Evening star., 1909-06-23

self. why-maybe l can annex some OF it
in my wifes name"
Your wife," she interposed. a hope
breaking through the pail of misery that
was settling over her. Il didn't know
you we're
Married? I amt. But l hope to be
before I'm SO very much older Ev'ry
man ought to marry. Specially man
to support wife better'n any other fell
Ter you know. Don't you think I'd ought
to get one?
The girls dry tongue refused it's office.
Conover went on in the same loathed un-
dertone of confidence
point. Miss Standish. An when l an
the young lady l have in mind gets to
be a little better acquainted | hope
she'll agree with me-"
Suppose gasped Lefty, for once
fighting back the tears. suppose the girl
with some one else? Or even.' gasping
again at her own boldness "even engaged
| to some one else.
| Il don't think that'd worry me so very
much he said slowly. bending nearer 10
his shrinking hostess. I'm in the habit
of takin' what I want. An / never yet
| found any one who could keep me from
| doin' 1t. That sounds like brag. But
| it amt: as l hope I'll be able to show
| you some day.
/ IC gill IOSc, SIldhlIlS, 10 her Ieet. i lie
advent of a new guest alone saved her
from fleeing panic-stricken to her room.
But as step sounded on the walk below "
| she paused irresolute.
| Good evening" said the late conner.
| limping slightly as he mounted the steps.
At his voice murmur of surprise rip
Piled from the others. Lefty went forward
| to welcome him.
why. Mr.. Blacardaw she exclaimed.
II didn't even know you were out of the
hospital I'm SO glad to see you again.
You came to talk to father. of course.
| can't venture to hope we young people
drew YOU here. I'll have him sent for. .
touching. the doorbell. Hes In his
| study
| AS servant departed in search OF
Reuben Standish she went on. striving by
! words to drown her dull terror:
You know every one here. 1 think.
Except perhaps-have you ever met Mr..
| Conover?"
Blacarda halted midway in step for
ward. and stood uncertain, gaping. Caleb,
| however, was charmingly at his ease.
| Hello. Blacarda.' he said effusively.
| Hear you've been laid up. Too bad!
| What was it that knocked you out?''
| Nothing that deserves mention from
any honest man. retorted Blacarda, his
voice trembling with rage and an ire
sistible fear.
LAS bad as that?' cried Conover. with
pleasant badnage. BE careful to keep
out OIL It's way III the luGI, SUI.
| These things that don't deserve men,
| ton are sometimes apt to be dangerous.
| Specially when you get a second attack
of EN-. Hey?"
The words, blatantly meaningless to all
save Caine and the man he addressed.
deprived Blacarda Of speech. The injured
man had an insane impulse to run
away. The coarse joviality of his con-
queror seemed more fraught with men,
ace than an open threat would have
been. The situation was saved by the
arrival of Reuben Standish. The banker.
after a word of recognition to Blacarda.
greeted Caleb with a warmth that sent
ice to Lettys heart. Not knowing that
her father. like Caine. was also CLEAN
ing in the Conover field (and with a
profit that bade fair to rehabilitate the
crumbiing Standish fortune), the girl
read In his cordiality only the news that
another had fallen under the master
sway of the Fighters will.
In the confusion Of several guests
simultaneous departure Lefty found a
CHARGE to slip away to her own room.
Nor cid she reappear until the sound Of a
loud Goodnight" and the crunch Of
heavy feet upon the walk told her that
Conover had at last gone. On the ve-
randa she found Caine, waiting in hope
of another glimpse of her.
What was the natter" he asked. So
licitously why did you run away from
us all? Conover waited long time. hop
ing you'd come back. At last told him
you had a sick headache. Then"
1T happened to be true she answered.
brokenly "Oh, AmZi, I'm so miserable.