The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-14

Inns and drained it feverishly. Ken
dali noted that her fingers were shak-
ing. and his heart gave a sudden throb.
Perhaps. after all. her coldness was
mere assumption. He sought ner
glance eagerly, but it was frigidiy
withheld.
After a trying silence Marjorie took
ND her knife and fork and tried vainly
to eat. The food stuck in her throat.
Kendall finished his dinner mechan-
ically.
Marjorie. he broke out abruptly.
"don't, for heavens sake. treat me this
way. Cannot we be at least friendly !
Will you answer one question"
The girl lost color again. though she
met his eyes openly. almost probingly.
Certainly" she said after little.
"Am l, then. utterly Odious to yOu?
She WINGED, and her snowy chin lift
ed itself imperceptbly. but unmistak-
ably.
81 hardly think the occasion or the
circumstances warrant that" she an
swered, the shadows deepening in her
eyes.
Kendalrs heart gave great lurch.
Had she heard? He would be frank
with her anyway.
IF you mean the circumstances sur
rounding our-disagreement," he said.
decidedly they do"
She made no answer, but the hurt
look in her eyes told him the truth,
and he hurried on eagerly:
Marjorie. will you listen to my side
of 1t? Listen! l was desperate-crazy
when I thought l had lost you.
threw myself into anything-every-
thing-all sorts Of things-as a means
of getting a little relief from the eat
ing misery of it all. Before l knew it
1 found myself mixed up in this silly
business. But swear to you on my
word as man that there is no ques
ton of honor involved. The whole
thing, believe me, is nine parts jest.
With little it might be made serious,
but, thank heaven, no fatal words have
been spoken"
But she believes
mot at all. She has no right. She
does not. 1 know it. Dear, you have
always been good and wise and lib
eral. Don't let this nonsensical thing
come between us now. You will not?"
Again he leaned toward her with pas
siOnate vehemence. and his fingers
caught hers and held them haSd, his
eyes burning into hers
When he finished speaking Marjorie
was looking into his face wistfully, al
most sadly.
Il am sorry. Dick she said. "but it
is all too late. l sail from New York
Friday as companion to an invalid
lady. My father lost everything. and
l accepted the engagement last month.
1t is serious. you see"
Kendall smiled. There are degrees
Of seriousness. Miss Dereforth, are
there not?''
She shook her head, still grave, but
his eyes only frightened. He had the
reins now, and he was resolved upon
the heroic course.
Twill you be good enough to give
me the lady's address," he asked.
Wondering, Marjorie drew from her
bag slip of paper and passed it over
to him.
At the next station Kendall left the
car for a few moments, and the girl
went back into her sleeper, where she
sat waiting with vivid cheeks, a smile
in her eyes and a swiftly beating
heart in her bosom.
Ten minutes later Kendall came in,
fourishing three ominous yellow sheets
Of paper in his hand. He held them
out to her.
Here are the copies Of some tele
grams.' he said. Read them"
Miss Kitty Hargreaves. 1876 - Street.
New York:
Impossible to keep my engagement with
you and Miss Huntley. See letter.
r. KENDALL.
Mrs. ]. NJ. Waterman. 1924 - Street.
New York:
Unforeseen circumstances compel me to
cancel my engagement with you. Details
later. MARJORIE DEREFORTH.
Mr.. Jack Davidson. Phenix Club, New
York.
Meet US with your wife at the Grand
Central station at p. m. Marjorie and
myself have decided to be married at your
house tonight. DICK.