The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-03-06
Discussion of a Shadow

OiSCuSStON OF SUdOO"
Alan. as he looked cOnfuSedIy and
blankIy ut her, made no attempt to
answer the question she had asked,
or. to- explain. His silence and con-
fusion, he knew, must seem to Con-
stance Sheriff. unwillingness to an
Swer her; for she did not suspect that
he was unlble to answer her.
"You would rather explain to father
than TO me-" she decided.
He hesitated. What he wanted now
was time to think, to learn who she
was and who her father was. and to
adjust himself to this strange reversal
of his expectations.
Yes; / would rather do that" he
said.
She caught up her fur collar and
mutf from Il chair and spoke Il word
to the servant. AS she went out on
to tie porch, he followed her and
stopped to pick up his suitcase.
"Simmons will bring that" she said,
"unless you'd rather have it with you.
it is only short walk" =,
They turned in at the entrance of Il
house in the middle Of the block and
went up the low, wide stone steps {;
the door opened to them without ring
or knock a servant in the hall within
took Alan's hat and coat, and he fol-
lowed Constance past some great room
upOn his right to Il smaller one farther
down the hall.
twill you wait here, please" she
asked.
He sat down, and she left him
. when her footsteps had died away, and
he could hear no other sounds except
the occasional soft tread Of some
servant. he twisted himself about in
his chair and looked around. Who
were these Sherrills? Who was Cor
vet. and what was his relation to the
Sherrills? Whit. beyond Ill. was their
and COryet's relation to Alan CGnraa--
to himself? The shock and confusion
he had felt ct the nature Of his recep.
ton in Corvet's house, and the strange
ness of his transition from his little
Kansas town to place and people
such as this, had prevented him from
inqutrng directly from Constance
Sheriff. as to that; and, on her part
she had assumed, plainly. that he
already knew and need not be told.
Ile Strengthened and looked about,
then got up, as Constance Sheriff.
came back into the room.
Father Is not here just now" she
said. eve weren't sure from your
telegram exactly at what hour you
would arrive. ana that was why
waited at Mr. COrvets to be sure we
wouldn't miss you. | have telephoned
father and he's coming home at once
She hesitated an instant in the door.
way, then turned to so out again.
Miss Sheriff." lie said.
! She halted. "Yes."
'Iou told me you had been waiting
for me to come and explain my con.
ncctlon with MIR. Corvet. Well
can't do that; that il what came
here hoping to find OUT
She came back toward him slowly
"What ito you mean?' she asked
He fought down and controlled
resolutely the excitement In his voice
as he told her rapidly the little he
knew about himself.
d. lie could not tell definitely how she
was affected by what he said She
flushed slightly. following her first
start of surprise after he had begun
Ito speak; when he had finished, he
saw that she was a little pale.s -
!, Then you don't know, anything
about Mr.. Corvet ut all she said.
mo: until got his letter ;sendina
for me here, I'd never seen or heard
his name" .,..ls 4
! She was thoughtful For a. moment.
ts:"Thank YOU for telling me-" she said
IN tell my father when he. comes.
r.. Your father is-?" he ventured.
= She understood now that the name
of Sheriff. had meant nothing to him
''Father is Mr.. Corvet's closest friend
and his business partner rs WELL" she
explained. % e.
= He thought she was going to tel
: him something more about them; bu
q she seemed to decide to leave that 70,
her father to do. She crossed to the
big. chair beside the crate and seated
herself. AS she sat looking ut him
1 hands clasped beneath her chin, IN,
her elbows resting on the arm Of tn,
chair, there was speculation and in
tterest in her gaze; but she did no,
ask him anything more about himself
- -. Te ~ --s5- go s--