Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-15
One Man in His lime cP?s; s2xd Everyday

rs coming FOR me. and | don't dine
nhtl eight. Stay awhile and we'll
talk she added with her cnecrful
smile. Il haven't seen you for ages
ana you look as IL you had something
to tell me"
Il have" he said. and then ne
turned from her 10 the two old men
who were talking drowsily in voices
that sounded as far OFF to stephen
az the murmuring Of bees in sum-
mer meadows He knew that 1t vas
real. that II was the life he had al
ways lived. and yet he couldn't get
rid OF the feeling that Corinua and
the two old men and the charming
surroundings we're all mart OF a play
and that IN a littlc while he snouid
go out OF the theater and step back
among the sordld ac,uaii,ics.
The General and / are having our
little chat before dinner" said Judge
| Page. sufficiently ornamental old
gentleman to have decorated any
world on any Notwithstanding and
distinguished as portrait by Sir
Thomas Lawrence. with n crown of
silvery hair aud the shining dark
eyes OF his daughter He st!ll carried
himself. for all his ironicai comment.
Ike an Ambassador Of the romantic
school. 1T IL sad day for your
hghting man. he concluded ga.ly
when the only stimulant he can get
is the conversation OF an old rogy
like me"
Your fighting man" old General
, Powerhatnn Plummcr who hadn't
Emelt powder for NOR. than half a
century. chuCEl.d as N. always uid
at the shrewd and friendly pleasant
ries OF the Judge. lie was n tocular.
tircsomc, gregsrlous soul. nabitualiy.
untidy. creased and rumplcd. who
was always thirsty. hut who. az the
Judge was accustomed TO reply when
corinna demonstrated. would divide
his last jmlrp with 81 friend" The
men had been companions from boy
hood. and were still inseparable. For
the same delusion makes strange
friendships. and the General. In spite
Of his appearance % damaged reality.
also Inhabited that enchanted fairy
ring where no fact ever entered
with the bowl Of marigoids in her
hands. coriuna cam" over 20 me tea
table and stood smiling drcamily a,
stephen The Hrclight dancing over
her made a rio, OF color. aud she
looked the image OF happiness.
though the young man knew that the
,nhemeral Illusion was created by
IN" REQ OF her gown and the bur
lshed gold Of the flowers
John Benham sen; them la me be-
| cause ! praised his speech" she said.
Wasn't II nice or h'm?"
"He always does nice things when
Que doesn't expect them" ne an
swered.
Corinna laughed rs II because
| they are nice tina; h. does them -
She inquired with n touch OF malice
or because they are not expected >"
! Il didn't mean that" There was a
shade OF confusion in Stephens
tone 'Bcnham Is my friend-my
bes, friend almost. although he is so
much older. There ISN'T man living
whom admire more"
Yes. know" replied Cor!nna;
then-was /, in innocence or In NAL
!cer-she asked swcctly: Have YOU
seen Alice Rokeby this winter"
/ For an instant stephen gazed at
her In silence. Was II possible that
she had not heard the gossip abou,
Benhhm and Mrs Rokeby? Was she
trying to mislead him by an appear
ance OF flippancy? or was there
some deeper purpose. some serious
attempt TO learn the truth beneath
her casual question?
only once or twice" ne answered
Mt last. she IS looking badly since
her divorce. Freedom has no, agreed
with her
cor!nna smiled; bu, the ,ransienr