The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

seriousness that filed that ysung man
with loving warmth. You see it's this
way" He entered into an elaborate ex-
planation. diagrammed on the back OF an
envelope and backed b. many authori-
ties. and the guests whose position pre-
cluded a view OF the pantry door lent
him polite attention. Billy. whose mind
was again IN working order, remembered
definitely that Antoinette had but three
girls staying with her. There was but
one remaining. When she had been and
gone, the function at which he was pre-
siding would lose its comic opera charao-
teristics and resume those OF a dinner.
There she was now-the brown-haired
girl with the denure expression-and
Treleavens pleasing voice went on quite
as II the most ordinary OF walters was
removing HIS plate. Billy hoped the
brown-haired girl wouldn't forget TO tell
AntOinette that the discussion OF arctic
affairs was progressing as II she and her
friends had remained on their own side
of the geranium hedge. where they be-
longed. He hoped also that the brown
haired girl was feeling compunctious for
her part in this evenings performance.
Little had he thought as he sat with her
on Antoinette's porch and ate fudge that
him Ike this. lie kept a gently gTieved
expression on the side OF his face toward
her as he listened 20 the hero OF the
frozen North. who had now Klided into
an eloquent dissertation on the use OF
alcoholic drinks IN a frigid zone
There! the brown-haired girl was gone.
That was the last Billy leaned his elbow
comfortably on the table and waited hap
PLY for Nora niece. red-handed. awk-
ward, cap awry, and apron none too
fresh. 10 bring the dessert. an ignorant
Of the fact that Nora's niece, with her
evenings pay IN her pocket. had gone
gratefully to a party OF her own.
Il understand" said Billy, addressing
Trelesven. that the use OF dogs"
He finished the observation 90 the can
delabra. The dessert was being brought
in by the original waitress. she OF the
dark hair and the charming profile and
tho sweet Inconsistencies Of manner:
and at one bound the mind Of The chief
guest had returned from Point Barrow
and Banks Land. and his engaging blue
eyes were following as closely as con-
vention permitted every graceful move
ment OF the one who served
As you were saying. Treleaven," Billy
began desperately. but Treleaven did not
even hear The tall young waitress had
placed the coffee urn beside the host and
was lighting the alcohol lamp beneath II.
Now she bent deferenially behind MS
chair
rs there anything else. Mr.. Ordway?"
she murmured respectfully. Her voice
was a muted violin. Tom Stratton had
been essaying a remark, but he broke on
short in fl and breathless hush held the
room
The voice OF the host broke the hush.
No" he growled. A pickering hint OF a
smile wavered the scarlet line OF her lips.
She was gone.
And with her going vanished all pre-
tense Of interest IN the arctic regions.
As one man the guests turned upon their
baited host and demanded an explana-
don.
What are you talking about?" inquired
Billy our second girl Is having a vaca-
cation while my mother is away, and so
the cook got her niece TO come and wait
on the table. She is rather a pretty girl
after the Irish type''-carelessly-''b
what do you chaps see in her 10 get ex-
cited Overt These cigarettes are all right,
Treleaven. They"
Who is a pretty girl after the Irish
type?" inquired Tom Stratton.
''Nora's niece" returned Billy. pushinp
the cigars across the table.
The next remark came as chorus.
Which is NOra's niece?" II demanded
Billy gazed az them through a cloud Of
smoke. There wasn't but one" he said
soOthingly.
A howl Of derisive protest. TreIeaven
alone was absorbed with his black coffee
Il thought maybe you gave EN- away
as souvenirs" said Peters plaintivel,-
MY mother would like to have me bring
one home
There is really no reason for Won
;haps seeing double said Billy.
Double" sighed Peter ''I saw quad
ruple, and 1 would just as soon see
octuple If al Nora's nieces are like the
sample"
In my opinion said Tom. 'ft is n
case Of multiple personality"
What do you think, Treleaven?" de-
manded Rex Stevens. rs Nora's niece a
hypnotist or is she triplets?"
The dauntless explorer gazed dreamilv
at the nearest dancing candle flame. I