The Washington times., 1909-03-29

the success of our under
taking" said Arthur Barring
ton, raising the glass OF chi
anti 10 his lips.
Scala, It was the utterance of this
word which made Wilbur Leslie gasp
as he sat with his ear against the
knothole in the partition.
Scala was the name printed at the
bottom OF the mysterious photograph
the name of the photographer at
Rome who. apparently. had taken the
picture Wilbur had found in the library
book
Steve C:2yton had guessed right, then
The villainous-faced Italian was Scala,
the photographer. himself.
Wilbur congratulated himself upon
this highly important discovery. Even
If his eavesdropping did not result in
his obtaining any further information.
he had. at least, managed to learn the
identity OF the Italian with the sinister
countenance.
That was something achieved; bat
Wilbur hoped that even more import
ant disclosures were about 20 follow.
and scarcely daring to breathe he
awaited eagerly the continuance of the
conversation on the other side OF the
partition.
He heard the two men clink their
glasses together in honor of Arthur
Barrington's toast, and then the italian
said, speaking perfect English but with
a slightly foreign accent:
Success TO our undertaking. my dear
friend. drink that toast with all my
heart But do you really think we shall
succeed?'
..of course. we shall.'' replied Arthur
fail now. I have proposed to the girl,
and she has accepted me"
"Goodv' exclaimed the other man,
with much juoilation in his tone "Tnis
is glorious news. You have done very
well, my dear friend, very well, in
deed.
And you are very fortunate" he
went on. I'm addition to achieving sue
cess you have won for yourself a
charming bride. I congratulate you
heartily. Allow me to propose another
toast. Here's to the health of the
future Mrs. Arthur Barrington-the
most beautiful and also the most fortu-
nate OF her sex"
Their glasses clinked again.
Here's to her health,'' said Arthur
harrington. 'She's certainly a beauty;
but I'm not sure that I'm TO be con-
graduated, Scala. I don't want to get
married. I fear that I shall find the
matrimonial yoke horrible bore. Stius
II has to be done, so It is no use kick
ing, I guess For the sake OF the
cause I am willing to offer myself as a
sacrifice at the altar. 1 wish I dlun't
have 10 do it, though"
''Pshawi'' exclaimed the other re-
proachfuIIy, ''you should not talk that
way, my dear friend. You have no
reason 10 be dissatisfied. 1t is only
proper that man Of your age should
take unto himself a wife. Every man
should marry. The lot Of a bachelor
is a most unhappy one.
"A1d think how fortunate you are
that the lady happens 10 be young and
beautiful. That is indeed cause for
congratulation- She might have been
an ugly old hag or a hunchback. ana
you would have had TO marry her just
the same"
That's So agreed Arthur. Il am at
least lucky In that respect. II wanted
to get married ! couldn't find a more
charming bride, L am willing 10 admit
But. as I said before ! don't want TO
get married-to her or any other girl
Wilbur Leslie sat on the other side
OF the partition, motionless as statue,
his ewes dilated, his face white as chalk,
Ais fists tightly clenehed.
Although Laura Hamilton's name had
not been mentioned in this conversation.
ne felt certain that IL was of her the
two men were speaking. and Arthur
Barrington's announcement that she had
consented TO marry him came as a stun
ming surprise.
This. then. was the explanation OF the
scenes he had witnessed in the office
girl allowing the junior partner Of Bar
rington * Sons 10 squeeze her hand and
imprint kisses upon her lips
He might have known that such a
girl would not have permitted any maa
to take such liberties with her except
the man 70 whom she was betrOthed
She was going 70 marry Arthur Bar