Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-04-19

Mr.. Kessler's physical handicaps
had threatened to make this occa-
sion difficult, but Elizabeth's initial
glance dispelled her apprehension.
He was badly crippled, but he did
not appear resentful; he faced the
world before him with a grave &C
ceptance, as though all the fault
he had t. find with destiny had been
got over long ago. As their eyes
met Elizabeth was struck with an
impression that she had seen Mr..
kessler somewhere before.
1t also seemed to her that Mr..
kessler was looking at her with an
unusual interest. His eyes went over
her swiftly and inclusively, taking
in her hair, her face, her dress,
every detail of her as though it were
important that he should know all
about her as soon as possible. It
was the way man might have
looked at famous parsonage he had
long been eager to meet, or a woman
so astoundingly beautiful that he
wanted to impress her forever upon
his memory. Elizabeth was not IA
nous, and while she was not ugly
she was no ravishing beauty either.
She thought it might mean that they
really had seen each other some
where, and he like herself was trying
to identify the recollection. If her
own sense Of familiarity persisted
she could ask him about it later on.
All this was only a quick f1utter
In her mind, pushed aside in an in
slant while her attention turned it.
self to its immediate concerns. She
took In his appearance quickly: q
big man OF more powerful build than
she had expected, bent over a heavy
cane with a dependence that told
her instantly that she should not
expect him to shake hands; IRON
gray hair receding at the temples,
thick beard, scar that rippled
up his right cheek, dark eyes with a
line OF concentration between the
eyebrows and crinkles of kindness at
the outer corners, and a pleasant
smtle-what she could see of 1t be-
tween the whiskers-a very pleasant
smile indeed. If he had any idea
that this was not their first meeting
he gave no evidence Of it, for all
he said to her was, How do you do,
Mrs. Herlong," with the stateliness
she had learned to expect from
Europeans. Elizabeth indicated the
room beyond.
Come in by the fire, Mr.. Kessler.
These are my children"
Dick was standing, with that mix
ture OF assurance and awkwardness
that made her find boys in their
teens so eminently kissable just
when they most resisted being kissed
by their mothers. Cherry, with few
er years but more social graces than
Dick would acquire for another dec
ade, sat smiling welcome to the
newcomer. Elizabeth introduced
them, and again it seemed to her
that Kessler was regarding them
with an attention extraordinary in a
man who could hardly be supposed
to have any interest in them. There
was an alertness in the way he spoke
to Dick and Cherry, as though he
had decided in advance that he was
going to be fond of them and hoped
they would respond. He said, "Your
father has told me great deal
about you, and has shown me your
pictures. I am so glad to see you"
Dick, who had already said How
do you do" tried to look pleasant
without knowing what else to say,
while Cherry, a shade too adept
at social fibs, answered, "He has
told us lots about you too, Mr.. Kess-
ler," with such bright smile that
Elizabeth privately reminded her
self, 1--WE got to warn Cherry about
that sort of thing, if she isn't care
full she's going to be an intolerable
gusher before she's twenty" Kess-
Ter appeared to be finding them the
most attractive youngsters on earth.
While she was offering him the chair
she had intended for him, arranged
with little table at it's side so he
could set down his glass when the
hors d'oeuvreS appeared, she add
ed to herself, "Spratt must have
led him to expect most remarkable
pair of children, he really shouldn't
or is Mr.. Kessler as charming as
this with everybody?" Spratt, evil
IDENTIFY pleased at the good impress
sion his offspring were making,
crossed the room to the door leading
upstairs, explaining that Kessler had
had time to wash up in his bunga-
low before leaving the lot, but he
himself had not, and if they'd for
give him he'd go up and make
himself presentable. "I'll leave you
with the family, Kessler," he con-
cluded
Kessler gave him smile and a
slight formal bow. Elizabeth re-
turned to the fire. Nov We'll have
cocktail. Dick, will you bartend?"
Dick would; he was always glad
of this to occupy him during his first
minutes of encounter with strang-
er. Everything became quite as
usual. Dick mixed the Martins, and
as the war had reduced the number
of their servants Cherry brought in
the hors d'oeuvres. "These are liv-
er-paste, Mr.. Kessler, and these are
| smoked salmon. and these thingum-