The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-04-06

"Will you wait here. please7" she
asked.
He sat down, and she left him
when her footsteps had died away, and
ne could hear no other sounds eXcept
the occasional soft tread of some
servant. he twisted himself about In
his chair and locked around. Who
were these Sherrills? Who was Cor
vet, srd what was his relation TO the
Sherrfils? What. beyond all, wag theI,
and Corvat's relation to Alan Conrsd--
70 himself2 The shock and confusion
ne had felt at the nature Of his lrecep-
tion in Corvet's house, and the strange
ness Of his transition from his little
Kansas town to q place and people
such as this. had prevented him from
inquiring directly from Constance
Sheriff. as to that; and. on her part,
she had assumed, plainly, that he
already knew and need not be told.
He Strengthened and looked about,
then got up, as Constance Sheriff.
came back into the room.
Father Is not here just now" she
said. I'VE weren't sure from your
telegram exactly at what hour you
would arrive, and that was why I
waited at Mr.. Corvets to be sure we
wouldn't miss you. have telephoned
father, and he's coming home mt once"
She hesitated an instant In the door
way, then turned to go out again.
Miss Sheriff." he said.
She halted. "Yes."
NYn,, fnll
for me to come and explain my con-
nection with Mr.. Corvet. Well
can't do that; that Is what l came
here hoping to find out"
She came back toward him slowly.
What do you mean7' she asked.
He fought down and controlled
resolutely the excitement in his voice,
as he told her rapidly the little he
knew about himself.
lie could not tell definitely how she
was affected by what he said. She
flushed slightly, following her frst
start of surprise after he had begun
to speak; when he had finished, he
saw that she was little pale. -
Then you don't know anything
about Mr.. Corvet at ALL" she said.
mo; until 1 got his letter sending
his name"
She was thoughtful for a moment.
"Thank you for telling me-" she said.
"Fll tell my father when he comes"
Your father is-7" he ventured.
She understood now that the name
or Sheriff. had meant nothing TO him.
Father is Mr.. COrvet's closest friend,
and his business partner as WELL" she
explained.
He thought she was going to tell
him something more about them; but
she seemed to decide to leave that for
her father to do. She crossed to the
big chair beside the CRATE and seated
herself. AS she sat looking ut him,
hands c!asned beneath her chin, and
her elbows resting on the arm of the
chair, there was speculation and in
terest In her gaze; but she did not
ask him anything more about himself.
She, he saw, was listening, like him
self, for the sound OF Sherrill's ar
rival at the house; and when 1t came
she recognized it first. rose, and OK
cused herself. He heard her voice in
the hall, then her fathers deeper voice
which answered; and ten minutes
later. he looked up to see the man
these things had told him must be
Sheriff. standing In the door and look
ing at him.
Alan had arisen at sight Of him !;
Sheriff., AS he came in. mOtioned him
back to his seat; he did not sit down
himself, but crossed to the mantel and
leaned against 1t.
II am Lawrence Sheriff." he said
AS the tall, graceful, thoughtful
man stood looking down at him, Alan
could tell nothing of the attitude Of
this friend of Benjamin Corvet to-
ward himself. His manner had the
same reserve toward Alan the same
questioning consideration Of him, that
Constance Sheriff. had had after Alan
had told her about himself.
"My daughter has repeated to me
what you told her, Mr.. Conrad"
Sheriff. observed. "Is there anything
you want to add to me regarding
that?"
There's nothing can add" Alan
answered. ~ told her all that l know
about myself"
And about Mr.. CoryetT
~ know nothing at all about Mr..
Corvet."
81 am going to tell you some things
about Mr.. COrvet," Sheriff. said. II
had reasOn-I do not want to explain
Just yet what that reason was-fOr
thinking you could tell us certain
things about Mr.. Corvet, which would,
perhaps, make palmer what has hap
pened to him. When tell you about
him now, 1t Is in the hope that. in
that way. may awake some forgotten
memory Of him I'm you; II not that,
you may discover some coincidence of
dates or events In Cervet's life with
dates or events In your own. VIII you
tell me frankly. II you do discover any.
thing like thatf"
"Yes; certainly"
For several moments, Sheriff. paced
up and down before the fire; then he
returned to his pIace before the