The Ordway new era., 1908-01-17
"Wil You Walk Into My Parlor!''
By Armiger Barclay
tcopyusnti

me ANYTHING about 1t, Tom" demurred
little Mrs Leyage.
Little Mrs. Leyarge looked a trihe
disappoluted In spite OF her we'll
simulated indignation she felt all
pretty womans interest In an anaire
du coeur. Besides, she was very fond
Of her big nephew. Tom Rurord. and
liked him none the less because he
was in the habit OF conhding in her at
such times as the tender passion
moved him.
Is she very NICE" she smiled.
Shes TOO delightful for words!
She has all the charms OF the most
charming women I've ever known.
and none OF their defects. Just think.
Lame, a woman as beautiful as
goddess. and who isn't on the make
You don't find en- nowadays. I've
known her for a month now. and.
would you believe It. I've only been
able to make her accept few flowers
"a couple of sprays OF orchids. She
absolutely refuses to let me spend
penny on her"
1t sounds just little suburban.
Tom"
Don't you make any mistake You
know a bit about dress and all that
sort OF thing but you're not in II with
her. Liane. Her dresses Never saw
anything so wonderful in my life. or
so many She goes TO katchenka's:
and what her bill there must be heav-
en- only knows"
Mrs. Levage looked at him atfec-
tionately.
DO be careful. Tom. dear" she i'm
plored She may be everything you
think. but You haven't been foolish
enough to write her any letters. have
you?"
Toms hesitation was sufficient an.
swer
oh. you silly man" she cried.
only one. Liane-and short at
that" he protested.
Yes. ! know. Full OF idiotic admis
about in the divorce court. oh. Tom.
now could you be so foolish?"
No need to distress yourself. my
dear GIRL" he assured her. She
rounded on me quite enough herself
about what she called the indiscre-
ton of 1t. Told me she tore the letter
up in little bits directly she'd read 1t.
So there's no harm done
Well" said his little mentor. as
she rose to go. you're old enough to
look after yourself. | suppose. No.
can't stop. My electric's wait
ing. and the current is running out
Tom shut the outer door Of the fiat
picked up letter lying in the hall
and returned to his pleasant sitting
room. The little condolences OF the
morning served to whet an already ar
dent passion. 1t provided vistas Of de-
lightful reflection. Tom Rufford, In a
comfortable armchair. with the spring
sunshine Frightening all around him.
felt supremely happy. One thing was
quite certain: Constance Windham
returned his affection unselfshly She
was unhappy. and he had consoled
her. Precious thought! She asked
for nothing. could expect nothing
more. How much better-how much
purer-this than the everyday court
ship that implied material returns.
lolu idu Hdu oHe VI t"o eADtIltuCtS
that ranked,
With a sigh OF satisfaction he
opened the misunderstanding letter that
he had brought in, and began reading
1t.
'SIr:-During her visit here yesterday.
Mrs. windham dropped a letter bearing
your name and address which begins:
My own Constance! The sweet admis-
sion that M lnve -
heart with tenderness. I adore you. For
me the world begins and ends with you!
When am to see you-hold your dear
hands In mine again.?
Il make no excuse for taking the only
means in my power to obtain a settlement
with Mrs. Windham. Unless I receive.
by this afternoon, the sum of Gl7Gi-5-O
which she owes me. I shall be compelled
In self-defense. to place your letter in
the hands OF the lady's husband. l am.
sir. obediently yours.
LUCE KATCHENKA."
What monstrous thing was this? A
trade trick, or a practical joke? But
the letter! The dreadful fact re-
mained that he had written it-only
two days ago! How had 1t got into
Katchenka's hands? Had not Con.
stance herself told him that she had
destroyed It? Oh. this must be some
Internal trick Of the dressmaker's,
Besides. how could any woman-even
Constance-owe such sum as seven
teen hundred pounds for costumes?
He dashed out, jumped into a cab,
and In quarter of an hour was with
her. Without preamble he came to
the point.
DO you owe Katchenka seventeen
hundred and odd pounds? Tell me
quickly" he asked. breathlessly.
The lady drew herself up. by what
right do you intrude into my private
concerns?" she replied, haughtily.
Don't be angry with me, Com
stance" he implored. Il understand
your pride, your disinterestedness
But, for your own sake-and mine
Vptr ynnat ho froy Il,