Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-11-26
By JEREMY LANE

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 Mt the same time concealing
the commotion In his heart. Con was
aware Of Destiny.
The wine WIS expensive II not mel
low. and the cooking was undeniably
Cecil's own attache-a Chinese, whose
existence seemed to begin and end In
the night-fiying 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 cigar
ette smoke his features were degree
drawn and pale. His voice had
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 good listener. His were
well-built 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 tenn
pered In the roaring pits of the world.
Con had never been one to wait for
temptation. As the retlcence of child
hood had been rubbed away, and be
fore 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
n dozen years. His inner prompting
had taken n 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
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 1t
wanted all the while. But the guide
posts had all pointed the other way.
Cecil Wedger's invitation to dinner
was part of n 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 a work that claimed all
his best energies.
The Chinese servant entered like
living shadow bringing fresh coffee.
Cecil made his own cup into gloria
by brimming 1t with brandy. Leving-
ton smiled and waved the bottle away.
This was not so easy as 1t 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 a
chap who turns deacon and won't
drink anything at the age Of twenty
fiver
The Chinese countenance unfolded
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. He was glad he had asked
Lexington to come.
The servants face was the yellow
gray Of summer dust. and when the
light Of moment vanished from his
eyes. they became smooth wet stones.
His body was spare, kind of un-
naturally prolonged youth In 1t; and
Cecil, to publish his own magnanimity
and good taste, had insisted that Chez
Ming continue to robe in native dress,
a loose blousing 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
motionless form. The essence Of sober
cunning showed in his countenance;
ages of calm iniquity had wrought in
the lore of his soul; his was face
impossible to read. while a well-tamed
scorn lurked In his hands. He
smoothly retired to the pantry.
81 was telling you about my little
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil, liven-
ing to the task.
Yes" replied his guest, you were
going to show me her picture"