New-York tribune., 1905-01-11

knew how / hate the system I'm forced with
almost every other girI-every married woman
bound to do as other people do and keep up
appearances. We couldn't live out OF the air
were accustomed to breathe though serious
writers who I've in Bayswater and drive in the
park. in disguised four-wheeIers. declared it's
though they'd call that looking the other thing.
To be clothed is easy. You can manage IL with
a Al. hopsaSA- But TO be dressed Burgnley-ir
isn't TO be done under ttUO n year, and mother
can give me only two hundred Now. can you
grasp the situation
I'm awfully stony myself" said Burghley.
Anxiously. "and the patsr is hampered with
annutties 10 dOwagers who won't die. To keep
up peerage on seven thousand q year Is no
joke. as you know But II lending you my
name would be any good could ---
Back bin for me? No thanksr said Phil
about"
But your Goodwood gown"
Il We got IT, said Phillida, with nush OF tri-
uznph, "and paid for it. It's the method I've
employed in paving for them that don't Ike
eyes.
You've raised cash IN some way that isn't
forgive me'-quite the square2' hazarded
heart
The bright sunshine streamed through the lac.
blinds gliding the fine outlines OF the girls
cleaT-cut profile. reddening the gold in her squir-
rel cOlored hair. kissing the warm. cream husd
skin OF the pretty throat. and revelliug In the
hres OF great Indian ring-a square crystal.
framed with diamonds flush with the stone and
the second finger Of her slim left hand
I've not raised cash; I've made cash" was
Phihda's astonishing reply. Heaps OF it. and
I-tshe gulped-'I sometimes wonder IL the
systems quite o k
Made cash. BurghIey repeated Alone
YOU a girl?"
"In partnership" admitted PhiIIida. beating
on the carpet with little scarlet shoe
Burghley choked behind his double collar as
he asked:
With a woman2'
No, with a man. said PhnIida flashing
man; and you know the worst of itr'
Good lor'.' calculated BUrghley. Good lori
Good lor|
PhiIida rose proudly
If that is all you have 70 say" she observed.
addressing Chinese porcelain wrestler. you
needn't trouble TO repeat 1t twice"
NO. but good lor'F gasped BUrghley,
fatuOusly.
PhilIda had reached the door when hs
I'm frightfuly sorry. but always manage to
say the wrong thing first" ne protested. red
through the honest tan and breathing as though
he had run a hurdle race But you haven't got
a brother-yOu've known me all your Iife-and
I've got to hear this out. please"
Have you. fndeedT' Phinfda's lips lost their
ripe red Her bright brown eyes defied the pre-
sumptuOus youth.
Who's your partner, and how do you make
money? Have you a share in a bonnet shop or
a tea dfvan. or do you dabble in City stocks and
50 forth? I've got TO know. you know" said
Burghley, his jaw hard as iron. his shoulders
squared. and a new ring in the voice that she
/ had always thought so boysh. PhiIIida re-
garded him for moment with uudiSsuised sur
prise, then. throwing herself gracefully into a
deep. soft chair near the door. crossing her small
her slim young arms above her head, affected 70
yawn.
I've got to know. you krow' repeated Burgh-
ley What do you play at, YOU and-yOur
partner? BE quick please
we play at bridge if you viii have it
Phillida said sullenly. We're a business firm. it
you like to put it that way PhlIIda
& Co"
who is Coz Mentally BurghIey ran over
Erie Derriger-but he always loses-Lord Can
trips. Billy Vikoming, Jack Desart. HugOnOt OF
| Ours None Of these men? Who is Co. them
One would like TO know his name" Mentally he
ended. If only for the purpose OF kicking him
until he is ashamed OF it,
Phillida studied the carpent asSiduCusly.
do you know Captain COlclough?"
That Yankee, Is that the feIlow?" burst
from the surprised BurghIey- Why. you hardly
ever throw him a word And as to giving him
a chance
Burghley's eyebrows were eloquent.
That's part Of the arrangement" admitted
PhiIIida.
'I-seer' said BurghIey- Let's have the rest
please"
There's not much Of It. It's fun TO win-and
somehow. when Captain COIcIOugh and happen
TO be playing at the same table. whether we're
partners or not. one or other OF us always does
what least. since made compact"
said Phiilida, her hands clasped behind her head
and a defiant smile on lips that had regained
their sweet redness- And afterward divide
fairly. Captain COlclOugh is the soul OF honor
at least" amended Phillida, 4 believe So"
Il wonder 1 haven't heard a word OF this"
grOaned Burghley. I'm at bridge. and
people don't ask me to the homes where it's
played. How-hOw much have you and Captain
Co. pulled of since you began
Fifteen hundred pounds" replied Phlllfda-
Burghley looked at the girl with circular eyes
And when did you enter into this precious
partnership"
a month ago" said the girl
He had the audaCity''-
ITO propose II. I believe he did. had opened
the way by grUmbling about the sUalness o.
my allowance. Captain ColclOugh offered 70
lend me mOney-and I nearly boxed his ears.
why was il only nearly?" grOaned Burghley.
Then ne suggested this-and 1 thought it
would be fun to try He asked me 70 wear this
the pledge OF our compact"
Phillida held up the white, rather freckled
young hand, upon which cleaned the Indian
crystal set in diamonds and dull pale gold
'And you've worn the beggdr's ring a month.
and scOoped $3.50 as your share of the winnings
Good IOr' good lor'r' repeated Burghley.
Il have made q clean breast TO you. and now
I'm sorry for it, said PhIlIida II shall not re-
talk YOU can talk about Lady Cantrips's tab
Ieaus vivants. They're for a charity bazaar, at
the Kings Hail. and I've got TO buy nv dress
for Campaspe. 1t viii cost oceans of money.
and
And you've bIued the f150?'
My four Ascot gowns made big hole in that,
and the rest melted away somehow" explained
Phillida.
ITO be continuedl