The Raymer enterprise., 1920-12-09

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 conceslIng
the commotion In his heart. Con was
aware Of Destiny.
The wine WIS expensive II not mel
low, and the cooking was undeniabIy
good. having been accomplished by
Cecils own attache-a Chinese. whose
existence seemed to begin and end In
the night-nylng son Of the Wedgers.
Con. taller than his father. held
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 cienr.
ette smoke his features we're degree
drawn and pale. His voice had q
natural sincerity. The eyes. bluegray
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 at 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
nbnshed at the fineness Of his hands.
The integrity OF this only son Of
two consummate lovers had been TEN.
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 had come to him,
he had been famously ready. He had
scaled the walls around the garden OF
Illusion, battered his way joyfuIly
along Its paths. and plunged into every
nllurlng pool. He had found Its
promises worthless. and had aged In
dozen years. His inner prompting
had tnken false lead, but be 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
smnll-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 Wedser's Invitation to dinner
was part Of plnn. 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 a work that claimed all
his best energies.
The Chinese servant entered like a
living shadow bringing fresh coffee.
Cecil made his own cup into gloria
by brimmlng II with brandy. Levlng-
ton smiled and waved the bottle away.
This was not so easy as II appeared.
His nOstrlls 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 a
chap who turns deacon and won't
drink anything at the age Of twenty
fiveT
The Chinese countenance unfolded
a few more small wrinkles near the
nose, and light appeared In the mar
row eyes. as Chez Ming made reply,
Doubtless wise"
deacon is hardly the word" de-
clared the young man of twenty-five.
"Deacons are thirsty brotherhood"
Cecil considered this remarkable
humor. lie was glad he had asked
Lexington to come.
The servants face was the yellow
gray Of summer dust. and when the
light Of a moment vanished from his
eyes, they became smooth wet stones.
His body was spare. kind of un-
naturally prolonged youth In It; and
Cecil, to publish his own magnanimity
and good taste, had Insisted that Chez
Ming continue to robe In native dress,
loose blouslng Smock with white
sash and narrow straight trousers.
Chez Ming was secured and brushed
clean. He was not young, had never
been young and possibly would never
grow old. A power that was wire
nerved and psychic radIated from his
motlonless form. The essence Of sober
cunning showed In his countenance;
ages Of calm inlqulty had wrought In
the lore Of his soul; his was a face
impossible to read. while well-tamed
scorn lurked In his hands. He
smoothly retired to the pantry.
II was telling you about my little
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil, liyen-
ing to the task.
YES" replied his guest, "you were
going to show me her picture"
-Pinkest little thing you ever saw"
asserted the pride Of the Wedgers.
Coffee won't be enough for you when
you see"
Cecil left tie table and hastened for