Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-12
W.

An hour later Creigh, mounting a familiar
fight of steps, rang bell, the knob of which
came as an old acquaintance to his hand. A
maid whom he had never seen before took his
card and brought back word that her mistress
was at home Presently there was a rustic of
skirts in the hall, slender, black-robed figure
stood in the doorway, and the caller all for
getful of the program of dignified reserve he had
mapped out for the interview sprang forward.
At sight of his face she gave gasping little cry,
catching at the portieres for support Then, be-
fore either realized what was happening, he was
beside her, his good right serving to end
her need of reliance upon the curtains.
$50 you believed me killed?" he said little
later, when there opportunity for more sober
discussion. ''Of course, of course; you couldn't
help being deceived. 1t my fault, all mine.
1 should have wrtten-oh, yes, should; don't
try to make for me. But, somehow,
didn't think of such thing. You had said that
all was over between us, you know, and l be-
leved you; and l didn't what happened
after that. Still, when l found myself in the
city again 1 felt that l must see you just once
more"
But why, dear, did you send up Mr.. Creigh's
card?" she queried "Was it to break the sur
prise"
ooh. the card: hadn't thought of that. It's
mine now, you know. Or rather you don't. I'm
no longer the late Roger Golden; I'm the pres
ent Richard Creigh. Let me tell you all about
it,"
He gave her his story, suppressing but one
feature of this inheritance.
'I've come back" he concluded, ITO find
nice complication: Roger Golden officially dead
and the court ready to authorize Richard Creigh
TO act under his will That is, I'm my own
ecutor."
"What nonsensel" cried the girl.
| perhaps it's nonsense, and perhaps it's law;
and perhaps it's both. AT any rate, though, I'm
going to carry out one of the provisions. The
late Mr. Golden, in his will, directed that GER
tain sum should be devoted to the purchase of
certain diamond ring to be presented to a GER
tain young woman. Pursuant to the terms of
this paragraph, l. as executor, have bought the
ring. 1 have it here" He took case from
his pocket, and raising the cover, revealed the
band of gold and the gem. 1T now remains for
me to see that it is properly delivered to its
new owner Please don't refuse it again.
''I start for Europe tomorrow" said he, alb,
runtlv: imperative business, can't delay. Don't
Won think that if-er-er-if could find min
;ster in the morning, we could catch the noon
train?"
OF course she said no. Such proposal was
wildly impossible proceeding unheard Of
Then a dozen reasons, all advanced as con-
vincing and all declared worthless. Then a
protest that such hasty marriage would set the
tongues of gossip wagging
"rhey'll wag Just as badly if tarry in the
citv." said he 'Tve Burnett's authority for
90 away Immediately. You wouldn't have me
reject such counsel as his, would you?
And, as it happened, Burnetts reputation as a
social oracle, so far without the flaw of exposed
fallbility, carried the day. The lady began to
wayer, then to yield. The suitor won her con-
sent to his plan. So there wedding the
next day, the quietest of functions, at which
vacationless minister officiated and the guests
were limited to the family of the bride AS Mr..
and Mrs Creigh drove away in the carriage
which was to bear them to the railway station.
the wife confessed to the husband that every
thing had passed off delightfully."-,
But" she added, almost plaintively, II half
exnected you to ask me to invite Mr.. Burnett
You're such chums, aren't you"
ooh, certainly" said Creigh promptly; I'VE
are great cronies of course but on the whole
i guess he'd have found the situation most EN-