Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1920-04-14
Hoiworthy Hall
Copyright by DOed, Mead 4 Company, Inc

He was anywhere from twenty-five
TO forty, this American from the dis
tant trenches, and his age was as hard
TO guess as a clever woman's; there
was something about him peculiar TO
youth, and yet when his face was in
repose, he might easily have claimed
two score Of years and gone undis-
puted. II was q face which suggested
both the fire OF immaturity and the
drain of experience; there was breath
taking gravity about II, n hint OF the
dignity of marble, Of aEeless perma-
hence. II was a slightly thin face,
Scared by n heavy line or two, and
indelibly stamped with the evidence
OF intense thought and inward suffer
Ing: but 1t lacked the hollOws which,
at the first glance, should have sup
ported the evidence. II was a thin and
oval face, with a mouth Of large and
sympathetic sweetness. a forehead
white and high, n prominent, delicate
nose, and irises Of clear, luminous
gray. 1t wasn't altogether an Anglo
Saxon type of countcnancc. nor was
it definitely European; it seemed
rather to have taken all the better
qualities from several races. 1t was
a face to inspire immediate trust and
confidence and respect, and Harmon,
despite his lack OF practice In all three
OF these reactions, was evidently at
tracted by it.
"Vichy-Celestins for me-" said the
Old-yOung man indifferently.
"I1l | guess I'll have vichy
too" said Harmon; relaxing. "If It
wasn't for something | can't just de-
scribe I'd say . well, never
mind. Err what business have
you been in, by the way?"
The younger mans reply was tardy
and not particularly gracious.
"Why. the longest time ever PIT
In Mt any one business was selling III
surance. The last thing I did was to
sell bonds. Why"
Harmon stiffcncd. "A salesman !
Good Lord! That's the last thing in
the world I'd have but, say!
You must have been a whirlwind
Why. n man with n presence like yours
would hardly have to open his mouth
You've got n sort of . I'll be
hanged If | know what to- call 1t +.
but a kind of feeling. il you know
what | mean. Salesman! Why, all
you need is an Introduction and q dot
ted line !"
The young man laughed rather for,
l0rniy and slipped his vichy.
"Just at present haven't either"
Harmon's gaze was unfaltering, and
his interest and admiration bounded
higher. Mechanically, in accordance
with his habits, he was striving to dis
owe how this new acquaintance
might he put to practical use. "Was
] right, or was l wrong? Playing In
hard luck don't strengthen a mans
courage much, even if he tries to bluff
himself into thinking it does. Cut out
the regret stuff that's my advice, and
you can take it or leave it. Forget
all that tough luck You had over here,
and get busy figuring out how you're
going to cash in OH all your expert
ence. Americas full of chances
you'll land something big in no time.
Can't help it If you try, Salesman
Son, you're carrying your best recon-
mendation right ON top Of your own
shoulders"
The young man gave him back a wry
smile and finished his vichy.
II only hope it m true" he said
Harmon looked ut him steadily, and
falling under the spell of those radiant
features stared and stared until he
came to himself and all at once
brought his fist down on the table, sc
that the glasses rang again.
"Well, why shouldn't it? AS n mat
ter of fact, why shDuldn't IT."
The younger mans expression hadn't
changed. Meaning what?'
"Meaning," said Harmon deliberate
,Iy, chat the first thing I've got to dc
LlItb ~.