Page:Harold Titus--Timber.djvu/33

Rh admit doubt; he would not do that to himself, let alone to strangers.

Harris went on with his mail. Henry puttered quietly. A door opened in a few minutes and a blowsy blonde appeared.

"Breakfast's ready," said Henry, and Taylor and Harris went into the dining room.

They were the only guests and sat at the same table, and Harris, after glancing at the head-lines of a Detroit paper, put it aside. He winked at the girl when she put butter at bis plate, and she smiled with lumbering coyness.

"You got back for 'lection, I see, " she observed.

"Yup."

Seems like we can't do nothin' important without you, any more, Mr. Harris."

"Hope you'll never do anything rash without me!" he drawled in his big voice; and the girl giggled with a mixture of confusion and delight.

Breakfast came on. John had selected the best from the girl's chant, but Harris had half a grapefruit and, later, a palatable-looking steak; neither of these had been offered Taylor.

The two talked in desultory manner. Rain pattered the window and passed, and the day brightened.

The proprietor came into the room.

"The auto livery is open, Mr. Taylor," he said. "Shall I tell 'em you want to make a drive?"

"Thanks, yes."

In a moment he looked up to find Harris' eyes on him with a knowing smile.

"So, you're young Taylor," he said and grinned.

"Taylor is my name and I am young." John smiled; this man made one feel comfortable.