The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-03-11
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" by Mary lmloy 1aylorA&SN

hard cold look on his companion
eff you trespass on this, I'll"
he stopped, something in Marks
look stayed him. II say" he added
hurriedly, ''you may be all right;
you look like a gentleman, l ad-
NIT it, but hate the whole darn
ed business"
"Being a gentleman, I know
you do" Mark retorted grimly.
I'd as lief give it up as not, my
self"
"Too late, we're at the door,!
Landon waved his walking-stick
toward the long striped cater
piller awning stretched across the
pavement from a fine house on
the corner.
Mark looked it over curiously;
! it looked like a monument OF
dollars. $50, that's it,"
Landon nodded. "Thats Burle-
sons; Mrs. Lynn receives for him;
he's her brother-in-law, a widow
err. no children, he's the guardian
of his wife's niece, that's all"
Mark said nothing, but he was
aware that Landon gave him an
other uneasy look, then they en-
tered the awning and fell into
line with the guests who were
already ascending the carpeted
steps; a few were coming out;
many were going in. Archie was
greeted here and there as they
went up to the wide open door.
He seemed to have many friends;
some stopped for a word, out
Mark noticed that he was not pre-
sented and smiled a little to him.
self. But his thoughts were busy;
he knew Burleson, had known
him we'll as a boy. Would the
great man remember the seven
teen-year-old lad he had helped
send to prison? Mark thought not,
but if he did-Teddy Banks would
lose his wager!
They were in the house now,
it was softly lit; the wide hall
and stairs showed growing plants,
the atmosphere was sweet scent
ed, hot; there was a buzz of con-
versation, the alluring sound of
distant music, beautifully gown
ed women, distinguished looking
men, notable assembly, Mark
saw at a glance, and an ex-con-
vict for a guest! Landon, turning
on him at that moment, saw his
cheek bones Whiten, but he did
not know the cause. It was not
Burleson; Mark had suddely per
ceived the girl who stood beside
the stately, Whitehaired hostess.
There are moments when the rush
/ of an motion makes a man change
color; Mark Grant-knoWing how
he came there and Why-Went
white when he first saw Pamela
Rodney. The next moment Lam
don was reluctantly presenting
him to Mrs. Lynn. Mark noticed
that he omitted the words, my
FRIEND" he said only: stewart
Byram," the name Teddy Banks
had given him.
He was aware of a handsome,
worldly looking woman; her fine
eyes seemed to appraise him
keenly, but her manner was
charming. She held out a gracious
hand.
"One of the Utica Byrams, I
presumed" she said.
Mark bowed; he was only con-
sciouS of the presence next to
! her, and that he hated the whole
business!
II know one Of your aunts, I
think" said the suave voice, and
Mark cursed Teddy Banks for
playing some trick on them. Then
he heard Mrs. Lynn again. pam,
dear, let me present a friend Of
Archie's, Stewart Byram. Mr.. By
ram, my niece, Miss Rodney"
Again Mark bowed.
Pam had just passed Archie
Landon on to a young girl in pink,
and she turned with a radiant
smile for the newcomer Mark
scarcely heard the words of her
little conventional greeting; he
was listening to her voice; it
seemed as lovely as her face. He
had been too long in prison to
turn his tongue easily to social
inanities, but he found something
to say to her.
Tive been out Of the gay world
so long I feel dumb" he told her,
''but Balaam's Ass spoke when
the angel stood in the way"
His bluntness caught her; she
laughed delightedly.
Il wonder where you've been?"
she said; then she caught the fire
that played in his eyes and flush
ed prettily. "You look romantic;
as if you'd journeyed far - in
strange lands and done" she