The Lambertville record., 1923-09-21


day. and, finally. 1t was arranged that
she should go out with Lewis Beitle-
man, for an evening at his home. on
Monday.
isn't It ridiculous we never thought
of this before7' he said to her on the
train.
Neither his wife nor Eldreda was
visible when, with Miss Conifee. he
reached the porch of his home. "Nan-
Inc" he called through the open door,
Here we are" There was no answer.
and he was placing Miss Conlfee in a
comfortable chair when Eldreda ap-
peared. Her manner. he recognized.
was that of the earl's daughter greet.
Ing the faithful retainers from the
castle terrace-there was quick
smile. widening OF the notable eyes,
followed by congealing of every hu-
man aspect.
Lewis Beitleman knew this posture
well, and 1t specially irritated him.
Mamma" she said. ''has touch OF
neuralgia. and asks>to be excused"
II didn't know that" he admitted
incautiously; 'I'll go right up and see
her."
whats the matter with your" he
demanded sharply. standing before the
recumbent Nanine.
ut hurts my face to talk" she ex-
planned hastily. He gazed steadily at
her, and then. without further speech,
nd ynff .
bad about Mrs. Beitleman. Miss Con-
flee said. They were at the table, and
he WAS eating in n savage silence.
Eldreda's hands dropped like spent
lilies on her wrists, She couldn't think
why they had cottage cheese-a dis
gusting dish.
"Smesrcase," Lewis Betieman cor
rected her. taking a conspicuous sec
ond helping, His disappointment. his
resentment and anger, had hardened
within him; he scarcely noticed Miss
Conifee, so slight in the gray voile,
with an appropriate pale flower under
the close rim of her hat. After sup
per the three sat uneasily In May
evening palpably silver under the
mnon worn, enriny hraa,o hnratv
st,rred Tho to,,og. =, tho troa.
piano played and stopped.
Iowis peI,,omor,s ancor dosortod
him but he ached nc tbo,sh n bod
left an actual wound. Eldreda rose,
remaining immobile, statuesaue, wait.
ing for a moment, and then. without
exn,anatIon vanished into tho bou
Thi. created In his mind ON ,mac. ~
bor lao,inc ,or tbo wet for co,,
fornia His wife nc we'll b.d s,oLen
~ going uo could Gonna ou, ava COO
them IN tho winters sbarnIv a yo,ce
Within him vb,snered crIed thot be
dIdn,t have to II. thov cou,dn,, droa hin,
"a California
7, wesp,t bouovor of bimso,r TINT
be was thinking nor of Eldredo and
Nanine but Of Miss conIfee UIs ad.
n,,rotIor for hor ba a,scoyorod v,a.
,mmeasurable And rightly. nerso,
~ integrity who had ,tyon ber y,to,.
,,v ber no 10 hin, and b,s ,ntorost
Now sbo was an old maid mt bo
disoaraod ,bot tor,, as .oon az % 40
currad IN bIn,--NYisa coptfee w,s
no,bino 90 ahsurd win n,onoy with
tho secnr,tv be was shout 70 ofrer ber
.be,d have moro hats Win rosos rosos
ninl ana NOT groy
nAttss E,dredo Ia haaptifu,. she
eaia suddon and u,istfni awo mus,
COO ,ho. .ho ,o,a 10 co,,,orrto
cou,dn,t wo do a. mi. ,au Mr. peitla.
MAN."
"Tbis surmorr be corrected ber.
.ord Me- po,,Io,,on 4. oo,no WITH
hor.
..put Who will star with vouy, Mis-.
Conlfoa domardod
am ho oil right. bo ossu,ea ber
tore ,,I have 10"
.I dom, understand sba ren,,od
s,ou,,y
"you will soon enouph" +" NIL hIs re-
strain, yos gopo az dom, core how
soon tbov lenve and ~ they never
come hack. If NV money is nll thew
want thev can have r. most Of IT.
and Pm VOL rid of them What are
tbev IA me- ia Ike TO know the wav
Won are7 Nothing You and me have
shaved for them long enough From
now on we,re going IN work some for
ourselves we're going 70 baye a little
aase and davs Off rolling over the
country"
Turned toward Miss conIfee he saw
ber swav in her chair. and then she
Numbered n her feet
"Mr Beltlemanl" her voice was SO
choked that she was practically mar
tjcuIate. "Wbat-what do YOU
mean7 Whatever in NV conduct gave
Won tho liberty TO saw such thIngs1"
She sank back into the chair. "Im,
Tn all In a trembIe." There was the
stopped heave of sob. "Under-
stand TINT am leaving your employ
mont as soon as You can get some
body else"
"Aflss Conifee," Lewis Beltleman