The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-04-01

1--WE, anu never ulISSllS HIS uOSt > cal
low pleaSnntrieS. was merely bearing
up as hest he might under bore
dom, and at the same time c%oncealing
the commoticn in his heart. Con was
aware of Destiny.
The wine w:s expensive If not mel
low, and the cooking was undeniably
good. having been accomplished by
Cecil's own attach@a Chinese. whose
existence seemed to begin and end in
the night-t1ying son Of the Wedgers.
Con. taller than his father, held a
likeness t. 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
cite smoke his features were a degree
drawn and pale. His voice had Il
natural sincerity. The eyes. blue-gray
and steady. seemed to hide none of the
secrets that lowered in the lines around
his mouth. The gentle excellence of
his brow and head ranked him one
with those who had been carefully
directed, well combed ut the start.
Con was a good listener. His were
well-built limbs. the shoulders almost
too massive. though he was slim
through the waist, and sometimes
ahashed at the %tinenesS of his hands.
The integrity of this only son of
two conSulnmale lovers had heen lem
percd in the roaring pits OF the world.
temptation. AS the reticence of child
hood had been rubbed away. and be-
fore a mans dignity had cOne TO him.
he had been famously ready. He had
scaled tho walls around the garden of
illusion. battered his way ioyfulIy
along its paths. and plunged into every
alluring pool. He had found its
promises worthless. and had aged in
Il dozen years. His inner prompting
had taken a false lead, but he had no
regrets. With help he had ut 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 OH the slopes was wine
to him. In the blue rush Of the sea
he tried his strength. and found it
sufficient. These were what he had
wanted all the while. But the guide
posts had all pointed the other way.
Cecil We,iger's invitation to dinner
was part of a plan. The l%oquacious
Wedger Sprnnt had no notion that he
was heing used. Nor did Con feel
guilty in the deception. for he was
stepping into a work that claimed all
his hest energies.
The Chinese servant entered like Il
living shadow bringing fresh coffee.
Cecil made his W cup into a gloria
by Drumming it with brandy. Leving-
ton smiled and waved the bottle away.
This was NOT so easy as it 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 q
chap who turns deacon and won't
drink anything at the age of twenty.
five?"
The Chinese c~Ountenance unfOlded
a few more small wrinkles near the
nose, and a light appeared in the a
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 thirsty brotherhood
Cecil considered this remarkable
humor. He was glad he had asked
Lexington to ome
The servants face was the yellow
gray of summer dust, and when thu
light Of a moment vanished from hi
eyes. they became smooth wet stones
His body was spare, a kind Of un
naturally prolonged youth in it; ant
Cecil, to publish his W magnanimit.
and good taste, had insisted that Che
Ming continue to robe in native dress
a loose blousing smock with whit
sash and narrow straight trousers
Chez Ming was secured and brushed
clean. He was NO young. had neve
been young, and possibly would neve
grow old. A power that was wire
nerved and psychic radiated from Iii
motionlcss form. The essence of sobe
cunning showed III his cO%untenance
ages Of calm iniquity had wrought I
the lore Of his soul; his was IL fac
impossible TO read, while Il well-tarne
scorn lurked in his hands. H
smoothly retired to the pantry.
81 was telling you about my littl
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil. liver
) ing to the task.
! Yes" replied his guest, "you wei
going to show me her picture"
"Pinkest little thing you ever. saw
asserted the pride Of the Wedger
Coffee won't be enough for you whe
I you sec