The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-09-14

lldllllCAS dlC dbOAi1lidOlCs
They proceeded into the low, shad-
owed living room, Autumn pausing
Just within the door to let her eyes
sweep over the place. She wanted
to make sure that the character of
this extraordinary room had not
changed. No, except for an added
piece or two, it was the same as
when she had last seen it--a haunt
ing medley of the centuries, the oak
walls dim and secret with their tap
estries, the Louis XIV Gobelin, the
fragile and priceless Renaissance
Grotesque with its quaint assembly
vanishing irretrievably into the
weave, vanishing back into the dead
hands of the weaver, and the bold
Francois Spierinx of Delft with its
heraldry challenging Time. Au-
tumn's eyes moved quickly over the
room, resting for a feeting moment
of delight upon one dearly remem-
bered treasure after another, until
Hector's voice, from where he stood
near the fireplace, recalled her.
"But-when did you get back, Au-
tumn?" he asked, his voice firm
now, with its old courtly infection.
1--WE just come. I walked right
up here from the station"
"But your father didn't tell me
you were coming home"
Autumn tossed her hat and purse
on the low Spanish settle, ruffied her
fingers through her hair, and came
over and stood beside him, her feet
spread boyishly apart, her hands
clasped behind her back. She looked
at Hector with grave amusement.
HE isn't expecting me-" she said
lightly.
Hector started. Autumn looked
at him sideways, frowning a little.
Then he began lingering the black
silk guard of his glasses, his lips
Tightening.
He isn't expecting you? You
mean he doesn't know you are COM
ing homer"
"Just so" Autumn told him. "And
! haven't phoned the ranch, because
Il WGllS W SUI PI iSG llliIl-
Hector turned slowly away.
Hmm. yes," he said, thoughtfully.
'It will be a surprise to him."
Besides, you old fraud, I wanted
to surprise you. Think of it, Hector,
it's nine years since you saw me
last"
Mine years! 1t seems impossible.
Well-we're getting older. I'm ap-
preaching my dotage, child. But you
You are eternal youth itself. You
have the heritage of your mother. "
Autumn's laugh pealed out deli
ciously. "But not her beauty, Hec-
tori"
THAT was what startled me when
I saw you at the door. You are her
image"
He moved to the couch that faced
the fireplace, seated himself, and
clasped his hands between his knees.
Autumn turned and looked down
upon him, and wave of swift pity
for him swept over her, obliterating
for moment the bewilderment and
dismay that were growing upon her
at the strangeness of his reception.
Time, the merciless invader. was
storming the fine citadel of that gal
liant old soldier, and already had
come an intimation of the ruin that
was to be. Autumn went quickly
and seated herself beside him, TAX
ing his brown hand in her own.
Ill
me?" she asked. ''You look as if
I had brought you tie plague.
What's wrong, Hector?"
He looked at her thoughtfully, then
got to his feet.
There's nothing wrong, my dear.
It's just the surprise, / suppose. 1t
has knocked me quite silly. Here
let me get you some tea."
mo, no, Hector" Autumn pro-
tested. 81 had dinner just before
stepped off the train. Besides,
must hurry along before it gets too
dark"
"Yes, yes, of course. There'n be
time enough for visiting later cn."
Plenty" Autumn declared. I'm
coming in TO spend whole day with
you just as soon as I get settled at
home"
How are you going out?"
Autumn patted one of his brown
hands affectionately. I'm going to
ride one of your hunters" she told
him, ''lt wouldn't look right for
the daughter of Jarvis Dean 10 go
home in an automobile, would it?"
Hector smiled. "One of my hunt
ers9 have only one left, my dear,
but you are welcome Are you CO.
ing TO ride IN those clothes?"
No. III telephone for my lug
gage have riding habit handy
in bag. You see, had it all
planned Where is the telephone,
Hector? Isn't that frightfully stupidi
It's the only thing about the house |
have forgotten.
Hector pointed to low japanese
gilt and black lacquer screen that
stood below a Seventeenth century
brass lantern clock with single hand.
"Back there" he said
When she had arranged for the
Immediate transfer of her luggage
to Hector Cardigan's house, she re-
turned to the fireplace. Hector had
laid another log on the fire, and the
pitch was swapping spiritedly. He
had also brought out remarkably
cut old English decanter with ruby
glass snake wound about the neck.
Two fragile wine glasses stood on
the trav beside il and the liquid