The Washington herald., 1907-07-06
THE CONQUEST OF CUTLER
By LOUISE MERRIFTELD.

| ,he hotel point and headed for the open
bay. She was alone, but the little
naphtha launch belonged TO Cutler There
was no mistaking that With its polished
brass rails. its red morocco cushions. and
its trim. slender lines II was the smartest
bit Of sailing craft on Lake Glenora.
And for ever three weeks Muriel Arden
had had the exclusive use of it, and
had exercised the privilege at every op-
portunity. To Tennant it was more than
mere girlish willfulncss. II was frankly
Haunting in his face her conquest of
Cutler, and her defiance Of himself. and
preference for things belonging to said
Cutler.
He watched her as she neared the pier.
II she saw the tan. moody figure in gray
flannels. she made no sign. Hatless. the
wind blowing her brown hair back from
her tanned, clear-cut face, she held her
way steadily toward the open bay. one
hand on the little brass-tipped pilot wheel.
and looked neither 10 the right nor the
left
Phil Tennant muttered something under
his breath, and turned quickly on his heel
toward the hotel II was after Z. II
he hurried he could still catch the night
boat for Chicago. Perhaps me could even
get away before she returned. It was
growing late. Up at the hotel they were
lighting the colored japanese lanterns
around the verandas. There was 20 be q
hop that night. He remembered Muriel
had told him she was going 10 it with
Cutler He avoided the main entrance
with its palms and pretty girls. and
slipped up 10 his own room 10 pack his
suit eases On the way upstairs ne met
Cutler. who looked anxious and annoyed.
Did you see the little girl anywhere"
Tenant turned on him hotly.
Whom do you refer to-"
Cutler laughed easily. without malice.
and ignored the resentment in the others s
tone.
There's a storm coming up. and
didn't want her 10 go out in my boat
alone"
AS he passed on downstairs leisurely
Tenant paused and looked after him. his
fists clenched tightly. He would have en-
joyed ninging him down the whole flight
for those words. THE little girl II
was the easy proprietary familiarity that
cut. That any man on earth should dare
10 use that tone I'm speaking Of MurieI-
his Muriel, Then Ike a fash came the
memory Of that straight. cold little figure
in the launch as It had passed the pier. of
the proud little face that would not turn
HIS way, and he went on upstairs with
dogged, bitter sense Of an things gone
wrong. Perhaps she was Cutters little
girl"
The Chicago boat was due at the
GienOra at $50. At the music of the
Hungarian string orchestra came softly
from the palm-hidden ballroom. For
moment Tennant hesitated on the veranda
listening 10 it, Muriel was I'm there, he
thought. She had probably returned and
was dancing, perhaps with Cutler. while
he was going away from her forever He
had been fool 20 come at all II had
been her half laughing challenge that last
night on the roof garden They We're
with the Wilburton party. Cutler had
been there also, but Muriel had sat next
10 Tenant, and he had fancied that last
instant on the stairs that she had meant
more than a mere Irritation when she had
said she hoped he would be a member OF
the summer colony mt GlenOra
He had taken her ct her word. and gone
10 Glenora. and what Miss Arden had be
gun on the roof garden she finished an
GlenOra. But Tenant was slow, slow TO
fall In love, slow TO believe that he had
the ghost OF a chance with a girl Ike
Muriel Arden, slower yet 20 risk that
chance in one last throw. And while he
had waited. sure OF himself. but doubtful
of Murlel Cutler had come down with his
launch. his motor car. his coach. and an
the other accessories OF half dozen mil
lion or so, and Muriel had seemed to
waver.
The night air was still and heavy.
Suddenly a sweep of COOL keen wind blew
in freshly from the bay. II caught the
frail Jap lanterns and tossed them lik,