The Washington times., 1910-12-09
E THREE KEYS
By FREDERIC ORMOND
Copyright 1873. by W J Watt & Coz

/ you replied that you would tell me after
l returned from Chicago Now, Morris.
1 nave made you think L was the gov
ernor S cable sent me home It wasn't
II was that wanted 70 hear the rest
Of the sentence"
LathrOp continued silent for so long
/ an interval that the other finally turned
TO stare curiOusly a. him
Yes, / VIII complete it IathrOD an
1 SWered- 1 VIII complete IL as would
nave done then But. Jack. 7 am not
sure 1 would say the same thing nov.
IT / had completed the sentence at that
TINE, Il would have been Unless you
want 70 marry q woman without Z
''Eh2 WHAT'S that2'' Niuinston ex-
claimed Then, he added quickly As
Tor that, Morris, I'd much rather have
one without a past. than with one But
you know about her past, don't YOU
I have said thar she is without one
JACK II Is a matter that cannot be dis
cussed, even between US 7 viii say only
one thing and that must end all dis
CuSSlOnS OF her God never made 2
plTeT' sWeeter, or truer WOmasl than
. CIarlta Ortega-"
THAT is just the idea I have had ever
since saw her But Morris Milling
Ton continued with a keen glance, y
more than half believe that you are IN
love with her, yourself
i more nan half believed Il rnvseTF 90
L-atnrOp admitted IN the smile which
accompanied the words, there was more
u $dllleSS Lllslu OF TllTru-
" haL2 While you are engaged 10
another came the Indignant excIama-
ton
Ny engagement with CarIa Trevor IS
az an end, Lathrop explained 1T viii
never be renewed
Mnlington uttered an ejaculation Of
dlsnay, and his tone, when he spoke.
was dismal
Look. here, Morris" he said Ar
you SONG TO ask Miss Ortega 10 marry
7 have already dorz so.- was the
quiet answer. MiliinsTCE regarded his
host with much 6isapDroval
You didn't lose any time, did yJu2.'
ne remarked and his voice was bitterly
sslIcaStlc- lie got W from his chair,
and crossed the rnOm 10 the fireplace
silently regarding the glowing Goals
Then he returned and calmly resumed
his seat
When is it coming on2-' he asked.
She has refused me-" Morris an
Refused vOu.' 8JfIIington bounded To
MS teet again, and crossed TO the crate
once more Here he turned his back 10
then hre and stood with his feet wide
araTt and MS hands behind him When
finally, he broke the silence, his voice
was Cravcr than its wont
odd man." he said. almost DIaiutive-
" ! am going to be downright serious
IGr once Tell me- Is there any reason
why ! should not ask CIaTita Ortega to
be nv wife?''
.-NCne," was the ready answer.
Sle IS. somehow IN your care, isn't
sheE Wilmington continued, curiOusIy.
Yes Lathrup replied. She Is really
althouEh not legally, my ward She is
trust that came TO me through q uecr1-
lar charm Of circumstances. which : am
not free to explain"
4 do not ask Cor any exclamation -
vas the prompt retOTt You have told
me enough The fact is, as you must
nave guessed, that ] fell heels over head
N love with her, at first sight Why
I've hardly done anything else since I
went to Chicago. but think Of her. I
made things hum there, Just in or
20 complete that sentence for me. And
now that I've heard it. Z is Of no i'm
poTtance whatever What 7 wish TO
know Is this Have Z your permission
70 pay my court to herr
lack LathrOp made reply. sDea bfur
with Impressive emphasis. There is nor
q nan whom I would rather see her
husband than you He hesitated for
q moment, and his eyes fell before the
shrewd gaze Of his friend
Except yOurselft'' sIilIinRton cried
and there was bitterness IN his voice
,,1.l L5aye me out OF the question.
Please LaIhrOp reioined. There is r,o+
= man IN whose hands I v-o11fd s0 v7-f7-
llEgly place her future. I do not think
/ mat ANYBODY would make more earn
est eTTort TOT her hauniDrSs and - -,
can win her shall be the frsr - So
God bless you both. But Won r,,Is.4 --,t
permit yourself TO indulge in false
Hot,es, 40 not think that Rita viii
ever ne your wife know that she
loves another" siiS
MlllinEton ran one hand around he
-o7-a5, stroked his mOustache. and then
Is that why she refused you7-.
Lathrop hesitated for a little br,t
Hnally' ne answered firmly:
s--.s,S IS, - literally that is why she re-
We'll Wilmington declared. 81 won't
give up until I'm beaten You have no
objection 70 ny calling upon ber7''
You viii not fiu6 her at the ATfI-inE-
ton she went away yesterday morning
" Shouf teth1g me where she was 90
ING she VIII notify me when she re-
Il rms. and shan let YOU know at once
That. Is al I can promise
The Continuation Of This Story VIII
De Found In Tomorrow
Tines