The Hayti herald. (Hayti, Mo.) 1908-1922, 1920-05-06

numerous motion-picture stars In his
golden orbit. The guest. while atten-
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 cOnceaiing
the commotiCn In his heart. Con was
aware of Destiny.
The wine WIS expensive II not mel
low. and the cooking was undeniably
good, having been accomplished by
Cecils own attache-a Chinese. whose
existence seemed to begin and end in
the night-fying 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
cite smoke his features were a degree
drawn and pale. His voice had a
natural sincerity. The eyes, blue-gray
and steady. seemed to hide none OF the
secrets that hovered 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 at the start,
Con was a good listener. His were
wel-bult limbs. the shoulders almost
too massive. though he was slim
through the waist, and sometimes
abashed at the fineneSS OF his hands.
;,,tn OF nf
two consummate lovers had been tenn
pered in the roaring pits Of the world.
| Con had never been one to wait for
temptation. AS the reticence of child
| hood had been rubbed away, and be-
| fore a mans dignity had come to him.
he had been famously ready. He had
scaled the walls around the garden of
! Illusion, battered his way joyfully
along its paths, and plunged into every
alluring pool. He had found its
promises worthless, and had aged In
a 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 n
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 the while. But the guide
posts had all pointed the other way.
Cecil Wedger's invitation to dinner
was part of plan. The loquacious
Wedger sprout had no notion that he
was being used. Nor did Con feel
guilty in the deception, for he was
stepping into work that claimed all
his best energies
The ChiRess servant entered like q
living shadow bringing fresh coffee.
Cecil made his own cup into gloria
by brmming 1t with brandy. Leving-
ton smiled and waved the bottle away
This was not 50 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
r 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
tive?"
The Chinese COuntenance unfOlde'
few more small wrinkles near tn
nose, and light appeared in the nai
row eyes. as Chez Ming made reply
"Doubtless wise"
Deacon Is hardly the word" dc
clared the young man of twenty-five
"Deacons are thirsty brotherhood.
Cecil considered this remarkabl
humor. He was glad he had aske
Lexington to come.
The servants face was the yellow
Z gray OF summer dust, and when IN
light of moment vanished from hi
eyes, they became smooth wet stone
His body was spare, a kind of III
naturally prolonged youth in it; an
Il Cecil, TO pueish his own magnanimit
and good taste, had insisted that Che
Ming continue TO robe in native dreS
loose blOusing smOCk with viii
Tx sash and narrow straight trOuser
III Chez Ming was secured and brusht
N clean. He was not young. had new,
N been young, and possibly would new
" grow old. A power that was wir
y nerved and psychic radiated from h
NJ motionless form. The essence Of sob
W. cunning showed in his countenanc
Nh ages of calm iniquity had wrought
VI the lore of his soul; his was ia
impossible to read, while a well-tam
scorn lurked in his hands
mis- smoothly retired TO the pantry.
~ was telling you about my lit
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil. live
lss ing to the task.
OF YES" replied his guest, "yOu We
re going to show me her picture"
"Pinkest little thing you ever saw
IAN asserted the pride of the Wedge
a Coffee won't be enough for you VIII