Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-22

scared me stiff! The minute | saw
him scurrying to cover like sinsed
cat 1 was fool enough to climb tho
first tree I've had my lesson, little
girl"
II hope you'll give Howard his.
Somebody ought to-" she said quietly.
About half past they dined In a
white AID pink dining room furnished
in dull gray walnut and served by q
stealthy, white haired, pink skinned
butler.
They had planned to 60 for spin In
Mortimers motor after dinner, but In
view of the Quarter fiasco neither
was in the mood for anything.
do you know, Leroy" she observed
as they left the table and sauntered
back into the pale blue drawing room,
do you know that the servants
haven't been paid for three months?"
ooh, for heavens sake" he expostu-
lated, don't begin that sort Of thing.
I get enough Of that at home. get it
every time show my nose"
II only mentioned it." she said care
lessly. You had an opportunity to
make Howard pay you back. What
are you going to do?'
"Do?"
"Of course. You are going to do
something, suppose. You haven't yet
told me how you intend to make How
ard return the money you lost through
his juggling with your stock"
II don't exactly know myself" adj
mitted Mortimer. still overflushed. II
mean to put it to him squarely as a
debt Of honor that he owes. l asked
him whether to invest. he never
warned me not to. He is morally re-
sponsible
She nodded
"I'll tell him so, too" clustered Nor
timer, shaking himself into an upright
posture and laying pudgy clinched
fist on the table. I'm not afraid of
him! He'll find that out too. know
enough to stagger him. Not that l
mean to use It, I'm nov going to have
him think that my demands on him
for my own property resemble extor-
ton. I've half mind to shake that
money out of him in one way or an
other"
He struck the table and looked al
her for further sign Of approval.
"Tm not afraid Of him." he repeated.
II wish to God he were here, and Ia
tell him So"
She said coolly, II was wishing that
too"
For awhile they sat silent. preoccu-
pied, avoiding each others direct gaze.
When she rose he started, watching
her in q dazed way as she walked to
the telephone.
"Shall II" she asked quietly, turning
to him, her hand on the receiver.
"Wait. W-what are you going t.
dol" he stammered. s.
Call him up. Shall I?''
A dull throb of fright pulsed through
him.
"You say you are not afraid of him.
Leroy"
"Now he said, with an oath. Il am
not. Go ahead!'
She unlocked the receiver. After
second or two her low, even voice
sounded. There came pause. She
rested one elbow on the walnut shelf,
the receiver tight to her ear. Then:
"Mr. Quarter, please. Yes, Mr..
Howard Quarter. No, no name. Say
it is on business of immediate impdr-
lance. Very we'll, then; you may say
that Miss Vyse insists on speaking to
him. Yes, I'll hold the wire"
She turned, the receiver at her ear
and looked narrowly at Mortimer.
won't he speak to you% he de-
handed.
"I'm going to find out. Hush a mo-
ment!" and in the same calm, almost
childish voice: "Oh, Howard, Is that
you? Yes, l know promised not to
do this, but that was before things
happened. Well, what am to do when
It is necessary to talk to you? Yes, II
Is necessary. l tell you it is necessary
am sorry it is not convenient for you
to talk to me, but l really must ask
you to listen. No, shall not write.
want to talk to you tonight-now!
Yes. you may come here If you care
to. I think you had better come, How,
ard, because / am liable to continue
ringing your telephone until you are
willing to listen. No, there is nobody
here. | am alone. What time? Very
well: shall expect you. Goodby."
She hung up the receiver and turned
to Mortimer:
"He's coming up at once. Did say
anything to scare him particularly
zone things sure as preaching" SAID
Mortimer. Hes a coward, and I'm
glad Of it," he added natyely. relight'
ing his cigar, which had gone out.
"If he comes up in his motor he'll be
here in few minutes" she said
Suppose you take your hat and go out.
I don't want him to think what ne
will think II he walks into the room
and finds you waiting. You have your
key, Leroy. Walk down the block, and
when you see him come in give him
Eve minutes"
Her voice had become little breath
less, and her color was high. Mortl
mer. too, seemed apprehensive. Things
had suddenly begun to work them
selves out too swiftly.
do you think that's best?" he fal.
tered, looking about for his hat. "Tell
Merkle that nobody has been here II
Quarter should ask him. Do you
think we're doing it in the best way,
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