him one
with those who had been carefully
directed, well combed at the start.
Con was good listener. His were
well-bult limbs, the shoulders almost
too massive. though he was slim
through the waist, and sometimes
abashed at the fineness Of his hands.
The integrity of this only son OF
two consummate lovers had been rem
| pered In the roaring pits of the world.
| Con had never been one TO walt for
! temptation. AS the reticence of child
hood had been rubbed away and be-
fore a mans dignity Fad come to him,
! he had been famously ready. He had
scaled the walls around the garden of
illusion, battered his way joyfuly-
along its paths, and plunged into every
| alluring pool. He had found its
dozen years. His inner prompting
had taken false lead, but he had no
regrets. With help he had at length
found his way out into the clean and
cooling winds Of humanity. He had
discovered again the treasures Of a
small-town boyhood, the satisfaction
OF open fields, the sun In his eyes.
Morning air on the slopes was wine
to him. In the blue rush of the sea
he tried his strength, and found II
sufficient. These were what he had
wanted all tie while. But the guide
posts had all pointed the other way.
Cecil Nedger's invitation to dinner
4 .,f t.la h.. oin nc
wedger sprout had no notion that he
was being used Nor did Con feel
guilty In the deception. for he was
stepping into a work that claimed all
his best energies.
The Chinese servant entered like n
living shadow bringing fresh coffee
Cecil made his own cup into gloria
by brimming 1t with brandy. Leying
ton smiled and waved the bottle away
This was not so easy as II appeared
His nostrils twitched at the fragrance
from his hosts cup. Perhaps the
, Chinese understood, for he nodded
gravely. Now Cecil. TO show his
: democratic spirit, spoke to the servant
, very nearly as one man might address
another:
"Chee Ming. what do you think OF {
chap who turns deacon and won
drink anything at the age OF twenty
fiveT
The Chinese countenance unfolde'
few more small wrinkles near tn
nose, and light appeared in the nar
row eyes, as Chez Ming made reply
Doubtless wise"
Deacon is hardly the word" de
clared the young man of twenty-five
'Deacons are a~thlrsty brotherhood.
III Cecil considered this remarkabl
humor. He was glad he had aske
Lexington to come.
The servants face was the yellow
gray Of summer dust. and when tn
light Of moment vanished from'Shi
eyes, they became smooth wet stones
His body vas spare, kind of NJ
naturally prolonged youth in II; an
Cecil. TO publish his own magnanimlt
and good taste, had insisted that Che
Ming continue to robe In native dres
loose blousing smock with whit
SuSH uhh htffoW sttuiBht 'iouSti
Ohee Ming was secured and brushe
clean. He was not young. had nevt
been young, and possibly would nevt
grow old. A power that was wir,
nerved and psychic radiated from h
! jmotionless form. The essence OF sobs
/ cunning showed In his countenancs
ages OF calm iniquity had wrought
the lore of his soul; his was fac
impossible to read. while weIl-tame
scorn lurked In his hands. II
s smoothly retired to the pantry.
81 was telling you about my lltt
friend. wasn't II" resumed Cecil, live
= ing TO the task.
IL "Yes," replied his guest, you WEI
going to show me her picture"
"Pinkest little thing you ever saw
n asserted the pride Of the Wedger